{"rewrite":{"id":"r_27d2210a3dda6335eadfdd7c","clusterId":"c_6d8f148ecfec7b52ff74bbae","slug":"steam-next-fest-june-2026-edition-kicks-off-with-notable-demos","model":"deepseek-v4-flash","headline":"Steam Next Fest June 2026 Edition Kicks Off With Hundreds of Demos","summary":"Valve's Steam Next Fest: June 2026 Edition began on June 16, offering free demos and open beta tests for thousands of upcoming PC games through June 23 at 2:00 AM JST. The event features a wide range of genres, with several titles drawing high concurrent player counts and positive early reviews. Among the notable demos are 'Mistfall Hunter,' a dark fantasy PvPvE extraction action RPG with soul-like combat and five playable classes, and 'IRON NEST: Heavy Turret Simulator,' a first-person simulator where players operate a four-legged vehicle with a heavy cannon. Other highlights include 'Echoes of Aincrad,' an action RPG set in the Sword Art Online universe; 'EMPULSE,' a 6v6 movement shooter from the developers of Splitgate; and 'Order of the Sinking Star,' a Sokoban-style puzzle adventure by Jonathan Blow. The event also includes demos for 'Dust Front RTS,' 'Kingdom Rush 6: Genesis TD,' 'Mortal Shell II,' and 'Project: Doors.' Com2uS Holdings released demos for 'Fading Echo' and 'ZENONIA 1: Thread of Memory' during the event. The official Steam Next Fest page allows browsing by genre, and personalized recommendations will appear after the first few days based on user activity.","whyItMatters":"The Steam Next Fest has become a key seasonal marker for indie and mid-tier PC game discovery, and this edition's early popularity of soul-like extraction and unconventional simulators signals a continuing shift in player appetite toward hybrid genres and niche mechanics.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003eValve\u0026#39;s Steam Next Fest: June 2026 Edition launched on June 16, offering free demos and open beta tests for thousands of upcoming PC games. The event runs until June 23 at 2:00 AM JST. The official site allows browsing by genre, and after the first few days, personalized recommendations will appear based on user activity.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmong the most popular demos is \u0026#39;Mistfall Hunter,\u0026#39; a dark fantasy PvPvE extraction action RPG scheduled for release on July 30. It features stamina-based combat, a parry system, and five classes including the newly revealed \u0026#39;Wiznight.\u0026#39; Another standout is \u0026#39;IRON NEST: Heavy Turret Simulator,\u0026#39; where players operate a four-legged vehicle with a heavy cannon, using a ballistic calculator to adjust powder charge and elevation. The demo for \u0026#39;Echoes of Aincrad,\u0026#39; based on Sword Art Online, lets players experience the Beta Test Arc with save data transfer to the full game. \u0026#39;EMPULSE,\u0026#39; a 6v6 movement shooter from the Splitgate developers, includes wall-running, grappling, and pilotable Mechs. Jonathan Blow\u0026#39;s \u0026#39;Order of the Sinking Star\u0026#39; is a Sokoban-style puzzle game where four worlds collide, intertwining mechanics. The event also features demos for \u0026#39;Dust Front RTS,\u0026#39; \u0026#39;Kingdom Rush 6: Genesis TD,\u0026#39; \u0026#39;Mortal Shell II,\u0026#39; \u0026#39;Project: Doors,\u0026#39; and many more. Com2uS Holdings released demos for \u0026#39;Fading Echo\u0026#39; and \u0026#39;ZENONIA 1: Thread of Memory,\u0026#39; both scheduled for the second half of 2026.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMistfall Hunter\u003c/strong\u003e: Dark fantasy PvPvE extraction action RPG, July 30 release, five classes including Wiznight\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIRON NEST: Heavy Turret Simulator\u003c/strong\u003e: First-person heavy cannon vehicle simulator, early August release\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEchoes of Aincrad\u003c/strong\u003e: Sword Art Online action RPG, July 9 (Steam July 10), Beta Test Arc demo\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDouble Dealers\u003c/strong\u003e: 3-6 player auction game with hidden clauses and psychological play\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEMPULSE\u003c/strong\u003e: 6v6 movement shooter from Splitgate devs, wall-running, grappling, Mechs, June 25 release\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDust Front RTS\u003c/strong\u003e: Classic RTS with 4X elements on a devastated planet, three factions\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKingdom Rush 6: Genesis TD\u003c/strong\u003e: Tower defense strategy game, September 24 release, 4 of 18 stages in demo\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrder of the Sinking Star\u003c/strong\u003e: Sokoban-style puzzle adventure by Jonathan Blow, late 2026 release\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMortal Shell II\u003c/strong\u003e: Sequel to soul-like action RPG, shell-inhabiting combat, open world with 60+ dungeons\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFreeStyle Football 2\u003c/strong\u003e: Online 5v5 multiplayer soccer, Q4 2026 release\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProject: Doors\u003c/strong\u003e: Cooperative multiverse invasion game, liminal spaces and monster encounters\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo Such Place\u003c/strong\u003e: Top-down PvE extraction shooter for up to 4 players, customizable gunsmith, 2026 release\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePixel Gun 2\u003c/strong\u003e: Sequel to mobile FPS Pixel Gun 3D, destructible voxel