June 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 June 2025.

1. Baki Hanma Blood Arena

I’d really like for there to be more spiritual successors to the Punch Out Franchise, since the last official installment was a Nintendo Wii game. It looks like Baki Hanma Blood Arena is throwing its hat into the ring as a possible successor to the title. It appears to be an anime style 2D fighting game with very similar thematic elements to Punch Out. It’s certainly a promising demo, and I’m wishlisting it in the hopes of reliving more Punch Out glory. As a note, Purple Tree, the developer, also made another Punch Out style game called Thunder Ray that I have not played but the trailer looks really cool.

Details:

• Steam Page: Baki Hanma Blood Arena
• Developer: Purple Tree S R L
• Publisher: Purple Play LLC
• Release Date: Sep 11, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Action, 2D Fighter, Arcade, Anime, 2D, Hand-drawn
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

2. Ball x Pit

Ball x Pit is a new take on the old school Breakout or brick breaking genre. It adds some modern elements to an old game type and keeps a consistent theme by referring to the defeated kingdom of “Ballbalon” and the goal of restoring the kingdom to glory. I will watch this game to see what it looks like in its final form, but it’s already fun to play right now, even without getting deep into the roguelike elements that it has included.

Details:

• Steam Page: Ball x Pit
• Developer: Kenny Sun and Friends
• Publisher: Devolver Digital
• Release Date: Oct 15, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Action, Roguelite, Arcade, Roguelike, Bullet Hell, Action Roguelike
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

3. Chill with You : Lo-Fi Story

Chill with you appears to be halfway between a productivity app and a narrative game. Generally, the vibe is similar to Spirit City: Lofi Sessions, but the avatar is a different character that you hang out with instead of an avatar of yourself. There are many productivity similarities, but instead of collecting being the main goal, it appears that getting to know this random girl with glasses is the goal. It looks like the game is being developed in Japanese, as some of the localization still needs some polish. Overall, it’s a very promising demo and I will be wishlisting it to follow along.

Details:

• Steam Page: Chill with You : Lo-Fi Story
• Developer: Nestopi Inc.
• Publisher: Nestopi Inc.
• Release Date: Nov 16, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Relaxing, Casual, Atmospheric, Anime, Utilities, Visual Novel
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

4. DAY OF DRIFT

DAY OF DRIFT feels like a game that is the love child of RC Pro Am and Fast and The Furious Tokyo Drift. The music is catchy and crunchy, the controls allow for gamers to gain in skill, and the game tracks drift points so that you can show off your skills to your friends or just try to beat your own top score. I am looking forward to the full game.

Details:

• Steam Page: DAY OF DRIFT
• Developer: MEWSTURBO
• Publisher: TurboCatSoftware
• Release Date: Jul 9, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Racing, Arcade, Automobile Sim, Driving, Top-Down, Action
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

5. Dead As Disco

Dead as Disco is a combination of a Beat Em Up and a Rhythm Game. The art style is neon soaked goodness. There is a mode that is like Streets of Rage, and another game that is closer to Beat Saber. The demo also includes the ability to upload your own music and bash to the beats of your favorite songs. Totally radical.

Details:

• Steam Page: Dead As Disco
• Developer: Brain Jar Games, Inc.
• Publisher: Brain Jar Games, Inc.
• Release Date: May 5, 2026
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Early Access, Rhythm, Beat ’em up, Spectacle fighter, Hack and Slash, Music
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

6. Decks of the Damned

Decks of the Damned is a real time card strategy game with moving cards, similar to Stacklands and Kaya’s Prophecy. I appreciate that they have themed it in a vampire style. It’s due out near the end of 2025, and I’m intrigued with how the later rounds of the game will integrate more vampire story elements in the crafting, the events, and the cards.

Details:

• Steam Page: Decks of the Damned
• Developer: Thorian Games
• Publisher: Goblinz Publishing
• Release Date: Oct 21, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Card Game, Management, Survival, Card Battler, Roguelite, Crafting
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

7. Dream Runner

Dream Runner is a precision puzzle platformer with shades of Celeste but with a more ethereal pastel vibe. I had the pleasure of meeting the developers at MDEV and I am happy to see that the different traversal elements and tight controls create an experience that is part puzzle game, part precision platformer, and all good vibes.

