Feb. 2025 - Steam Next Fest - Roundup

Here is my complete list of reviews and impressions for the games I checked out during the Steam Next Fest in Feb 2025.

1. Bao Bao’s Cozy Laundromat

I haven’t always done idle games, but I have done Spirit City Lofi Sessions, so I think I understand the appeal of an app that oozes chill vibes and lets you focus on other things. It’s worth looking into. I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be more than just vibes and “number goes up”.

Details:

• Steam Page: Bao Bao’s Cozy Laundromat
• Developer: Destroyer Doggo
• Publisher: Destroyer Doggo
• Release Date: Mar 5, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Idler, Desktop Companion, Cozy, Cute, Pixel Graphics, Relaxing
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

2. Camper Van - Make it Home

Looks wonderful. Vibes are good, but I don’t know what I’m supposed to do or how to advance.

Details:

• Steam Page: Camper Van - Make it Home
• Developer: Malapata Studio
• Publisher: Malapata Studio
• Release Date: Jun 7, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Cute, Casual, Relaxing, Puzzle, Family Friendly, Singleplayer
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

3. Solarpunk

The trailer for this game was pretty good but the gameplay didn’t really live up to it. Controller wasn’t supported. Things seemed a little janky. However, I see the promise and I’m going to chalk my issues up to potentially bad demo build. Wishlisted.

Details:

• Steam Page: Solarpunk
• Developer: Cyberwave
• Publisher: rokaplay
• Release Date: Jun 8, 2026
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Open World Survival Craft, Co-op, Base Building, Crafting, Building, Online Co-Op
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

4. Haste

Nice, bright runner game with a great sense of flow. I was worried that it would feel too loose or fast but it’s got a good flowstate.

Details:

• Steam Page: Haste
• Developer: Landfall
• Publisher: Evil Landfall?
• Release Date: Apr 1, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Fast-Paced, Parkour, Roguelite, 3D Platformer, Female Protagonist, Action
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

5. Is this seat Taken?

Hand drawn style fun, chill puzzler. The individual characters give good feedback and the puzzles are enjoyable with little story elements in between.

Details:

• Steam Page: Is this seat Taken?
• Developer: Poti Poti Studio
• Publisher: Wholesome Games Presents
• Release Date: Aug 7, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Puzzle, Casual, Relaxing, Cute, Logic, Cozy
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

6. Wanderstop

More beautiful and relaxing than I expected. I feared that it was a psychological horror story and it ended up being a meditative, enjoyable game about burnout and self care.

Details:

• Steam Page: Wanderstop
• Developer: Ivy Road
• Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
• Release Date: Mar 11, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Adventure, Simulation, Cozy, Farming Sim, Life Sim, Narrative
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

7. Deliver at All Costs

A 1950’s themed game, with driving and missions being the main goal. Controls are pretty good, music is nice. Lots of voice acting and a fair bit of cutscenes.

Details:

• Steam Page: Deliver at All Costs
• Developer: Studio Far Out Games
• Publisher: KONAMI
• Release Date: May 22, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Action, Singleplayer, Isometric, Noir, Physics, Arcade
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

8. Scaravan 66

Rockabilly Hades on Route 66 in a hot rod. There’s plenty to love here, and it will be interesting to see how it develops.

Details:

• Steam Page: Scaravan 66
• Developer: Lithic Entertainment Inc.
• Publisher: Lithic Entertainment Inc.
• Release Date: Coming soon
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Early Access, Action Roguelike, Third-Person Shooter, Horror, Driving, Shooter
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

9. Dust Raiders

Like Mad Max meeting FTL. Decent, but slightly more complicated than I was in the mood for. There’s a chance I’d like it, but I’m not sure.

Details:

• Steam Page: Dust Raiders
• Developer: Vixa Games
• Publisher: Games Operators
• Release Date: Jul 17, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Indie, Adventure, Post-apocalyptic, Simulation, Strategy, Real Time Tactics
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

10. Wheel World

Open world bike racer with art style like Rollerdrome and OlliOlli and decent controls with some story to go along with it. I’d buy this.

Details:

• Steam Page: Wheel World
• Developer: Messhof
• Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
• Release Date: Jul 23, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Adventure, Sports, Racing, Bikes, Cycling, Open World
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

11. Run Tavernquest

A comedy where you pretend to be the program like Zork for a user that’s not always the sharpest tool in the shed. Pretty fun.