maps, chaotic gunfights\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFading Echo\u003c/strong\u003e: Action-adventure with water/steam transformation, 11 languages, H2 2026 release\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZENONIA 1: Thread of Memory\u003c/strong\u003e: Optimized mobile action RPG, three classes, Adonis Region demo, H2 2026 release\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReStory\u003c/strong\u003e: Repair shop simulator for game consoles and music players\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAs One We Survive\u003c/strong\u003e: Post-apocalyptic survival game about saving a sick daughter\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eover the hill\u003c/strong\u003e: Co-op driving adventure through nature for up to 4 players\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnginefall\u003c/strong\u003e: PvP survival game set inside a giant train\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Mound: Omen of Cthulhu\u003c/strong\u003e: Co-op jungle exploration adventure with Cthulhu themes for up to 4 players\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e","blueskyPost":"Steam Next Fest June 2026 is live with thousands of demos. 'Mistfall Hunter' (soul-like PvPvE extraction) and 'IRON NEST' (heavy cannon solo sim) are early standouts. Runs until June 23.","twitterPost":"Valve's Steam Next Fest June 2026 Edition has begun. Demos for 'Echoes of Aincrad,' 'EMPULSE,' and Jonathan Blow's 'Order of the Sinking Star' are available now. Browse by genre until June 23.","threadsPost":"Steam Next Fest's June 2026 demo lineup shows the middle-market PC audience is coalescing around extraction shooters like Mistfall Hunter and licensed action RPGs like Echoes of Aincrad.","newsletterBlurb":"Valve's Steam Next Fest June 2026 Edition launched on June 16, offering free demos for thousands of upcoming PC games through June 23. Early popular titles include the soul-like PvPvE extraction game 'Mistfall Hunter' and the heavy cannon simulator 'IRON NEST.' The event also features demos for 'Echoes of Aincrad,' 'EMPULSE,' and Jonathan Blow's 'Order of the Sinking Star.'","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"4Gamer.net\",\"url\":\"https://www.4gamer.net/games/978/G097853/20260616040/\",\"title\":\"Demos for \\\"Fading Echo\\\" and \\\"ZENONIA 1: Thread of Memory\\\" Released on Steam Next Fest\"},{\"source\":\"Automaton\",\"url\":\"https://automaton-media.com/articles/newsjp/20260616-449950/\",\"title\":\"Free Demo Distribution Event \\\"Steam Next Fest\\\" Kicks Off, Soul-like Extraction PvPvE and Giant Weapon Solo Operation Sim Among Popular Titles. Introducing Notable Games\"},{\"source\":\"Game Spark\",\"url\":\"http://www.gamespark.jp/article/2026/06/16/168048.html\",\"title\":\"Thousands of Demos Playable at \\\"Steam Next Fest\\\"! Co-op Jungle Exploration Adventure and Post-Apocalyptic Survival to Save a Sick Daughter, and More\"}]","lintFlagsJson":null,"lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":8139,"outputTokens":1829,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1781593083,"createdAt":"2026-06-16T06:46:51.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-06-16T06:49:57.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-06-16T06:49:57.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_6d8f148ecfec7b52ff74bbae","canonicalTitle":"無料デモ一斉配信イベント「Steam Nextフェス」開幕で、ソウルライク脱出PvPvEや巨大兵器ワンオペ操作シムなどが人気爆発中。注目作をいろいろ紹介","representativeArticleId":"a_35306bf64b7ef6f89ec1d2d2","sourceCount":4,"writtenSourceCount":3,"writeAttempts":0,"isSolo":false,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"work_titles\":[],\"studios\":[],\"people\":[],\"type\":\"news\",\"domain\":\"games\",\"is_roundup\":true}","contentType":"news","status":"written","firstSeenAt":"2026-06-16T04:53:02.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-06-18T02:30:03.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-06-18T02:32:20.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"4Gamer.net","url":"https://www.4gamer.net/games/978/G097853/20260616040/","title":"「フェイディング・エコー」「ZENONIA 1：記憶の糸」のデモをSteam Next Festで公開"},{"source":"Automaton","url":"https://automaton-media.com/articles/newsjp/20260616-449950/","title":"無料デモ一斉配信イベント「Steam Nextフェス」開幕で、ソウルライク脱出PvPvEや巨大兵器ワンオペ操作シムなどが人気爆発中。注目作をいろいろ紹介"},{"source":"Game Spark","url":"http://www.gamespark.jp/article/2026/06/18/168131.html","title":"ヴァニラウェア出身のクリエイターが奈良の山奥で6年かけて作った“読書型”ファンタジーアドベンチャー―Steam Next フェス注目ゲーム10選【2026年6月17日】"},{"source":"GameBusiness.jp","url":"https://www.gamebusiness.jp/article/2026/06/17/27239.html","title":"「Steam Nextフェス」参加タイトルの約20％は開発に生成AIを利用―海外メディアやユーザーからは不満の声"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"work_titles":[],"studios":[],"people":[],"type":"news","domain":"games","is_roundup":true},"keyFacts":["Steam Next Fest: June 2026 Edition runs from June 16 to June 23 at 2:00 AM JST, offering free demos and open beta tests for thousands of upcoming PC games.","'Mistfall Hunter,' a dark fantasy PvPvE extraction action RPG, releases on July 30 and features five classes including the newly revealed 'Wiznight.'","'IRON NEST: Heavy Turret Simulator' lets players operate a four-legged vehicle with a heavy cannon, using a ballistic calculator to adjust powder charge and elevation.","'EMPULSE,' a 6v6 movement shooter from the developers of Splitgate, includes wall-running, grappling, and pilotable Mechs, and releases on June 25.","Com2uS Holdings released demos for 'Fading Echo' and 'ZENONIA 1: Thread of Memory' during the event, both scheduled for the second half of 2026."]}