Details:

• Steam Page: Dream Runner
• Developer: Glass Arcade
• Publisher: Glass Arcade
• Release Date: Coming soon
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Adventure, Platformer, Puzzle, 2D Platformer, Precision Platformer, Puzzle Platformer
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

8. Easy Delivery Co.

Easy Delivery Co is similar to a combination of a cozy delivery game and Silent Hill. I’m not sure I would have ever expected the combination of the fog, blocky pixels, and self directed delivery missions. It was a surprise for me to enjoy this game, as I’m not usually a spooky game fan, but I appreciate the winter weather and delivery vehicle tunes.

Details:

• Steam Page: Easy Delivery Co.
• Developer: Sam C
• Publisher: Oro Interactive
• Release Date: Sep 18, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Relaxing, Driving, Singleplayer, Open World, Cute, Exploration
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

9. git gud

git gud seems to basically be a git tutorial. It runs in the command line. It doesn’t seem to be a game, just a command line tutorial. I think I’m fine.

Details:

• Steam Page: git gud
• Developer: Fishagon LLC
• Publisher: Fishagon LLC
• Release Date: Jun 17, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Programming, Puzzle, Typing, Education, Trivia, Word Game
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

10. Sky Dreamer

This is another productivity app, but it’s just not as good as some of its competitors.

Details:

• Steam Page: Sky Dreamer
• Developer: Mario Jacob
• Publisher: Mario Jacob
• Release Date: Aug 4, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Relaxing, Casual, Cute, Atmospheric, Stylized, Utilities
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

11. GOAL3

The game looks OK, but the sound and gameplay kind of suck.

Details:

• Steam Page: GOAL3
• Developer: thirteen
• Publisher: LT-Games
• Release Date: Jan 17, 2026
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Sports, Arcade, eSports, Colorful, Family Friendly, Relaxing
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

12. Fishing Alone

Fishing Alone is a robot fishing game. The gameplay loop is just fine, but not great. The graphics were pretty nice, but the localization and mechanics were a little janky.

Details:

• Steam Page: Fishing Alone
• Developer: TheSQUID
• Publisher: TheSQUID
• Release Date: Coming soon
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Exploration, Fishing, RPG, Collectathon, Open World, Sailing
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

13. World Hockey ‘88

World Hockey 88 seems like a modern retelling of Ice Hockey for the NES, but I’m not sure if I ever figured out the additional things that it had to offer in addition to the original game.

Details:

• Steam Page: World Hockey ‘88
• Developer: Phantasma Digital
• Publisher: Phantasma Digital
• Release Date: Jun 20, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Sports, Hockey, PvP, Arcade, 2.5D, 3D
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

14. Evel Knievel

Evel Knievel is an imaginative take on the motorcycle “trials” genre. You go through a variety of stunt challenges that culminate in increasingly long, ridiculous jumps. I have enjoyed trials style games like this in the past, and this theme is a delightful throwback while also adding new elements to the genre.

Details:

• Steam Page: Evel Knievel
• Developer: Barnstorm Games
• Publisher: Happy Home Games, LLC
• Release Date: Jun 19, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Action, Motorbike, Simulation, 2D, Physics, Funny
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

15. Backpack Survivors

Backpack Survivors is definitely a survivors game. I was hoping to see something either cozy or revolutionary with the backpack upgrade mechanic, but it didn’t really do it for me.

Details:

• Steam Page: Backpack Survivors
• Developer: CM Game Studio
• Publisher: CM Game Studio
• Release Date: Apr 13, 2026
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Early Access, Bullet Heaven, Action Roguelike, Bullet Hell, Roguelite, PvE
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

16. Goodbye Seoul

Goodbye Seoul is a narrative tale in a dystopian sci fi future. It’s part walking simulator, part puzzle game, and part narrative journey. The art fits the vibe, with pixel art that helps reinforce the setting of dystopian South Korea. I’m not sure where the story is heading, but depending on the price, I’d be willing to go along on the ride.

Details:

• Steam Page: Goodbye Seoul
• Developer: JINO Games
• Publisher: NEOWIZ
• Release Date: Coming soon
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Story Rich, Post-apocalyptic, Emotional, Pixel Graphics, 2D Platformer, Puzzle Platformer
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

17. Into The Grid

Into the Grid is a combination between a card battler and a computer hacking adventure game. I have always been a big fan of Shadowrun for the Sega Genesis, especially the Matrix runs in cyberspace. Seeing this game is a reminder that the fun that I had back then is potentially repeatable with some different mechanics and lessons learned from modern game design. Plus, there’s a bunch of robots.

