NextFest Q1 Ed (Feb 23rd -Mar 2nd)
it is time for me to down into obscure and and delightful indie games, as I make my way trough indie demos, and major preview tittles in the first Next Fest of 2026. final update march 2nd
watch live & vod on twitch twitch.tv/iivocom
comments? reach out on: X/twitter or bluesky
DEVELOPER: imissmyfriends.studio PUBLISHER: imissmyfriends.studio, Wholesome Games Presents
Fishbowl is a narrative game about dreams, grief, and hope. Rediscover your memories and find your way into the present in this intimate experience where slice-of-life meets surreal.
It's a narrative driven puzzle, life sim about loneliness and loss, wrapped in adorable retro pixel graphics.
DEVELOPER: Operacube PUBLISHER: Operacube
<Unknown - Foggins> is a mystery game that combines puzzle-solving, adventure, and point-and-click elements. Follow a main storyline in pursuit of a hidden truth and interact with distinctive NPCs and uncover the secrets behind their mysterious stories.
A kind of a puzzle story game that I think would excite me, but I am embarrassed to say I could not get past the first puzzle in the demo so yeah uhm no.
Update I reached out to the developer and it seems I have a bit of a facepalm moment as why I could not get past the place I was stuck, so big thanks - for sorting me out! (a new VOD is available)
DEVELOPER: Novemtails PUBLISHER: Novemtails
Trade survival stress for a cozy open-world sanctuary. Instead of fighting nature, learn to live within it. Build your dream cabin, master farm-to-table recipes, and document rare wildlife in a serene world where your only challenge is mastering the flow.
First it feels like a described, and it is - but the start pretty much feels like a regular crafting / survival game in the sense you have to gather and craft, gather and craft, and that is pretty much all you do the first days of your character’s days while all you want to do is explore.
I got to hand it to a one person dev team though, it is impressive and I am rooting for you, a little thought about how the game handles menu inputs though - I managed to freeze the game while trying to get out of the blueprint, because I realized I needed to craft more planks.
DEVELOPER: Patattie Games PUBLISHER: Curve Games
Experience the grit and soul of vinyl culture in Wax Heads. As you manage the daily tasks of a failing record shop, you’ll navigate the unique tastes of eccentric regulars and the chaotic lives of local musicians. It’s a cozy take on the task-based narrative genre, where every record you flip and every conversation you have helps bring the store’s heartbeat back to life.
DEVELOPER: Fat Alien Cat, Nomo Studio PUBLISHER: Fat Alien Cat & Nomo Studio
Momento pitches itself as a cozy room decorator with a meaningful twist: the items you choose aren't just for show—they shape the course of a lifetime. It’s a winding ode to the power of everyday objects and how they alter your character's story.
The Gameplay Experience While the premise is charming, the demo feels a bit more like "organized tidying" than true interior design. At this stage, the narrative weight of your choices feels a little light, making the process feel more like a polished cleanup simulator than a branching life story. That said, the production quality is undeniably high and everything is very well made.
Creative Freedom If you just want to vibe, there is a Creative Mode for dragging elements around to build the perfect space. You can save your designs and take photos, giving off a "grown-up Toca World" energy—minus the characters.
DEVELOPER:Tribute Games Inc. PUBLISHER: Tribute Games Inc.
To understand my take on SP Ex, you first have to look back at the legend: the original movie tie-in game from the PS3 era. It was a masterpiece of retro-inspired design before that was even a trend—a perfect "vibe" that captured Scott’s quest across the movie and cartoon's story. It disappeared for years, only to be saved by a successful remaster. Now, we have a brand-new brawling adventure.
The New Quest In this latest entry, you join Scott and Ramona in a journey across space, time, and the familiar streets of Toronto. It’s an ambitious scope for a brawler, and on the surface, it keeps that iconic visual style we fell in love with a decade ago.
The Verdict However, despite looking the part, it doesn’t quite feel the same. Somewhere between the transition from the first game to this new adventure, it feels like some of the original magic has been lost. It’s a stylish follow-up, but it struggles to capture that specific lightning in a bottle that made the original a cult classic.
DEVELOPER:Relate Games PUBLISHER:Relate Games
In A Study In Blue, you step into the shoes of Kenneth, a private detective, and Blue, a runaway on a mission. Together, you navigate the sprawling megacity of Republica—a semi-open world where you solve criminal cases, face heavy moral choices, and slowly piece together the mystery of Blue’s past.
The Atmosphere This is exactly my type of game. It nails a great retro vibe and strikes a nice balance between humor and serious storytelling. Even though I ran into a few minor technical issues during the demo, the world-building is strong enough to keep me hooked.
The Verdict Despite those small hiccups, the core loop of investigation and narrative consequence is compelling. It’s definitely a title I can see myself sticking with until the credits roll to see how Kenneth and Blue’s journey ends.
DEVELOPER: CAPCOM Co., Ltd. PUBLISHER: CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
PRAGMATA is Capcom’s latest swing at an all-new Sci-Fi action-adventure IP. Set in the near future, the story follows Hugh and his android companion, Diana, as they navigate the desolate corridors of a lunar research station. It’s got a unique hacking twist that aims to set it apart from your standard space thriller.
First Impressions Technically, the game is very well made. It manages a rare balance, feeling both like a high-stakes sci-fi epic and surprisingly "cute" at the same time. I really wanted to like this one, but my initial 30 minutes with the demo left me feeling a bit cold. While it’s billed as an "action-adventure," the adventure side of things was barely present. The experience was heavily skewed toward combat, which wouldn't be a problem if the mechanics landed.
The Combat Loop The main hook—a hacking system integrated into the action—unfortunately becomes annoying fast. Instead of adding depth, it felt more like a hurdle to the flow of the game. Despite the great presentation and the charm of the characters, those first 30 minutes were enough for me.
Moomintroll: Winter's Warmth – A Nostalgic Winter Awakening
DEVELOPER: Hyper Games PUBLISHER: Hyper Games, Kakehashi Games
From the creators of Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley comes a heartwarming new adventure inspired by Tove Jansson’s beloved stories. This time, the focus shifts to Moomintroll himself as he wakes up from his winter slumber to find a world transformed by snow.
A Trip Down Memory Lane This game is a total nostalgia trip. It captures the spirit of the original source material to a T, with a visual style that perfectly mimics the illustrations I remember from my childhood. It feels less like playing a game and more like stepping directly into the pages of a storybook.
The Gameplay As you wander through this charming, chilly world, you'll find a blend of story, puzzles, and adventure elements. It’s all about doing "what a Moomin does"—exploring, interacting, and uncovering the quiet magic of winter. It’s the kind of atmosphere you can easily get lost in for hours.
That’s a wrap on this edition of Steam Next Fest! While I didn’t quite get to every single demo on my list before the Sunday night wall hit, the week was a masterclass in variety. From the deep, emotional pixels of Fishbowl to the nostalgic winter magic of Moomintroll, there’s a lot to look forward to in 2026. My definite "Keepers" for the wishlist are Fishbowl, A Study In Blue, The Mermaid Mask, and of course, Moomintroll: Winter's Warmth. Some titles missed the mark for me, but that's the beauty of Next Fest—finding the specific "magic" that resonates with your playstyle. Now, it’s time for me to start stitching the Twitch highlights together for a YouTube summary for the archives. See you on the streets of Republica (or the Moominvalley snow) soon!