Steam Next Fest wrapped up today after an entire week of showcasing almost 5,000 demos for upcoming indie releases. Most of the demos were available exclusively during this past week, though some developers have chosen to leave them up for longer, drawing the attention of thousands of new players from across the globe. Listed below are the top five most played game demos, listed in ascending order, according to the official Steam Next Fest website.
Over the Hill
Up first is Over the Hill, a co-op off road driving game set to release sometime in 2026. The demo included the first part of the map called “the Valhallas region, Emerald Lake,” reward crates, three different vehicles, photo mode, and other camping-esque mini games. It was accompanied by a photography competition for fans to earn a free download code once the game is released, sponsored by the publishers and developers at Funselektor Labs Inc. and Strelka Games. Over the Hill does not have a definitive release date yet, but the demo will still be available for free until the game’s release sometime in 2026.
Mistfall Hunter
“Dark fantasy extraction AARPG” Mistfall Hunter is the fourth most played demo of June 2026’s Steam Next Fest. It features a player character who has just been brought back to life by a “mysterious girl named Dew”, allowing players to “scavenge, fight, and extract in a brutal cycle of survival to bring a flicker of hope to this forbidden land.” The demo took the form of an open beta test of both multiplayer and single player modes, in addition to the Hallowgrove map and Withered Knight class. The first game to be developed by Bellring Games, and published by Skystone Games, Mistfall Hunter is already available for pre purchase, and will be released on July 29, 2026.
Echoes of Aincrad
Echoes of Aincrad takes place in Aincrad, a fantasy “world of beauty and danger where every battle could be your last.” Players are given the opportunity to completely customize their character for combat and unlock special abilities. The demo is still available, and includes several new drops, such as five complete missions and every type of weapon the game has to offer. Game Studio Inc. and Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.’s Echoes of Aincrad will be fully released on July 9, 2026, and is currently available for prepurchase.
IRON NEST: Heavy Turret Simulator
Up next is IRON NEST: Heavy Turret Simulator, which is releasing in August 2026. Developed by Nick Nieuwoudt and Dominik Latos, this game is a “brutal diesel-punk heavy-artillery game where you dominate the battlefield through a colossal war machine.” Players must operate the tank on their own, in addition to taking orders from higher-ups. The demo is still available to play, which includes a new leaderboard mechanic.
BOMBANANA!
This edition of Steam Next Fest’s most played demo is for BOMBANANA!, an online co-op game from Lefto Studio. Players must form a team of three monkeys tasked with dismantling a banana bomb, with each monkey having a different in game handicap. One is unable to see, another is unable to speak, and another cannot hear. The demo is still available, and was livestreamed as part of Steam Next Fest. BOMBANANA! is set to release this August.