This post is the sequel to Part 1, where I write about my most liked demos from the most recent edition of Next Fest.
I was glad to find out that all of the demos featured here today are still live (at the moment of posting this), so you can still check them out if they seem interesting to you!
My favorite demos – part 2:
1. The Last Gas Station
Steam description: In a world where electric cars reign supreme, you are now the owner of an old gas station out in the wilderness. Establish trade, develop your business and uncover the secret of this strange place in the compact gas station simulator.
Release date: Q2 2026
Demo still available? ✅ Yes
Developed and published by Alawar.
The Last Gas Station first got my attention with its gorgeous pixel art. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a gas station simulator, but what sold me on it was that you’re running the only gas station in this world.
The mechanics/mini games of filling up the tank or checking out items at the register were super satisfying. Plus the typical simulation game cycle of saving up money, getting upgrades to make more money and so on that I know and love. However, it was not just about going through the motions every day, as there is something more mysterious going on – the previous owner of the gas station seems to have disappeared, and no one knows why. An instant wishlist for me after playing the demo.
2. Everything is Crab: The Animal Evolution Roguelite
Steam description: The Animal Evolution Roguelite. Hunt, Flee, Scavenge and Thrive in a living ecosystem. Choose from 100+ Evolutions and Specialisations for unique creature combinations in every run. Adapt to survive the natural curve in order to beat carcinisation… or get Darwin’d trying!
Release date: 8 May, 2026
Demo still available? ✅ Yes
Developed by Odd Dreams Digital and published by Secret Mode.
I picked up Everything is Crab: The Animal Evolution Roguelite thinking it would remind me of Vampire Survivors – and it did, in a way, but it very much does its own (quirky) thing.
In a nutshell, you start as this small blob (I don’t know how else to describe it) at an area where other creatures are walking around – and some of them will try to attack you. As you defeat them, you eat their flesh (you can also eat other forageable items from the environment) and by eating a certain amount, you level up.
That’s when things get really interesting, as you can choose from different evolutionary skills – from more ‘basic’ things as moving faster to getting tentacles (!). As you evolve, your blob’s appearance also changes.
I was positively surprised with how much content there was in the demo and how polished it felt. If you like roguelites and silly games, you should check this one out.
3. Titanium Court
Steam description: A surreal strategy game for clowns and criminals.
Release date: Coming soon
Demo still available? ✅ Yes
Developed by AP Thomson and published by Fellow Traveller.
I got hyped about Titanium Court from several people in different gaming communities saying how hooked they were. Then I started playing it, fell in love with the music and the quirky dialogue, but I just didn’t get the gameplay!
Maybe I was burned out from trying so many demos. So I took a break and watched someone else play. Then, all the pieces fell into place (pun intended). I swore to myself I would take it easier next Next Fest.
Anyway, back to the game. Titanium Court is hard to describe but in a nutshell, it’s a Match-3 game with strategy elements. There’s also a very interesting narrative going on. I know I’m not doing the game justice as I’m struggling to find the words to explain it, but I hope you believe me when I say that they’re really doing something so unique and interesting with this one!
4. Thrifty Business
Steam description: Run your very own thrift shop in this laid-back management sim! Sort through boxes to find hidden treasures and arrange nostalgic displays of clothes, antiques, toys & more. Befriend the regulars, help with their requests and expand your store into a hub for the local community!
Release date: May 2026
Demo still available? ✅ Yes
Developed and published by Spellgarden Games.
Thrifty Business is the upcoming title by the same studio that developed Sticky Business, which was a game I really enjoyed playing so I had to check out this demo!
It was a fun one where you run your thrift store, and that means getting new items, placing them on shelves, decorating your store and sometimes fulfilling customer requests. If you like low stakes management games like Tiny Bookshop, you will probably like this one too.
Worth mentioning that I didn’t play this demo to the end since I got convinced I’ll be buying the full game at some point, and didn’t want to see too much of it, you know what I mean? It will be out in a couple of months too so I’ll wait to play more then.
5. Beastro
Steam description: Welcome to Beastro! In this charming fusion of fantasy adventure, not all heroes wield swords… Some prefer the spoon. And, sometimes to save the world you’ve got to start with a really good meal.
Release date: 2026
Demo still available? ✅ Yes
Developed and published by Timberline Studio.
Beastro‘s demo was already in my library, but Next Fest gave me an extra nudge to actually play it.
Playing as Panko, you cook for customers after taking over this peaceful village’s local restaurant. But Beastro is not just a cooking sim; because you feed the local adventurers before they head out to the wild to fight monsters, what you serve them determines the cards in the deck they use in turn-based battles. And you play that part too, framed by the game as the heroes narrating what happened after the fact.
I loved the graphics and the variety in the gameplay, even though I still need to get the hang of the deckbuilding. I really hope Beastro gets a release date soon!
This concludes the roundup of demos I loved from February’s Next Fest! If you want to check out Part 1 again, here’s a handy link.
Did you find anything in my list that piqued your interest? Let me know!
-Luna
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