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Steam Check 11- Your daily Steam briefing, updated every day. We bring you everything from real-time concurrent player counts and global/Korean top-selling charts to the latest news, new releases, and updates.
Steam Next Fest (SNF), the event showcasing demos for a wide variety of new games, kicked off on the 16th (KST). While typical online game events are limited to trailers or developer interviews, SNF allows you to play demos for every participating game. It’s not just about flashy visuals; you get to actually play the games and experience them firsthand.
The challenge is that there are over 4k games participating in SNF, meaning the number of games you can enjoy during the one-week event is limited. Conversely, the fact that so many players are flocking to it shows that even short demo experiences can be plenty of fun. Here is a quick summary of the demos receiving the most attention on day one.
■ Iron Nest: Heavy Turret Simulator | ▶Video
Iron Nest is a heavy artillery game where you operate massive war machines. While it might seem similar to typical tank or robot piloting games, the player’s view is entirely from inside the machine. You must measure coordinates, load shells for air support, and manually operate various controls—such as angles—from within the cockpit to ensure your shots hit the target. In particular, the retro, diesel-punk control scheme, which involves pulling and turning levers, has been praised for providing a unique and engaging experience.
■ Mistfall Hunter | ▶Video
Mistfall Hunter, a third-person extraction action RPG, is the title Steam has highlighted as the most anticipated game in this edition of Steam Next Fest. With its sword-and-magic combat, diverse character classes, and distinct dark fantasy world, it has garnered attention as the extraction action version of Elden Ring. This test version adds a new class, the Forsaken Knight, and a new map, the Sacred Tree Forest. Since demo builds are usually created separately, they don’t fully reflect the current state of development. However, with the official release just around the corner on July 30, the content and polish revealed in this open beta offer a good glimpse of what to expect from the final game.
■ Echoes of Aincrad | ▶Video
A new action RPG based on the Sword Art Online IP. With the release set for July 10, progress made in this demo will carry over to the full version on the same platform. The game features a setup where you experience the Aincrad death game as a new original avatar instead of Kirito. You can also check out the emphasized cooperative combat system with partner NPCs.
After its debut at Summer Game Fest 2026, a game has generated significant interest and climbed to the top of the popular demo charts at this SNF event. However, the reception has been mixed due to issues with the lack of combat, control responsiveness, and optimization.
Moreover, several new titles from local studios and publishers are showcasing at the June edition of SNF. Among them, you can try out a variety of games on Steam, including ‘Dragon Sword: Awakening,’ ‘Freestyle Football 2,’ ‘Zenonia 1,’ ‘Death at Fleming Manor,’ ‘Stepper Retro,’ and ‘Fading Echo.’ Additionally, ‘Void Diver,’ an isometric extraction RPG, has captured early attention.
In the realm of gaming news, Mecha Chameleon, a hide-and-seek battle game, has announced the sale of 2 million copies within just 6 days of its launch. Praise for its camouflage mechanic and streaming-friendly content has propelled its popularity, securing top rankings in both domestic and global sales charts.
Lastly, Paradox’s sci-fi strategy game Stellaris has made a comeback with its latest expansion, Nomad. The expansion introduces the concept of the ‘Ark Ship’ and offers new gameplay mechanics tailored to different playstyles. Additionally, Dead by Daylight has revealed plans for a game engine and visual overhaul in 2027, along with the addition of iconic horror character Jason from the Friday the 13th series, sparking renewed interest in the game’s future. All translations supported by AI undergo a thorough review and refinement process carried out by our newsroom team.
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