The First Verdicts Are Becoming Clear in Steam Next Fest Demos

The problem starts once you board a ship. Instead of opening up into a broad combat space, the action is confined to a rectangular boundary. That makes the firefights feel narrower and more restricted than they should. Especially with four-player support planned for the full release, it raises questions about how this space will scale.

Even so, the fact that the game runs on time pressure gives the mission flow a sense of rhythm. Not every ship turns into a firefight, which is also notable. Some ships are simply looted and left. That choice keeps the pace moving, but it also makes the expected encounters feel absent at times. There are playful ideas in the weapon design too; details like a rocket launcher that fires small aliens make that obvious. Still, the potential here is being kept on the safe side for now.

Castlevania and The Expanse: different problems in different genres

The Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse demo clearly aims to return the series to its roots. The story is set in Paris in 1499, and you play as Rose Belmont. This setup connects to the period after Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse and brings the series’ legacy back onto the stage.

But the first reactions are divided. The demo has drawn criticism, especially for how Rose feels to control. The character reportedly feels stiffer than expected, evasive movement lacks responsiveness, and enemy attacks feel too fast. That makes the action less tense and more abrasive. In other words, the nostalgic foundation is solid, but the gameplay feel is not as smooth as many hoped.

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn has the opposite energy. The game combines space-opera structure with a real-time cover system, and its first impression proves that the Mass Effect comparisons were not made for nothing. The key difference is that the combat feels harsher and more aggressive.

Enemies move quickly, hit hard, and constantly force the player to reposition. Explosives also feel more threatening than in the usual genre examples. Despite its short length, the demo succeeds in making battles feel more dependent on the decisions you make. Electric shocks, enemy swarms, and instant orders to a companion all help keep the fighting lively. As a result, the game does more than repeat a familiar formula; it pushes that formula into a more punishing tempo. It’s one of the examples that fits well into the broader picture of the new wave of games on Steam.

Mortal Shell 2 moves the series toward a smoother direction

The first look at Mortal Shell 2 shows that the sequel does more than expand the series — it also changes its structure. The demo includes the tutorial section and the first major exploration area. One especially notable detail is that the first zone is unexpectedly green and alive.

On the combat side, the biggest change is that the stamina meter is no longer there. What seems like a small adjustment directly affects the flow of combat. Players can chain attacks and defense more freely. At the same time, the focus shifts toward breaking enemy posture and reaching brutal finishers. In short, the series keeps its heavier, more deliberate identity while building a more fluid combat rhythm.

Still, the demo isn’t perfect. The difficulty balance, especially in the first section, feels lighter than expected. It gives players room to try out the core movement, but it’s clear that the real test begins with the boss encounter. That makes the demo design feel classic, but also safe.

The common thread among these Steam Next Fest standouts is that each of them, to different degrees, has a clear identity. Daumier: Lila & Ghost arrives with a good idea but hesitates. RAID VR works well but doesn’t take many risks. Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse carries a legacy but sparks debate over feel. The Expanse: Osiris Reborn and Mortal Shell 2, meanwhile, leave a more energetic and focused first impression. That’s the real value of these demos: they show exactly where a game holds up, and where it starts to stumble, before the full release.