I love puzzle games, and one of the games I checked out during Steam Next Fest was WheelMates, a two-player puzzle game that has you and a friend playing as remote-control cars. The first thing I noticed about WheelMates was its environment. The developers created a world where I really felt like I was driving around a house. The demo had me racing through a kitchen, navigating air vents, and exploring a garage. The attention to detail in each area adds to the immersion, and

Discover the charming world of Dodo Duckie! Dive into a unique platforming adventure with Dodo Duckie and explore adorable animal friends.

I set out to sprout as many houseplants as possible over Roger and Zeb. Sprout, a very vibrant colorful game about keeping houseplants alive, has an element of high risk. I very quickly learned that each round presented different challenges and even a rouge-like variation depending on what plants I sprouted or if I gained a roommate card. What made it even more challenging was that each round started with a pot of nutrients that I could lose with each number card that was dra

Looking for your next cozy game obsession? Our Potted Pets preview dives into the mechanics of raising adorable plant-based pets in a beautiful pixel art setting. Learn about the crafting, decorating, and gardening features that make this greenhouse feel like home.

Farmbotic, a game that mixes the community building of Stardew Valley and the automation of factory games, I had to try this game out and see if it could truly scratch both itches.

Starting as a company focused on game mats, GameHead has expanded into board games, creating some of the most interesting concepts I’ve seen in a while. Their games are easy to learn, quick to set up, and fast to play, which I really appreciate. Lately, a lot of the games I’ve been playing seem to spend thirty minutes or more just explaining rules and getting everything ready. That’s not the case with GameHead games.

One of the most beautiful games I played at PAX East was Memoria Wake. It’s an isometric action game where you control a cat-like creature exploring a world that feels inspired by games like Tunic and more recent Zelda titles. While the art is stunning, the mechanics still felt a bit rough, leaving me with some apprehension.

Where this game truly shines and earned one of our Best of PAX 2026 awards was in the accessibility of the drawings.

when the fall Six One Indie showcase showed off this little isometric game called Moldwasher I knew I had to play this game, then I was lucky enough to be invited to Anshar Publishing’s booth at PAX to try it out.

One of my favorite things I got to do at PAX East was play Godzilla the Roleplaying Game from IDW Games. It’s rare that I get to be a player in TTRPGs, since I’m usually the one running the game, so this was a refreshing change of pace.

I love my Nitro Deck from CRKD for my Nintendo Switch. It’s saved me from plenty of hand cramps, and features like remappable buttons and turbo functionality make it feel great to use. So when CRKD announced the Nitro Deck 2 for the Switch 2, I was immediately interested. I had a chance to check it out PAX East 2026, and after getting some hands-on time with it, I’m already looking forward to the finished product.

I loved Virtua Fighter growing up. It was the first fighting game I played where the characters felt like they had truly distinct movesets, like Shun Di, the drunken kung fu master (yes, I watched Drunk Master a lot). I’m also a big fan of roguelikes, so when I heard about Poly Fighter, a new roguelike fighting game that takes inspiration from games like Virtua Fighter, I knew I had to check it out.

I’m fairly new to auto-battlers, and I wasn’t sure if the genre would really appeal to me. From what I’ve played, a lot of them tend to feel pretty similar. That’s where Order Automatica stands out. While it is an auto-battler, there’s a surprising amount of strategy during the prep phase before each battle begins. I got to go hands on with the game at PAX East.

In ShantyTown, I play as a surveyor sent to different areas to design homes and businesses. What starts as simply placing objects quickly turns into a fun, relaxing experience where my creativity can really run wild.

Awaysis is a stunningly crafted combat adventure with intuitive, accessible gameplay. I enjoyed it so much that I pulled my wife and sister in to try the multiplayer mode with me. My wife was especially drawn to the story and is already excited to see where the journey goes next.

Capture your inner zen with Muri: Wildwoods demo from Steam Next Fest 2026.

I love being creative, and when a cozy game allows me to express creativity, you can bet I’m going to play it. That’s exactly what Ourlands offers. I played the island creator during Steam Next Fest, and I’m excited to see what the full release will offer.

I didn’t think they could do it, but they did. Poncle has once again proven they have a hit on their hands with Vampire Crawlers, a game that takes concepts from Vampire Survivors and applies them to a roguelike deckbuilder. I played the demo during Steam Next Fest, and I can’t wait to see the final version.

Grab your friends, a sled, and some hot chocolate as you slide down the mountain in Sledding Game!

It’s Steam Next Fest again, which means checking out a lot of cool demos. If you’ve been following us for a while, you know that I’m a fan of roguelikes. What better time to check out new games than during Steam Next Fest? One such game is Pass the Fear, and after my time with the demo, I can’t wait for the full release.