Details:

• Steam Page: Run Tavernquest
• Developer: Silicon Sundial
• Publisher: Silicon Sundial
• Release Date: Jan 27, 2026
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Choose Your Own Adventure, Comedy, Text-Based, Interactive Fiction, Funny, Choices Matter
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

12. Gameday Mayhem

Interesting football concept, no bots. Tough to test and review.

Details:

• Steam Page: Gameday Mayhem
• Developer: Indifferent Penguin
• Publisher: Indifferent Penguin
• Release Date: Apr 4, 2025
• Game Modes: Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Casual, Sports, Local Multiplayer, Arcade, 2D, Funny
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

13. gogh Focus with your avatar

Like Spirit City Lofi Sessions but more customizable, but in a fiddly way. I think I already have a better option.

Details:

• Steam Page: gogh Focus with your avatar
• Developer: ambr
• Publisher: ambr
• Release Date: Apr 30, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Character Customization, Cute, Sandbox, Utilities, Multiplayer, Relaxing
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

14. OllieFrog Toad Skater

Tony Hawk Cozy Frog Skater. Nice. The art style and round, pixely frog make me want to root for this game to succeed. The gameplay is tight and it seems like a mix of a cozy game and a sports simulation.

Details:

• Steam Page: OllieFrog Toad Skater
• Developer: Mr. Thee
• Publisher: Mr. Thee
• Release Date: To be announced
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Sports, Skateboarding, Skating, PvP, Arcade, Cute
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

15. Govnovoz

Like Crazy Taxi if the art and controls were worse. It just didn’t work for me.

Details:

• Steam Page: Govnovoz
• Developer: KaiserGames
• Publisher: KaiserGames
• Release Date: Apr 28, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Racing, Memes, Casual, Driving, Arcade, Dark Comedy
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

16. Islands and Trains

A little creative sandbox, kind of like TownScaper but with the ability to create train tracks and add trains to your island town. Engaging and relaxing. Arguably the best vibes in all of Next Fest.

Details:

• Steam Page: Islands and Trains
• Developer: Akos Makovics
• Publisher: Future Friends Games
• Release Date: May 29, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: City Builder, Sandbox, Trains, Building, Minimalist, Relaxing
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

17. Hoop Fighters

Interesting basketball game but no bots to play against and lobbies were empty. Hard to judge.

Details:

• Steam Page: Hoop Fighters
• Developer: Team K6
• Publisher: Team K6
• Release Date: Aug 11, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Basketball, Party, Funny, Sports, Team-Based, Arcade
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

18. Iron Convoy

It was a genre I didn’t love and the storytelling felt a bit forced, without the ability to skip dialogue.

Details:

• Steam Page: Iron Convoy
• Developer: Two Nomads Studio
• Publisher: Two Nomads Studio
• Release Date: Coming soon
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Early Access, RPG, Open World, Sandbox, Turn-Based Combat, Turn-Based Strategy
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

19. Electro Bop Boxing League

A sports game, rhythm game, management game, with big band vibes all at the same time. My first experience was a little overwhelming but the vibes were good enough for me to want to return.

Details:

• Steam Page: Electro Bop Boxing League
• Developer: Developer Dob
• Publisher: Developer Dob
• Release Date: Apr 18, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Auto Battler, Rhythm, Robots, Minigames, Real Time Tactics, Resource Management
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

20. Descenders Next

Like the original Descenders but with snowboards and snow. I like the original, but don’t love it. Same goes for the sequel. It feels a little too loosey goosey in the controls but it’s still a pretty good time.

Details:

• Steam Page: Descenders Next
• Developer: RageSquid
• Publisher: No More Robots
• Release Date: Jul 21, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Action, Racing, Sports, Action Roguelike, Roguelike, Third Person
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

21. Goodlands

Dinosaurs digging up fossils. Interesting idea. The implementation is a little bland, but there’s a chance that this gets polished into something really cool.

Details:

• Steam Page: Goodlands
• Developer: thegeolojosh
• Publisher: thegeolojosh
• Release Date: Coming soon
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Dinosaurs, Exploration, Cute, Open World, Relaxing, Pixel Graphics
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

22. Monaco 2

I played the co-op mode with my kid. They really enjoyed it, and kind of dragged me along. I appreciate that there are several different ways to accomplish tasks, but I’m not sure if I enjoy the espionage and stealth mechanics, even though they are well done. Wishlisting because it might be a fun family game.

