Watch Out for These Steam Next Fest Games

Ah, Steam Next Fest is always a good time to check out all the weird and wonderful games coming out soon. Or sooner or later, you know how game development can be. From solo developers to AAA studios, they’re all vying for your attention and there are just way too many games to try out, and not enough time to play them all, so here are only some of the games you should give a shot (and maybe a wishlist)!

P.O.N.

The Batman Arkham series has proven time and again how awesome being a hero who can stalk through the shadows can be; silently taking down enemies one by one and using fear tactics to make thugs shake in their boots. However, what if YOU were playing one of those thugs?

Watch your back and keep an eye on the shadows.

Although previously explored in the Batman: Arkham Origins multiplayer (which was actually pretty fun), P.O.N. is all about this premise, pitting you and your friends against a seemingly unstoppable vigilante (who is definitely legally distinct from Batman) in this co-op survival horror experience that will make you jump at every shadow. Can you survive the night, or will you become another victim of this dark knight? Coming out in Q1 of 2026.

Bobo Bay

The Chao Garden was one of the best side modes to play between action-packed levels in Sonic Adventure, and guess what? NewFutureKids is developing and publishing a game entirely based on it, with a whole lot more bells and whistles. Raise your little friends, mash them together (or, um, breed), and have them compete in a variety of competitions.

Nature and Nurture

It's coming out on the 29th of April 2026, but you should be playing it right now! No, seriously, the demo was already available for a while. Go check it out for yourself.

PRAGMATA

This highly anticipated CAPCOM game has been shown and delayed time and again, but we are rapidly approaching Pragmata’s release date.

A man and his robot daughter

Taking place on a seemingly lifeless research station on the Moon, spacefarer Hugh and android Diana find themselves targeted by the hostile AI governing the station, sending out horrifying robotic creatures to destroy them. The two must work together to defeat the AI and return to Earth. With fast-paced combat combining gunplay and hacking, it seems like it’ll be a contender for Game of the Year! Let’s hope it isn’t delayed… again and that 24th of April date sticks!

REPLACED

Developed by Sad Cat Studios and published by Thunderful Publishing, REPLACED is a cyberpunk 2.5D action platformer where you play as R.E.A.C.H., an AI trapped in a human body. In an alternate 1980’s America, shaped by a nuclear catastrophe and tainted by corporate corruption, you’ll be exploring Phoenix-City to uncover the truth behind your creation, and bring down the Corporation by exposing their hidden secrets.

Another day of a painful existence.

With handcrafted pixel art enhanced by modern visual effects, a moody synth-focused soundtrack, and dark and eerie world, REPLACED is shaping up to be quite the cinematic single-player experience. Check out the full game on the 13th of March 2026.

Echoes of Red

Ah, who doesn’t love a chaotic survivors-like, especially one that gives you tons of guns to play with? Echoes of Red pits you against an endless horde of enemies using as many weapons as you can carry, with the only colours being shades of black, off-white, and crimson. Expect the kill count to reach the millions if you’re insane enough at this game.

Nothing but black, white, and RED

I really can’t tell you much more about this game other than hoping your computer can handle thousands of bullets and enemies filling the screen. The full game comes out on the 3rd of March 2026.

MUPO

Coming out in Q2 2026, MUPO is a rhythm game that makes your entire keyboard your instrument! Developed and published by Finley Studios, this game will be driven by skill, creativity, and the community with leaderboards and custom-made tracks.

Type to the beat.

Do you think you have what it takes to type to the beat? Well, at the very least you can use this game to improve your touch-typing skills. Even a writer like me sometimes glances down at their keyboard to check if they’re hitting the right keys.

KLITTER

Developed by ENU and published by CreativeForge Games. KLITTER is a fast-paced arena-based shooter with a glitchcore aesthetic. Following in the footsteps of DOOM (2016), every shot, every dash, and every kill is a choice that needs to be made in split seconds as you fight off all sorts of weird creatures who want you dead. Staying still isn’t an option here; freeze up and you’re good as dead.

Raining neon and bullets.

With unique visuals that will either leave you in awe or leave you overwhelmed, and gameplay that will push your skills to the limit, you may have to wait on this one as KLITTER doesn’t have a release window set.

Meowniverse

For a calmer individual who loves cats, Superjoy Co., Ltd. has you covered as they’ve developed and published Meowniverse: a game about merging endless cats right on your desktop.

Desktop pets.

Collect cute little kittens to complete your collection, and embark on journeys to earn coins and fish to get you more cats! I… This might be too distracting for me to get myself, but if you’re willing to, the full version is coming out some time in 2026.

Forastero

…Gonna be honest here, this is just God Hand but with cowboys and outlaws (that’s not to say God Hand didn’t already have that…). I was only reminded that this was a thing when I stumbled upon it, and saw it had based its cover art on a JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure meme. No, I’m serious, go look it up.

Punch your way through the West!

I think Neoane Games (which consists of one person) is kinda flying too close to the Sun here, but there are people who love God Hand and anyone willing to make a more modern, refined version of it has my attention. Forastero is coming out soon, so get ready to check out an insane beat-‘em-up where the law of the land is determined more by fists than bullets.

Sniper Camouflage Orange Spy Warrior I Buried Two Bodies in the Garden and the Police Haven't Figured Out Yet That They're Missing Because They Were a Lonely Old Couple Who Had No Relatives Simulator 2026

It… It just says it is a sniper simulator with “sponge bob” graphics. Well, um… don’t judge a book by its cover…? I mean, Cruelty Squad exists and that’s a totally good game even though it looks like the 90’s vomited on it before it was deep-fried and coded while on a variety of illegal expired drugs.

I don't... um... I...

I don’t know what else to say here other than it’s coming out in 2026.

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Those are some of my picks for games you can try out, but that’s just based on my tastes (and one weird-ass game). There are thousands that I can’t cover, so check it out yourself and find a game that you’ll fall in love with. Unfortunately, I do have to warn you that there are quite a few games developed with AI participating in Next Fest, so watch out. And remember to wishlist the titles you love because developers love it when that number goes up and it’ll let you know when it comes out!