Details:

• Steam Page: Into The Grid
• Developer: Flatline Studios
• Publisher: Flatline Studios
• Release Date: Nov 10, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Early Access, Roguelike Deckbuilder, Dungeon Crawler, Deckbuilding, Roguelite, Cyberpunk
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

18. Mech Assembler: Model Kit builder Simulator

Mech Assembler is a game where you assemble mechs. I was hoping that it would be better than the mech assembler in Last Call BBS. At this point, it’s not. It might be eventually. I’m going to wishlist in case there’s some big improvements in the development.

Details:

• Steam Page: Mech Assembler: Model Kit builder Simulator
• Developer: Joaquín Martinez
• Publisher: Joaquín Martinez
• Release Date: December 2026
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Incremental, Puzzle, Casual, Management, Simulation, Robots
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

19. Monument Valley 3

Monument Valley 3 is apparently the third entry in a series of chill puzzle games with distinctive art that is both minimal and a feast for the eyes. Storytelling happens by completing the levels and finding out more wisdom about the world that your character inhabits. I am glad that they are continuing to make these games, and I am thankful for running into this demo at Next Fest. I would recommend checking out this game, and the previous ones, as well.

Details:

• Steam Page: Monument Valley 3
• Developer: ustwo games
• Publisher: ustwo games
• Release Date: Jul 22, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Casual, Relaxing, Colorful, Atmospheric, Puzzle, Isometric
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

20. Moonlighter 2: Endless Vault

Moonlighter 2 takes the original pixelart game style of bashing and selling but upgrades to the more polished 3D world. Whereas the first game had a Zelda-y vibe, the second game gives me Bastion vibes. Generally, if you liked the first, the second is going to give you more and better action.

Details:

• Steam Page: Moonlighter 2: Endless Vault
• Developer: Digital Sun
• Publisher: 11 bit studios
• Release Date: Nov 19, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Early Access, Shop Keeper, RPG, Action-Adventure, Roguelike, Inventory Management
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

21. Gnaughty Gnomes

The art style and presentation are good, but I couldn’t figure out any single player modes. It’s tough to play alone.

Details:

• Steam Page: Gnaughty Gnomes
• Developer: SandCastles Studio
• Publisher: SandCastles Studio
• Release Date: Mar 3, 2026
• Game Modes: Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Casual, PvP, Local Multiplayer, Party Game, Combat, Action
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

22. Neoclassical: Chromaticist

It’s like tetris but slightly less good and vaguely related to classical music. No thanks. Normal Tetris is better.

Details:

• Steam Page: Neoclassical: Chromaticist
• Developer: Shengyu Liu
• Publisher: 恒先 Ancient Scroll
• Release Date: Coming soon
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Casual, Match 3, Music, Relaxing, Music-Based Procedural Generation, Rhythm
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

23. Morsels

The best way to describe Morsels might be to call it an acid trip Cuphead Binding of Isaac? It oozes character, and I’m astounded by the commitment to the visual and audio themes. It kicked my butt, but it’s the type of game I could see trying to figure out and uncover its mysteries. If this game also kicks your butt, go into the settings room and change the difficulty of the game from “Hard Cheese” to “Soft Cheese” to help your experience.

Details:

• Steam Page: Morsels
• Developer: Furcula
• Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
• Release Date: Nov 18, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Action Roguelike, Pixel Graphics, Action, Twin Stick Shooter, Dark Fantasy, Cats
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

24. Neon Abyss 2

Neon Abyss 2 is an evolution of the original “Neon Abyss” concept. All of the colorful art and vibes are still here, but there are some deeper mechanics and the option to dive into the abyss with your friends. It’s a great option for anyone who liked the first Neon Abyss, and a breath of fresh air for folks who play other rogue-likes.

Details:

• Steam Page: Neon Abyss 2
• Developer: Veewo Games
• Publisher: Veewo Games
• Release Date: Jul 17, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Early Access, Action Roguelike, Online Co-Op, Cyberpunk, Roguelike, Funny
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

25. Carnage Battle Arena

Carnage Battle Arena has a few different voxel car demolition games in destructible environments. I found there to be too many different upgrades and mechanics, where I was looking for a more simple, fun centered game.

