10 Demos from the "Games Are To Be" Festival on Steam - A Selection of the Most Popular

Mistfall Hunter

An original project competing in a very niche genre — RPG-Extraction. The only successful game here is considered to be Dark and Darker, which spawned this formula. After it, various competitors were released that did not gain any popularity, and Mistfall Hunter risks being on that list — because the genre has become tiresome for many in recent years.

But that doesn't mean the developers made another soulless project on Unreal Engine. It plays more briskly and dynamically than Dark and Darker.

The main gameplay elements are classes: warriors, rogues, archers, and mages, with character designs very similar to the Souls series. This is especially noticeable in the animations of combat techniques and spells, and along with this, the heroes have dodges. Therefore, battles with other players look like a series of dodges and counter-attacks.

At the same time, the developers completely copy mechanics from Chinese extraction shooters: equipment quality colors, an abundance of bosses on the map, mini-quests, and a shrinking zone. Moreover, this is another extraction game designed for team play — the single-player mode does not provide a full gaming experience and is more about constantly playing from ambush.

The only problem with the game is the network connection. It's not possible to play normally from Russia without workarounds. The developers have officially stated that they are aware of this problem and will try to solve it by release.

Embers of the Uncrownded

Actually, there's no other convenient description for this game than "Diablo clone".

EofU is a top-down action RPG where you have to clear constantly arriving hordes of enemies. You choose one of three classes, level up a skill tree, and create an effective build.

On the other hand, the gameplay consists of repetitive actions. In combat, you can get by with normal attacks and dodges. Quests are uninteresting and only serve to gain gold and experience, and the characters are forgettable.

The only thing that distinguishes this project is its Korean visual style. All characters are endowed with hot bodies, beautiful faces, and interesting wardrobes, adhering to the main rule of Korean MMOs: the less clothing, the more powerful the character.

The key problem with this action game is similar to Mistfall Hunter. You won't be able to play it from Russia without workarounds. Moreover, the game requires a constant network connection.

EMPULSE

From the very first trailer at Summer Game Fest, we were clearly shown that EMPULSE is an attempt to create a full-fledged Titanfall clone: vertical action with wall-running, grappling hooks, and, most importantly, mechs on infantry maps.

After getting acquainted with the trailer and the demo, it becomes clear that the developers did not try to embellish the formula or add anything of their own. This lack of ideas causes even more indignation when you find out who is behind the project — 1047 Games — the creators of the failed portal shooter Splitgate and its sequel.

The project itself plays well — the developers managed to completely copy the formula. But due to the lack of innovations, the game is not a fresh take on the mech shooter genre itself.

However, the game revealed major problems: while shamelessly copying, the authors did not bother with optimization, which led to constant frame rate drops to 30 FPS and below in the demo. Things were even worse with the game's protection: cheaters appeared on the second day.

But it's worth noting the network problems, similar to the previous projects in the selection. It's impossible to try the demo in Russia without workarounds. Moreover, the shooter's developers did not comment on this in any way, which gives another reason to completely ignore the release of this free-to-play shooter.

Echoes of Aincrad

It's hard to understand from the name of this game why it captivated users and why it ended up at the top of the demo charts. The answer lies in the franchise: the game is based on the anime Sword Art Online — a popular franchise with a huge fan base worldwide.

This is a typical JRPG with endless corridors in dungeons and a bunch of enemies killed through dodges and parries. In parallel, you constantly need to collect resources for crafting and upgrading equipment. However, you can only change weapons and armor in the tavern.

It's worth noting that in the demo, we were only shown the introductory part, consisting entirely of corridor levels and following a target marker strictly according to the quest. The promised open-world exploration was absent, as was character customization — the developers stated that all of this will be in the release version.

Dust Front RTS

A classic real-time strategy game combining Westwood and Starcraft mechanics from solo developer RtsDimon. The game has a peculiar visual style of military devastation, where gray shades with splashes of red prevail.

The demo only had one level with point capture and destruction of key enemy structures. The gameplay seems simpler because the map presented in the demo is a flat plain dotted with neutral buildings.

However, enemies do not seem vulnerable. Human enemies will rely on firepower and long-range weapons, while they themselves do not have much health, which will allow you to destroy them with tanks and howitzers. With mutant enemies, everything is much more difficult, because they are tenacious and can heal — against them, you need to thoroughly prepare your army.

