Steam Next Fest 2025 Recap: Morzeey's Picks!
GREETINGS GAMERS!!
I am sure you all know, but a massive Steam Next Fest just ended, and there were some incredible games to play. Like, I am talking incredible! I wasn’t able to try all the demos that I wanted to, but I couldn’t stop myself from diving into Steam Pages, watching trailers, and putting together a list of games of my Top 5 from this Steam Next fest (not including Final Sentence that we saw on the Thermal Radar which we will pretend is an honorable mention to this list).
Some of these games are releasing in 2026, some are releasing this Halloween, so check the release dates listed! Ultimately though, let’s cut the yap (pun intended - you'll see), and just jump right into things here!
Here are 5 games from Steam Next Fest 2025, that are definitely making it to my Steam Library!
Slots & Daggers
Release Date: October 24, 2025
Imagine combining a slot machine’s spinning reels with fantasy roguelike combat where your luck and your blade both matter. That’s Slots & Daggers, a compact indie game from developer Friedemann that drops you into weird fantasy vaults where you fight monsters and spin slots instead of drawing cards. Each spin gives you a weapon, shield or coin tokens, (depending on your choices) and the combination of those symbols triggers attacks, defensive moves, or money gains. What you have is a mix of strategy and chance; do you gamble on triples to trigger massive damage or play it safe and stack coins for upgrades? The monsters have different attack moves as well which blends into your strategy which is simply... chefs kiss. The demo that was part of Steam Next Fest had me hooked! The game leans into that exact loop: short runs, fast spins, goblins, retro visuals, and a noisy “pling-pling” soundtrack. If you’re into weird blends of mechanics (slot machines + roguelike) and you’ve got a short attention span but big ambition, this one’s a gem you have to add to your list!
Tears of Metal
Projected Release: Late 2025
Tears of Metal hits like a Highlander fantasy hack-and-slash: you’re a Scottish warrior leading your battalion into war, and everywhere you turn, enemies are waiting. The game looks like a taste of pure chaos from the get-go and the trailer had me saying, “YUP” almost instantly. It's a mash of co-op or solo runs across handcrafted battlefields, perks tied to clans that shape your combat style, and hordes of enemies to carve through. Unlike some hack-and-slashers that hand you a billion combos, this one emphasizes simple synergy; clan perks stack, artifact combos matter, and the rush comes when your build finally clicks and you wreck entire waves. The art leans comic-book with sketched highlights, making battles feel explosive and visually distinct. That first run where you chain attacks through three enemies and see numbers pop off? That's the moment! For players hungry for visceral gameplay loops and strong flavor, Tears of Metal is shaping up, definitely put this one on your list!
Half Sword
Release Date: TBA
If you’ve ever wondered what medieval combat feels like when every swing, block and stumble is driven by physics, Half Sword might be your kind of brutal. This physics-based medieval combat simulator drops you into melee arenas with historically accurate XV-century weapons and armor, where fights aren’t scripted at all. They’re messy, wild, and mostly hilarious. The demo that was part of Steam Next Fest was positioned as a standout of the for its raw appeal: you start as a beggar thrown into tournaments, improvise with a candlestick, stool or real sword, and fight your way up. There’s no magic, no auto-lock; it’s you, your timing, your aim, plus the enviro-chaos of physics sending swords flying and armor clanking. Players say it’s chaotic but in the best way, and that the sandbox of brutal melee is what keeps them clicking “Next Fight.” If you’ve got a thirst for gritty, visceral combative loops, Half Sword is already there!
YAPYAP
Release Date: Late 2025
Imagine being an apprentice of a Master Wizard and your mission is simple: break into the rival Arch Mage's tower, cause chaos, loot, and vanish with out a trace! That’s YAPYAP, a new co-op horror-comedy game where up to six players actually yell spells, use proximity chat to coordinate the job and explore, and dodge magical beasts in a creepy castle. Players love the chaos, the voice-based mechanics (shout a spell name, cast it), and the absurdity of combining heist-style gameplay with horror tendencies. This is one where I didn't get to try the demo myself, but the trailer has me feeling Content Warning sort of vibes, which I am totally here for in this genre. And as such, the hilarity comes from the fear of wondering when the monsters will flood in while you’re mid-spell. If you’re looking for something playful yet tense, YAPYAP nails the blend.
REANIMAL
Release Date: 2026
From the creators of Little Nightmares, REANIMAL is an upcoming horror-adventure game that drops you into a bleak world of abandoned mills, trainyards and missing friends. The Next Fest Demo gave a taste of cooperative horror with tight camera angles, atmosphere-heavy visuals, and the signature blend of innocence and dread. Everyone who said Little Nightmares III isn’t it, well this is where it is. You play as siblings or friends in co-op or solo, navigating environments that feel designed to unsettle oneself. The production value is high, the tone immersive, and early commentary says this might be the next horror standout. If you’re in the mood for something dark, narrative-driven and made to be played with someone beside you (or late at night alone), REANIMAL is definitely the place to look.
And there you have it! And really, that was just scratching the surface. There were HUNDREDS of demos available during the recent Steam Next Fest! I would love to hear what your favorites were and if these made the list for any of you! Let’s chat about it in the comments below and in the Alienware Discord server!