Details:

• Steam Page: Carnage Battle Arena
• Developer: Boombit
• Publisher: BoomBit
• Release Date: Jul 11, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Racing, Sports, Combat Racing, Driving, Battle Royale, 3D
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

26. Neon Inferno

Neon Inferno is a run and gun game with SunsetRiders meets Cyberpunk vibes. I played the second from the lowest difficulty and still got my butt kicked, but I eventually got through the demo. I’m wishlisting based on good vibes.

Details:

• Steam Page: Neon Inferno
• Developer: Zenovia Interactive
• Publisher: Retroware
• Release Date: Nov 19, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Shoot ‘Em Up, Side Scroller, Cyberpunk, Bullet Time, Arcade, Action
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

27. One Move Away

One Move Away is a game that tells a story through packing up and moving. You take the role of a person who goes through different stages in life, trying to fit your worldly belongings in some form of vehicle. The gameplay allows for some creative problem solving, and there is a mechanic where you can choose to hit whatever you’re trying to pack to make it fit. It’s a novel way of storytelling, and I’m here for it.

Details:

• Steam Page: One Move Away
• Developer: Ramage Games
• Publisher: Playstack
• Release Date: May 28, 2026
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Puzzle, Physics, Organizing, 3D, First-Person, Indie
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

28. Florida Interstate ‘86

Pretty decent racer. It leans about 60% into the neon vibes. It’s like outrun but slightly dark and on a highway in Miami. It’s fine.

Details:

• Steam Page: Florida Interstate ‘86
• Developer: Welcome to the ’80s
• Publisher: Welcome to the ’80s
• Release Date: Jul 15, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Casual, Racing, Arcade, Automobile Sim, 3D, Stylized
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

29. Ra Ra Boom

Rara Boom is a side scrolling beat em up that is a mix of games like Streets of Rage 4 and Battletoads. I appreciate the sci fi girl power future robot themes and I think that the fighting mechanics may be quite impressive in time. The different characters ooze personality, and there’s a lot of potential here.

Details:

• Steam Page: Ra Ra Boom
• Developer: Gylee Games
• Publisher: Gylee Games
• Release Date: Aug 12, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: 2.5D, Shoot ‘Em Up, Post-apocalyptic, Robots, Hand-drawn, Adventure
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

30. Polar Star

Polar Star is a press your luck style rock paper scissors game but it changes the possible actions to drink, prepare, and shoot. The art is a western style pixel art, and the themes are very western with a bit of a wacky side.

Details:

• Steam Page: Polar Star
• Developer: Violett
• Publisher: Violett
• Release Date: Sep 16, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Strategy, Dark, 3D, Puzzle, Indie, Western
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: No

31. Ship, Inc

Ship Inc is a game that plays relaxing music in the background as you calmly pack orders in a warehouse. It’s like if a job at an Amazon warehouse only required you to pack a few boxes a day with no time limit. I will mention that I chose the “cozy” difficulty. I assume that the higher difficulty levels may be significantly less chill. I dig the Kawaii vibes and easy flow states.

Details:

• Steam Page: Ship, Inc
• Developer: Rogue Duck Interactive
• Publisher: Rogue Duck Interactive
• Release Date: Jun 23, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Simulation, Casual, Cozy, Job Simulator, Wholesome, Organizing
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

32. Speed Demons 2

Speed Demons 2 is a side scrolling racing game with a few different racing modes, from straight up racing to chasing to slalom style or more destruction oriented modes. It could use a little more polish, but the main mechanics are pretty good.

Details:

• Steam Page: Speed Demons 2
• Developer: Radiangames
• Publisher: Radiangames
• Release Date: Nov 21, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Racing, Arcade, Driving, Vehicular Combat, Physics, Combat Racing
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

33. Tax-Force

Tax Force is a comic style beat em up with a “tax the rich” theme. It’s like Comix Zone for people who want a little more dialog and some accountability for rich folks avoiding their taxes in a Judge Dredd style dystopia. The action was very satisfying and I really appreciated the pixel art and colors.