Maintaining an army requires an impressive base. However, very little space is offered for its construction, which meant either waiting for resource veins to run out to build something in their place, or stretching the base too much, thereby exposing important upgrades to attack.

IRON NEST

A rather atypical military simulator where we play the role of an artilleryman. We don't control a howitzer by choosing the point of impact of a shell like in Battlefield, but perform full calculations: how far the target is, how many degrees to raise the gun, and where allied positions are.

Throughout the game, you are inside an artillery installation, where orders from high command arrive. Initially, there will be a simple order to shell a specific square, but in subsequent missions, you will have to interact with scouts in the field. They will point out the target from their positions, and you will have to combine their data to calculate the exact coordinates for shelling. In addition, the game has a large set of ammunition, and you need to understand which one to use against a specific target.

It is important to note that the game reacts very responsively to errors. For example, if you open fire on your own or civilians, the command will send you a telegram demanding that you stop. On the other hand, there is a moment in the game when you can shoot the commander-in-chief and the king, but there will be no consequences. The game will not end, and the target itself will be alive and well. Although the pictures will show that a crater has formed around the target.

And, of course, one must also consider the main cost of an artilleryman's error. In some missions, after the first shot, the enemy will begin to prepare counter-fire against you, which will quickly turn into a counter-battery struggle: you will either destroy all enemy artillery, or they will destroy you.

Over the hill

An off-road driving game in the style of the Mudrunner series, but without realistic graphics. However, here too, the ability to read the terrain is important, understanding where the car will pass on its own, where to engage low gear, where to use the winch, or where to find another route. Because of this, the trip quickly turns into a small puzzle, where the main mistake is to overestimate the capabilities of the SUV.

But this project differs from Saber's car simulators by its simplified structure. More attention is paid to exploration here: the player drives around Emerald Lake, discovers points of interest, searches for tools, photographs animals, and gradually memorizes the map. The soft visual style and calm pace work perfectly in creating the atmosphere of a tourist trip.

The project heavily depends on the setting, curiosity, and variety of situations. At one point, the meditative quality can easily turn into monotony. A separate issue is the technical condition: some players experience performance drops, and for a game focused on smooth driving and calm immersion, this is especially important.

BOMBANANA!

A cooperative bomb defusal game in the spirit of Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes. Here too, one player acts as the defuser, while their partners read manuals and explain what needs to be done.

However, this formula was supplemented by a Japanese philosophical idea: "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil." A blind monkey defuses the bomb, a mute one reads the manual, and a deaf one tells the blind one where she will press.

The only obstacle for this Friendslop project is the mandatory online connection. Without friends, defusing the bomb will not be fun at all. And it's important to remember that using third-party communication methods will spoil the entire gaming experience, which is already uncomplicated here.

ReStory: Chill Electronic Repairs

ReStory: Chill Electronic Repairs is a cozy electronics repair shop management simulator set in Tokyo in the mid-2000s.

The project from the creators of I Am Future skillfully plays on feelings of nostalgia: players will meticulously restore iconic devices of that era, from retro consoles (including officially licensed Atari systems) to old mobile phones and music players. The gameplay is based on detailed disassembly of gadgets, cleaning them, searching for spare parts through an authentic 2000s browser, and careful assembly.

However, the game captivates not only with its meditative repair mechanics but also with its narrative component. Each device brings a client with their own story. The fate of the characters and your workshop depends on your decisions — for example, whether to report a strange find in a former gangster's phone or help a student in love.

ReStory is ideal for those looking for a calm, meditative game for a couple of evenings, who love tinkering with old technology, and appreciate projects where the player's choice truly affects small but touching human stories.

Order of the Sinking Star

Order of the Sinking Star is an ambitious puzzle-adventure from Jonathan Blow, creator of the cult classics Braid and The Witness.

The game's demo offers an immersive experience in an atmospheric world full of magic and mysteries, where gameplay mechanics constantly evolve and intertwine. Players will explore four unique worlds with their own rules, characters, and dangers, freely moving between them and solving intricate puzzles at their own pace.

The game captivates with its large-scale approach to puzzle design: over a thousand hand-crafted tasks are announced, in which mechanics layer on top of each other as different heroes are encountered. You will get to play as a queen, a thief, a warrior, a wizard, and even a talking boat, each with unique abilities and their own story.

The intriguing plot is presented through the environment, gameplay, and collectible notes, gradually revealing the secrets of the mysterious Order of the Sinking Star.