Valve, the company behind the game platform Steam, has revealed the top 50 most-played demos during the 2026 Steam Next Fest in February, all of which represent the future of new and popular PC gaming.
There are a bunch of known commodities in the list, with Bungie’s Marathon taking out top spot, and Vampire Survivors spin-off Vampire Crawlers getting its fair share of the love.
There are also an array of cool-looking, under-the-radar gems on Steam’s list, perfect for those looking to add to their wishlists, or otherwise see what’s trending in the world of games.
Steam Next Fest popular demos – quick links
Steam Next Fest highlights
While all of the demos included in Steam’s roundup are worthy of attention, we’d love to shout out a few of the games on ScreenHub‘s own radar.
ZA/UM’s next big RPG, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, got its first public demo during this Steam Next Fest, and it’s a visceral, creative experience. If you played the studio’s previous title, Disco Elysium, there are similar themes and tones struck here.
ScreenHub: Zero Parades For Dead Spies preview – a stylish Disco Elysium follow-up
Sledding Game is a cosy, cute game that deservedly made the list too. It lets you sled around as a tiny creature, while also hanging out with your friends. Small and simple, this is an entirely peaceful adventure with really lovely vibes.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection also made the list, and is a brilliant adventure so far. This title is a new twist on the Monster Hunter Stories formula that follows a young royal as they contend with a rising darkness, as well as the encroachment of an army of enemy monsters.
ScreenHub: Monster Hunter Stories 3 preview – a dazzling royal refresh
Of course, there are plenty of other gems hiding in Valve’s complete list of popular demos.
The full list of the most popular game demos during Steam Next Fest 2026
Here are the top 50 most-played demos of the latest Steam Next Fest:
- Marathon
- Burglin’ Gnomes
- Windrose
- Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors
- Far Far West
- Outbound
- Wanderburg
- John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando
- Fate Trigger
- Hozy
- Everything is Crab: The Animal Evolution Roguelite
- Sledding Game
- Arkheron
- Romestead
- We Gotta Go
- Guardians of the Wild Sky
- Don’t Panic! It is Just Turbulence
- Raccoin: Coin Pusher Roguelike
- Replaced
- Darkhaven
- Shift At Midnight
- SpaceCraft
- Tap Tap Loot
- Gambonanza
- Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
- Vacation Cafe Simulator
- How Many Dudes?
- Frog Sqwad
- Witchspire
- Pragmata
- Data Center
- Zero Paradise: For Dead Spies
- Pass the Fear
- Armatus
- Another Hero’s Adventure
- Last Flag
- SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed
- BidKing
- Voidling Bound
- Dig, Dig, Die
- The Eternal Life of Goldman
- Denshattack!
- Ashes of the Singularity II
- Atmosfar
- 1348 Ex Voto
- Way of the Hunter 2
- Crystalfall
- Chained Wheels
- Lootbound
As of writing, the demos for these games remain live – so even if you missed out on Next Fest itself, there’s still a chance to dive in with each of these titles. In the months ahead, we expect many to define the discourse around PC gaming.
Also on ScreenHub: Titanium Court preview: bizarre and confusing, but I’m still enraptured by this game
‘Creator AP Thomson describes Titanium Court as a ‘surreal strategy game for clowns and criminals’. Lacking context beyond this, I recently jumped into the game’s Steam Next Fest demo, and found myself changed on the other side.
Titanium Court is a game that refuses all attempts at definition. When you think you know what’s going on, new layers are revealed, each stranger than the last. I think I have the crux: it’s a game about becoming the monarch of a kingdom, which is beset by enemy forces on all sides.’
Read more …