Details:

• Steam Page: Monaco 2
• Developer: Pocketwatch Games
• Publisher: Balor Games
• Release Date: Apr 10, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Co-op, Heist, Indie, Arcade, Top-Down, Action
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

23. Neon Apex

Neon soaked racer with lots of style and a great feeling of speed. It looks like there’s a pretty big story mode available.

Details:

• Steam Page: Neon Apex
• Developer: Repixel8
• Publisher: Numskull Games
• Release Date: May 22, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Racing, Arcade, Cyberpunk, Anime, Dystopian, Futuristic
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

24. Wordatro

Words on Stream but with a few more wrinkles. It seems to be more than just a Balatro clone.

Details:

• Steam Page: Wordatro
• Developer: Le Poulet
• Publisher: Abiding Bridge
• Release Date: Jun 23, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Strategy, Roguelike, Word Game, Roguelite, Solitaire, Minimalist
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

25. RippleFX

A reasonably interesting audio visualizer. Not sure how much it’s worth, but it’s interesting software with cool effects.

Details:

• Steam Page: RippleFX
• Developer: TIvy
• Publisher: TIvy Studio
• Release Date: Mar 31, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Music-Based Procedural Generation, Utilities, Software, Design & Illustration, Animation & Modeling, Indie
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

26. We took that trip

A VW hippie bus with a Mr Fusion as the gas tank, taking a road trip with an orange cat in a contemplative lofi road trip. It also features music from Purrple Cat, who is a lofi artist that I enjoy. Very interesting.

Details:

• Steam Page: We took that trip
• Developer: Lucito Loquito
• Publisher: indie.io
• Release Date: Coming soon
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Dialogue Heavy, Cozy, Driving, Cats, Open World, Simulation
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

27. Nitro Gen Omega

Interesting theme and art, but not really the style of game for me. I found it confusing, but I thought that being able to generate your own characters and have them appear in cutscenes would be pretty cool.

Details:

• Steam Page: Nitro Gen Omega
• Developer: DESTINYbit
• Publisher: DESTINYbit
• Release Date: May 12, 2026
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Strategy, RPG, Open World, Sandbox, Anime, Tactical RPG
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

28. Yes, Your Grace: Snowfall

Art and music are wonderful. The theme is interesting. The pixel art reminds me of Dave the Diver. However, the gameplay reminds me of the management aspects of Dave the Diver that keep me from doing the things I want. I think I’d have to be in a particular mood to want to manage a kingdom in addition to my normal life responsibilities. However, I’m still wishlisting because it’s a pretty cool vibe.

Details:

• Steam Page: Yes, Your Grace: Snowfall
• Developer: Brave At Night
• Publisher: Brave At Night
• Release Date: May 8, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Story Rich, Choices Matter, Singleplayer, Indie, Medieval, Pixel Graphics
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

29. Pico Drift

Driving was OK, sound effects were awful, graphics felt very generic and vague.

Details:

• Steam Page: Pico Drift
• Developer: Edenbyte
• Publisher: Edenbyte
• Release Date: 2026
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Racing, Automobile Sim, Level Editor, PvP, Sandbox, Multiplayer
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

30. Piece By Piece

Nice, bright art, and cozy vibes. A cozy repair em up with not too much pressure. I’m not sure how deep it goes, but it’s relaxing. Much better with controller than mouse and keyboard.

Details:

• Steam Page: Piece By Piece
• Developer: Gamkat
• Publisher: No More Robots
• Release Date: Mar 11, 2026
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Cozy, Shop Keeper, Simulation, Puzzle, Nature, 3D
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

31. Recharge

Decent remote controlled racing game. No bots. Raced online with a few folks. Menu system needs some work.

Details:

• Steam Page: Recharge
• Developer: Hondune Games
• Publisher: Hondune Games
• Release Date: Jul 18, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Early Access, Racing, Simulation, Sports, Level Editor, Action
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

32. Neo Junk City

I loved the art aesthetic and chiptune music for getting me in the right frame of mind for the game, and I appreciated the references to older games within the minigames of the game, but I got a bit stuck in the investigation process. I might want either a story mode or a walkthrough to help me see everything that this game has to offer.

