Until February 29, Steam holds its now traditional and popular Neo Fest, which gives pride of place to demos of all kinds, to see what the talented and inventive independent scene has in store for us for the future of video games.
More than 700 demos are therefore accessible for a week. To save you time, the JVFR editorial team offers you its top 5 demos not to be missed under any circumstances. We have tried to offer a different genre for each title, in order to offer a wide range of options for all tastes. It goes without saying that this is of course a purely subjective list. Without further ado, make way for the stars of this new edition of Steam Neo Fest!
IXION
At Clubic/JVFR, we like space, strategy games and management games (especially Nerces). So when a title mixes all these elements, our curiosity can only be piqued. And that's good, because IXION appears to be an excellent game in this area, courtesy of Bulwark Studios.
Not content with offering a beautiful chemistry between city builder and a hint of 4X, IXION also allows itself to coat the whole thing with truly superb plastic. Whether it's the scenery or the interface, the game exudes passionate work. As for the game itself, the gameplay mechanics fit together masterfully to offer us, in our humble opinion, one of the most promising titles of this Steam Neo Fest. We can't wait to play the final version, scheduled for sometime in 2022.
Download the IXION demoscathe
Another genre that we particularly like in the editorial staff: the nervous FPS that stain. Radical change of atmosphere after the construction of a space station, place to the destruction and the butchery with Scathe, developed by Damage State Ltd.
If you loved DOOM Eternal, you shouldn't be too disappointed. Scathe invites us to find our way through a vast maze and destroy everything that moves with the help of a vast arsenal of guns in a gameplay loop that is as nervous as it is demanding. The more the merrier, the less the enemies laugh, and Damage State Ltd has understood this well by offering a mode in cooperation up to four for more feasts between friends. Exit from the labyrinth planned for 2022.
Download Scathe DemoWarstride : Challenges
Because there is never enough FPS in a lifetime, and because this one holds a special place in our hearts, especially because the Dream Powered Games studio includes some of our dear readers, we can only warmly recommend Warstride: Challenges.
The title had also caught our eye during its announcement at E3 2022 by admirably mixing nervous shooter, speedrun and demanding levels, all powered by a colorful artistic direction boosted with amphetamines by a soundtrack that beat! If you like DOOM and Super Meat Boy, you'll love Warstride: Challenges!
Download Warstride Demo: ChallengesDaymare : 1994 - Sandcastle
If your favorite sin is more horror games, the Steam Neo Fest will spoil you with the demo of the intriguing Daymare: 1994 - Sandcastle. Prequel to the very solid Daymare: 1998 developed by Invader Studios and drawing very much inspiration from Resident Evil 2 Remake, this new opus promises to be even more successful than its elder in all respects, especially visually.
We find there the special agent Dalila Reyes in her outfit reminiscent of that of Isaac Clarke in Dead Space. Our protagonist will have to brave the horrors of a secret installation thanks to a wide range of state-of-the-art equipment. Fans of free exploration will be able to have a field day, but beware of the monstrosities lurking around every corner. Chills, nightmares and jump-scares guaranteed for a highly anticipated game in 2022.
Download Daymare demo : 1994 - Sandcastle
gatewalkers
While waiting for the end of the world and Diablo IV (whichever comes first), we try to survive by quenching our unquenchable thirst for hack'n slash. And that's exactly what Gatewalkers, developed by A2 Softworks, offers. Playable up to four, this title therefore offers a new vision of the survival game by adding a good dose of hack'n slash.
You will therefore be able to create a character and a build according to your convenience, but you will also have to think about gathering resources, making your equipment and managing your primary needs. This will unlock many skills that will not be too much in devious fights, especially against the game's many bosses. A clever mix of genres that we are watching closely, for a release scheduled for 2022.
Download Gatewalkers Demo
FAR : Changing Tides
Let's end our selection of must-see Steam Neo Fest demos with a light touch. With FAR: Changing Tides, Okomotive offers us the expression of the adventure game in its simplest and most fascinating device, all included in an artistic direction that clearly did not leave us indifferent.
As its name suggests, this title will offer us to sail in a flooded world and learn more about the remains of a civilization that has now disappeared. Contemplative in all its forms, FAR: Changing Tides brings with it a more than welcome breath of fresh air. And it won't be long before you're carried away by the adventure, the game's release being set for March 1, 2022.
Download the demo of FAR: Changing TidesThe festival of demos
Here is the end of our selection of demos that we warmly recommend as part of the Steam Neo Fest. With more than 700 titles to discover, you won't run out of inspiration until February 28 at 19 p.m. (Paris time).
Do not hesitate to let us know in the comments of the demos that particularly marked you, just to give a boost to the talented independent studios honored by the Steam Neo Fest, and architects of the video game of tomorrow. .
On the same subject :Steam offers Dear Esther for the 10th anniversary of the game's release
