I’ve played a bunch of Steam Next Fest demos during the event, even so I decided to just give a try to all the games that were presented by Devolver Digital, you know, that indie publisher with multiple hits and one you can’t go wrong with. They had around nine games presented during the event so I’ve decided to give them all a try and rank them based on my personal opinion and experience starting from worst to the best one.
Tron: The Catyclst
I’m not sure if this game is meant to be a joke or not. Disney… oh boy, where are you headed with this one? It was so boring I had to push myself to finish it. The combat was weak, the AI just stared at you from a distance instead of fighting back while you attacked. The dialogue felt super cringy, the characters were forgettable, including the main character (a woman, I think?), and the world looked the same everywhere. It felt uninspiring and disappointing to play. With Devolver likely just backing it, is this really the game Tron deserved?
Possessor(s)
Though Possessor(s) looks impressive and seems like a fun game, my experience was ruined by clunky controls and odd platforming elements, and I wasn’t a fan of the time-stopping on the final hit at the enemies either. I had high hopes, given its unique mix: a flooded city overrun with surreal interdimensional horror, fast-paced action side-scrolling, and unique characters. But for now, the controls definitely need some work.
Mycopunk
While playing this unique shooter, I kept wondering: “What the heck is going on here?” Hundreds of strange creatures flew at me, I had multiple guns to choose from, that reloaded each other’s ammo when used, plus there was a multiplayer option and huge, fun boss fights. The graphics, world, and enemies felt out of ordinary, like an interdimensional adventure, but it didn’t rank higher because I was left confused about what I just played. The pacing felt off, and I lost track when my boss got stuck in a building during my solo playthrough.
Stick It to the Stickman
Stick It to the Stickman offers a unique roguelike structure where, in the demo, you play as a stickman climbing the corporate ladder. Along the way, you can punch, kick, use weapons, and upgrade your abilities while battling small interns and big mini-bosses to become CEO. The premise is wild, but my only problem is the clunky combat, it’s not as smooth as I’d hoped. Still, that one level was super fun, and it was great to see my character getting richer over time.
Forestrike
I love it when games experiment, and Forestrike nails that vibe. Want to foresee the future or test your skills before a real fight? You can do it here. When the real battle starts, you’re ready to use your dojo skills to kick, dodge, block, and outsmart opponents. It’s a blast, with multiple sessions and approaches to each level, pushing you to apply what you learn and show off your skills.
Baby Steps
A new game from Bennett Foddy? Count me in! So, what’s it about? Though maybe not as rage-inducing as his other titles, this one will make you cringe with its awkwardness. You play as Nate, an unemployed failson with little going for him, teleported into a strange world. Walking isn’t easy, you need both left and right mouse clicks, but once you figure it out, it’s super satisfying. I even learned to run by the end of the demo!
BOTSU
It’s been a while since I enjoyed a solid multiplayer game packed with mini-games, and even if you don’t have friends to join, though it’s recommended, you can play against bots. You control robots in fun matches like basketball, football, or floor-is-lava, even hitting and holding each other for a good laugh. You can compete online or split-screen in a series of ragdoll, crazy physics-based battles to prove your mechanical skills, making it the wildest game idea I’ve loved.
BALL X PIT
I debated putting this first, but it does share the first place since it was just so much fun. Who knew blending flipper-based, rock-breaking, ball-fusing, base-building survival roguelite gameplay with the unique twist of beating up skeletons could be this entertaining? You battle hordes of enemies who attack while you grow stronger, using various skills and attacks, ricocheting balls, and gathering and building to unlock new heroes and generate resources.
Shroom and Gloom
What a blast Shroom and Gloom turned out to be! It reminded me why deck-building roguelike games are so much fun when done well, adding a unique twist as a “double-deckbuilder”. You can use cards while exploring and at checkpoints to unlock different weapons, rest, and eat food while scavenging through a bizarre world filled with ugly creatures, plants, and more. I can’t recall the last time a card-based game hooked me this much, and spending just enough time on the demo left me eager for the full release of Shroom and Gloom.
English (UK) 
Hrvatski