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Steam Next Fest is among my most anticipated events of the year because I can spend the whole day playing games in search of interesting titles.

In 2025, Steam Next Fest presented me with games such as Ball x Pit and Absolum, and they soon became two of my favorite releases that year when I played and reviewed them. So especially now, as Next Fest approaches, I try to play as much as possible to discover what intriguing hidden gems the year might have in store for PC gaming.

Here are some titles that grabbed my attention, and I can’t wait to explore more of them soon, whether they release this year or later.

Top Steam Next Fest Demos – February 2026

Vampire Crawlers

• Vampire Crawlers Steam page

Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard in Vampire SurvivorsIt has a long title, but it’s also one of the most exciting games I’ve tried this year. Combining elements of a dungeon crawler, Vampire Survivors, and a card battle game, this title offers endless enjoyable gameplay. I’ve already spent several hours on the demo, and I’m eager to dive into the full version.

Piece by Piece

• Piece by Piece Steam page

This highly rewarding and comfortable puzzle game lets you take charge of puzzle pieces and a small character inside them. Arrange the pieces correctly, navigate within them, and reach the objective.

REPLACED

• REPLACED Steam page

This trial version took me some time to get to, but I’m happy I eventually played it, as I now grasp the excitement. I haven’t experienced anything quite like it.REPLACEDa 2D platformer featuring an exceptionally beautiful pixel art style, along with someBatman Arkham-like combat and Resident Evil– style documents to aid in expanding the backstory.

Alabaster Dawn

• Alabaster Dawn Steam page

A 2.5D ARPG has never appeared or been experienced more impressively. This game merges Hades– a combat system that blends with the world creation, conversations, riddles, and cinematic sequences of a traditional RPG, resulting in an experience that felt like a “yes” within just a few minutes of playing.

Last Man Sitting

• Last Man Sitting Steam page

What occurs if you merge Megabonk Gameplay set in a 2000s environment where household appliances come to life in large numbers for you to eliminate while moving around in a rolling chair? That’s it. Plus, it includes cooperative and player-versus-player modes.

Spark Ignites

• Spark Ignites Steam page

Another pixel-art visual delight, Spark Ignites brings back memories of the Octopath Traveler series with its stunning visuals. However, what I appreciate the most about the demo is the dynamic camera during turn-based battles, moving in and out of the scene to produce a very attractive effect.

Armatus

• Armatus Steam page

Armatusis a rogue-like third-person shooter, evocative of titles such asHades and Returnal, and it takes place in the “demon-filled remnants of Paris.” Run, shoot, engage in close combat, upgrade your abilities, and repeat as much as you like.

LUCID

• LUCID Steam page

Fans of platforming games, prepare to add this one to your wishlist.LUCID is a remarkable Metroidvania (the developers refer to it as a Celestoidvania) featuring accurate platforming, discovery, and an outstanding musical score.

Which demos from Steam Next Fest in February 2026 do you enjoy the most? Share your thoughts in the comments section, and I’ll make an effort to explore them all.

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