Details:

• Steam Page: Neo Junk City
• Developer: Starblade Games
• Publisher: Starblade Games
• Release Date: Q3 2026
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Point & Click, RPG, Pixel Graphics, Comedy, Retro, Sci-fi
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

33. Road Toads

Interesting but I couldn’t get my controller to work.

Details:

• Steam Page: Road Toads
• Developer: Soweli Digital
• Publisher: Soweli Digital
• Release Date: Coming soon
• Game Modes: Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Action, Local Multiplayer, Casual, Controller, Arcade, Cute
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

34. Rocket Boots Mania Space Train

Endless runner on a space train. Art and controls are pretty good, but I don’t understand the reason that I’d want to keep playing other than to beat my high score.

Details:

• Steam Page: Rocket Boots Mania Space Train
• Developer: Contra Concept
• Publisher: Contra Concept
• Release Date: Coming soon
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Parkour, Casual, Runner, Procedural Generation, Action, Character Customization
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

35. Nautical Survival

Kind of like a mix between LUFTRAUSERS and a survivor game. Nautical theme and pixely graphics are nice. Worth a follow.

Details:

• Steam Page: Nautical Survival
• Developer: Idan Rooze
• Publisher: Idan Rooze
• Release Date: Apr 9, 2026
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Action Roguelike, Arena Shooter, Bullet Hell, Roguelite, Sailing, Top-Down Shooter
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

36. Kaya’s Prophecy

This is like a more polished version of stacklands, a living card game. This game also includes some branching exploration elements to choose challenges, and some slay the spire style card battles from time to time. An interesting mix of inspirations.

Details:

• Steam Page: Kaya’s Prophecy
• Developer: Jérémie & Thibaut
• Publisher: Yogscast Games
• Release Date: Apr 10, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Strategy, City Builder, Tactical, Colony Sim, Card Game, Turn-Based Combat
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

37. Einstein’s Cats

A decent puzzle game using deductive reasoning with nice arts and lots of cats. Pretty relaxing.

Details:

• Steam Page: Einstein’s Cats
• Developer: Firebird Games LLC
• Publisher: Firebird Games LLC
• Release Date: Mar 31, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Cats, Puzzle, Cozy, Relaxing, Logic, Casual
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

38. Tiny Racing

The racing is OK, but the cars are identical, and there’s only one track. Tough to make a purchase decision based on what’s available.

Details:

• Steam Page: Tiny Racing
• Developer: 171Dev
• Publisher: 171Dev
• Release Date: Jun 5, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Racing, Sports, Driving, Arcade, 2.5D, 2D
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

39. Dunk Dunk

Halfway between soccer and rugby. Fun, cartoony characters. Fun bots. Good music.

Details:

• Steam Page: Dunk Dunk
• Developer: Badgerhammer Limited
• Publisher: Playtonic Friends
• Release Date: May 8, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Party Game, Local Multiplayer, Basketball, Family Friendly, Character Customization, 4 Player Local
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

40. Jitter

Interesting monochrome art vibes. Tight mechanics similar to subterrania but without gravity. Story centers a sentient AI character in the narrative parts. Pretty cool.

Details:

• Steam Page: Jitter
• Developer: Berko Games
• Publisher: Berko Games
• Release Date: Nov 6, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Early Access, Space, Open World, Adventure, Exploration, Space Sim
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

41. Despelote

Halfway between a game and a narrative experience, the storytelling was very powerful and the vibes were great. It feels like I’m next to history as it happened.

Details:

• Steam Page: Despelote
• Developer: Julián Cordero
• Publisher: Panic
• Release Date: May 1, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Adventure, Football (Soccer), Emotional, Sandbox, Story Rich, Interactive Fiction
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

42. Drop Duchy

A mix between Tetris, Hand of Fate, and Carcassonne. This creates an interesting puzzle game that I will keep my eye on.

Details:

• Steam Page: Drop Duchy
• Developer: Sleepy Mill Studio
• Publisher: The Arcade Crew
• Release Date: May 5, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Falling Blocks, Turn-Based Tactics, Card Battler, Real Time Tactics, Roguelite, Puzzle
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

43. Duck Detective : The Ghost of Glamping

Humorous detective game with a pretty forgiving story mode and a distinctive feel. Worth a look.

Details:

• Steam Page: Duck Detective : The Ghost of Glamping
• Developer: Happy Broccoli Games
• Publisher: Happy Broccoli Games
• Release Date: May 22, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Casual, Detective, Adventure, Investigation, Short, Cute
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes