Steam Next Fest has become a highlight for PC Gamer, as developers showcase demos to earn spots on players' wishlists. The latest event featured a diverse top list, including gnomish burglary simulators, open-world piracy, and Vampire Survivors-inspired deck-builders.
This variety held until Bungie's Marathon Server Slam test unlocked, immediately rocketing to the number one position. While thousands flock to its sci-fi shooter matches, other demos garnered significant attention.
In second place is 'Burglin' Gnomes,' a co-op game where players control tiny, cigarette-loving gnomes performing risky heists in suburban homes. Our impressions found it has the right mix of humor, horror, and fun for a potential breakout hit.
Third place belongs to 'Windrose,' a moody open-world pirate survival game with base-building and naval combat. It has amassed over a million wishlists and overwhelmingly positive demo reviews, though a release date remains unconfirmed.
'Vampire Crawlers' takes fourth, successfully blending Vampire Survivors' formula with deck-building dungeon crawling into a polished and dangerously addictive package.
Rounding out the top five is 'Far Far West,' a co-op FPS featuring robot cowboy wizards. Its nimble and polished gunplay shows potential to become a replayable co-op staple like Deep Rock Galactic.