Details:

• Steam Page: Tax-Force
• Developer: Outsider Games
• Publisher: Outsider Games
• Release Date: Coming soon
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Action-Adventure, Difficult, Hand-drawn, Action Roguelike, Choices Matter, Roguelite
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

34. Unbeatable

Unbeatable is multi-faceted, with both a rhythm game mode, and a long-winded narrative game mode. The first time I played, I ran into some control issues, but I was able to figure out the joystick support after that. The arcade mode has non-stop rhythm action and the story mode has quite a bit of dialog and some exploration and mini games. I found accessing the settings a bit confusing, but the vibes are quite good.

Details:

• Steam Page: Unbeatable
• Developer: D-CELL GAMES
• Publisher: Playstack
• Release Date: Dec 9, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Rhythm, Female Protagonist, Music, Story Rich, Anime, Exploration
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

35. Tiny bookshop

Tiny bookshop has immaculate vibes for a retail simulator. You’ve packed up and left your old life behind, and you have a tiny book shop that fits in a trailer behind your car. During the game, you discover the quaint little town of Bookston Bay and meet some of its wonderful residents. This game has great vibes and some interesting strategy elements.

Details:

• Steam Page: Tiny bookshop
• Developer: neoludic games
• Publisher: Skystone Games
• Release Date: Aug 7, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Cozy, Management, Life Sim, Relaxing, Casual, Collectathon
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

36. Town To City

Town to City comes from Galaxy Grove, the folks who brought us “Station to Station”, another cozy voxel game with strategy elements. At first, I thought that the learning curve was going to be too steep for me, but then I relaxed and started to take in the breathtaking voxel art and just try to make the lives of the residents in town a little better. Before I knew it, I had upgraded my little town to a Hamlet and had reached the end of the demo. Come for the voxels, stay for the upgrade trees and learn the stories of your residents.

Details:

• Steam Page: Town To City
• Developer: Galaxy Grove
• Publisher: Kwalee
• Release Date: May 26, 2026
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: City Builder, Building, Cozy, Voxel, Relaxing, Cute
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

37. TRON:Catalyst

Greetings, program. Bithell Games has brought out another game to follow up the excellent Tron: Identity. This time, TRON: Catalyst keeps the amazing colors and art of the grid, as well as excellent writing, but adds some 3D Beat Em Up action and exploration elements, with the choice of a story driven adventure or punishingly difficult action with story beats. You’re the user. You decide how this story unfolds.

Details:

• Steam Page: TRON:Catalyst
• Developer: Bithell Games
• Publisher: Big Fan Games
• Release Date: Jun 17, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Action, Adventure, Action-Adventure, Beat ’em up, Hack and Slash, Isometric
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

38. Undermine 2

Undermine 2 is a co-op evolution of the original Undermine game. It takes the original mining, exploration, and worker exploitation elements, and adds co-op and a few other surprises along the way. I appreciate the roguelike elements and I get a fond reminder of the old Zelda game for Nintendo.

Details:

• Steam Page: Undermine 2
• Developer: Thorium
• Publisher: Thorium
• Release Date: Jul 22, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
• Popular Tags: Early Access, Action Roguelike, Roguelite, Co-op, Action-Adventure, Roguelike
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

39. Wild Horse Racing

Wild Horse Racing resides at the intersection of rhythm game, horse racing, and Excitebike. It’s not a very busy intersection, but it’s still cool to know that something is there. The default controls are a bit “button mashy” but I was happy to see that there were options for both controller and keyboard in the demo, even if the controller buttons weren’t called out by the button prompts. In controller mode, the twin sticks do the work of button pushing. I appreciate the horse puns and pixel art. This is worth a watch.

Details:

• Steam Page: Wild Horse Racing
• Developer: idlesoul
• Publisher: idlesoul
• Release Date: May 25, 2026
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Indie, Pixel Graphics, Arcade, Horses, Racing, Platformer
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes

40. Word Play

With Word Play, Game Makers Toolkit appears to have another gem on their hands. The gameplay is tight and the powerups will change the game enough to keep you interested. I did notice that the default loop of 10 rounds was slightly longer than I’d like, but I assume that there are more options in the full game.

Details:

• Steam Page: Word Play
• Developer: Game Maker’s Toolkit
• Publisher: Game Maker’s Toolkit
• Release Date: Jul 14, 2025
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Popular Tags: Casual, Word Game, Spelling, Roguelike, Typing, 2D
• Played: Yes
• Wishlisted: Yes