In a blink of an eye, the first Steam Next Fest for 2025 has come to an end. However, it was not without so many exciting games being showcased during this time! So many so that it felt a little overwhelming as to where to begin.
What is Steam Next Fest?
Steam Next Fest is a seven-day celebratory event where thousands of free game demos are available for the community to play and discover. This co-insides with livestreams from developers and creators!
The Steam Next Fest Experience
There as so many games that I’m excited about that launch this year. Yet there are so many that I don’t know where to start or how long the list would truly be. However, for this Steam Next Fest, despite having my eye on a number of games, I simply didn’t have much time to sit down and explore as many demos as I wanted.
I did have a chance to explore the demos for Hotel Architect, Dancing Pandas Ranger’s Path and Tales of Seikyu. Despite not having as much time as I hoped, this is where this post was born. A chance for me to showcase some of the demos that grabbed my attention and those that I have added to my wishlist.
Without further ado, here are ten games from the February/March 2025 Steam Next Fest that caught my attention!
Urban Jungle
Take a variety of gorgeous plants and turn your home into your dream Urban Jungle! No matter how big or small the plant is, you’ll find the perfect spot for them!
This cosy, relaxing and stress-free simulation game allows you to decorate your home with a variety of plants, use puzzle like elements to make you think about the best placement for each plant, a subtly intertwined storyline that unfolds as you progress through the game and a variety of interactive features that allows players to interact with other household objects.
Don’t forget, you can also pet the cat!
Bao Bao’s Cozy Laundromat
Welcome to Bao Bao’s Cozy Laundromat!
Work alongside Bao Bao as you take $500, and turn a dream into reality! Picture it, long lines of colourful washing machines, doing their thing, humming quietly as they wash alongside the dryers. However, it’s not just about doing the laundry but curating a space that feels just like home.
You’ll get the chance to add a variety of bespoke touches to the laundromat such as cosy furniture, where your customers can stop and relax while waiting for their laundry, plants to bring life into the empty feeling spaces to name a few. You can even invite fellow panda friends to play alongside with you.
This game is also an idle game, meaning you can leave it to do its thing without worrying about needing to constantly interact with it. Your laundromat will keep ticking over and be the cozy space to return to once you are ready!.
Tiny Garden
Take this magical toy that’s been passed down from generation to generation and create a pocket-size Tiny Garden inside!
This stress-free relaxing game has a variety of farming, puzzles and strategy all rolled into one. There’s no need to worry about time constraints or high scores, the only limit is your own imagination, so you can just let the creativity flow!
Now, many others have held onto this toy in the past and created their own Tiny Garden. Through a variety of letters and so on, you’ll discover the meaningful story woven into the game. With each segment creating a more meaningful and deeper connection with every aspect of your journey.
There are no right or wrong moves in Tiny Garden, just careful consideration as to when to turn the crank. Who knows what surprises you may discover!
Camper Van: Make It Home
Build and make the perfect space for you and everything you need as you embark on a journey of self discovery in Camper Van, Make It Home.
Using Zen puzzle features to organise your camper along with interior design mechanics, you’ll soon be on your way to creating your dream camper as well as finding the perfect home for everything that you need. Yet, it’s not just your camper you can customise, but the area outside your van to make it cosy and welcoming!
So why not jump into your camper van, explore the various destinations from sunny days at the beach, to cosy nights in the forest and even snowy mountain experiences. Just keep a look-out for some special four-legged friends along the way!
Nice Day For Fishing
Every day is a Nice Day For Fishing, and this game is no different. Except, this particular fishing game has a bit of a twist. You’ll find yourself, embarking on a journey of a lifetime when the Heroes of Azerim suddenly disappear. Baelin, previously an NPC in the game now has to figure out what happened, take on various quests and engage in some of the most epic fishing battles you may ever see. Of course, you also need to help rebuild Honeywood after defeating the evil beings.
With plenty to explore, you’ll be able use a variety of different pieces of gear, upgrades, mechanics and more throughout this adventure.
Is This Seat Taken?
Which seat would you prefer, the window or the aisle? Are you a party animal or like the quieter side of life?
In Is This Seat Taken, your aim is to organise people according to their own preferences. Simple as that. No stress or pressure in this cosy logic puzzle game. So play the master seating matchmaker through a variety of different locations and scenarios, discover each and every character’s quirks, and ensure everyone is where they should be!
Lou’s Lagoon
Uncle Lou has vanished and with that you have to keep his courier service running between the various businesses and surrounding islands all while trying to figure out what has happened to him. You’ll do all of this with your forever trusty vacuum, The Swirler 2000 accompanying you as you journey through Limbo Archipelago!
Harvest resources, get crafting and deliver them to the local residents and discover a world full of surprises and secrets as you take to the sky in your multipurpose seaplane!
Bento Blocks
Another cute and cosy puzzle game that focuses on challenging your culinary creativity with various brain-teaser challenges.
In Bento Blocks, you’ll be able to craft various bento-boxes by slicing and arranging each piece perfectly at your own pace. With a calm and laid back atmosphere, you’ll be able to explore over one-hundred handcrafted levels, each unique and one of a kind!
Solarpunk
Solarpunk is an up-and-coming survival game that you can play solo or with others. Build, grow and explore different islands, create gadgets, explore the Solarpunk world and take off in your own airship!
Utilise the power of sunlight, water and wind to create your own one of a kind energy system which will also allow you to automate a number of processes such as harvesting resources and watering crops.
Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping
Everyone’s favourite Duck Detective is back and with that has a new mystery to solve!
In Duck Detective The Ghost of Glamping there will be plenty of suspects to interview, evidence to inspect and find out the truth behind the mystery! Leave no stone unturned and find even the smallest of crumbs to help brings those needed to justice!
These are just ten of the many games that grabbed my attention during the recent Steam Next Fest! Even though the event may be over, you can wishlist all the games mentioned above, and some still have their demos live for a limited time.
Were there any games during this Steam Next Fest that caught your attention? Let me know below!
leekscosycorner 