I played a fair few games during Steam’s Next Fest, these are my top three finds that have rocketed to the top of my wish-list.
I didn’t expect this one to impress me as much as it did, but within 15 minutes, I was completely hooked. I found myself thinking, ‘Damn, I need this full game NOW.’
Shape of Dreams is an action roguelite that blends MOBA-style abilities (think League of Legends or DOTA) into a fast-paced, single-player experience. As someone who has spent too much of their limited time on this planet playing League, I’ve frequently thought to myself after a toxic experience on the game “man wouldn’t these ability mechanics work well in a solo format—this game proves it can be done right.
The abilities feel incredibly satisfying to use. You know how, in some games, attacks feel weightless—like enemies just absorb damage until they vanish? That’s not the case here. Every ability lands with real impact, reinforced by animations and effects that make it clear your attacks matter.
The gameplay is incredibly satisfying, and I can’t wait to experiment with different builds when the full game drops in May.
Unlike Shape of Dreams this one did not come at a surprise to me. I am a huge fan of the first Monster Train, and truly believe it is one of the most underappreciated deck builders out there (2nd only to Slay the Spire).
This demo proved that the IP has more to give and the slight changes to mechanics and new deck ideas as me eager to jump back on board that train to hell.
And if you haven’t played it already, go play this first.
I’m a sucker for anything Lovecraftian, so the moment I see that influence, I’m immediately hooked. Combine it with base-building and a monstrous train, and you can consider my money yours.
In this game, you awaken to a world utterly annihilated by the arrival of the Great Old Ones—cosmic beings inspired by Lovecraft’s mythos. You play as a Dreamer, bound to your Railgod—a fusion of a train and an eldritch horror that craves flesh.
As you travel between outposts, you expand your train, enhance your abilities, and fend off relentless enemies.
While the combat didn’t fully sell me, the game’s atmosphere and theme were more than enough to pique my interest. I’m looking forward to diving deeper into it later this year.
