Introduction: Unearthing Strategy Gems at Steam Next Fest
The Steam Next Fest is a highly anticipated event for PC players, offering a unique opportunity to explore hundreds of upcoming titles through free, limited-time demos, reminiscent of the good old days of the 90s and early 2000s. This Steam Next Fest is not different for strategy players, and this year’s lineup for strategy games is particularly robust, featuring innovative twists on established genres and entirely new concepts. In a year already filled with amazing games like Tempest Rising, Broken Arrow, and Burden of Command, it’s fun to see what everyone else is up to. From intricate base-building simulations and deep turn-based tactics to expansive real-time strategy experiences, this list delves into the offerings to bring you a curated list of the 15 best strategy game demos you absolutely shouldn’t miss at this Steam Next Fest. There are other titles available that I encourage you to explore and consider for yourself, but these are the ones that stood out to me.
15 – Ground of Aces
Ground of Aces is a unique twist on World War 2. Players take command of an air base, and they are responsible for everything from constructing essential infrastructure and managing the conflict’s iconic aircraft to overseeing the well-being of their pilots and crew as you send them out on missions. Strategically plan your base layout, optimize the way it works, and make decisions to ensure your forces are prepared for the unpredictable realities of wartime, making it a compelling experience for fans of both management and historical strategy games who might be looking for a different kind of World War 2 experience. It’s a labor of love and one you should at least try.
14 – MORSE
I remember reading about a couple of games trying this concept out a couple of years ago, and I’m not sure if MORSE is related to them or not. Oh well, more educational and historical than strategic, MORSE is a standout during the Steam Next Fest, offering a fresh take on the tactical roguelike genre where you must master the art of coded communication and artillery allocation to repel the Kaiser’s Fleet with precise salvos. Each run presents unique puzzles and tactical combat scenarios, where deciphering messages and reacting swiftly to evolving threats is key to survival.
13 – Kriegsfront Tactics
The Playstation 1 graphics caught my attention, but the mix of turn-based tactical strategy and the 1970s Southeast Asia setting with mechs is what really draws me in into Kriegsfront Tactics. One of the standout titles of this Steam Next Fest, this game plunges players into a conflict where you command a squad of heavily armed mechs behind enemy lines. Inspired by classics like Front Mission and XCOM, Kriegsfront Tactics emphasizes detailed mech customization, precise targeting, and positioning, and it even comes with fully simulated bullet physics. Give its demo a go!
12 – After Inc: Revival
Coming soon to Early Access, from the acclaimed creator of Plague Inc. comes After Inc: Revival, a blend of strategic simulation, survival city-builder, and ‘mini 4X’ that wants to take a look at what happens after you win a game of Plague Inc. with a zombie virus. Decades after a global pandemic, humanity is on the brink of resurgence, and it’s up to you to lead the charge. Players will be establishing new settlements in order to revive mankind, scavage for vital resources in a desolate and dangerous world, and shaping a burgeoning society. It takes a couple of lessons from Frostpunk, as players will have some moral dilemmas too.
11 – Town to City
My love for games like Towns and ISLANDERS isn’t misplaced. As someone who is always jumping between work and personal projects (like Strategy and Wargaming), relaxing games help me take a couple of hours to just unwind and see pretty things come together. Town to City wants to be the cozy city-builder making its mark at the Steam Next Fest, and being from the creators of the beloved Station to Station, this game invites players to meticulously craft an idyllic 19th-century Mediterranean town (which is where I live), and guide its evolution into a bustling, prosperous city. Its defining feature is a truly grid-less building system, offering unparalleled creative freedom to design organic layouts, winding streets, and customized settlements, as Mediterranean cities tend to be old medieval towns that grew organically over the centuries.
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