Game Informer's Steam Fest Hidden Gems REVEALED! You Won't Believe These!

Steam Next Fest is upon us once again, and as always, the sheer volume of demos is enough to make your head spin. But don't worry, your friendly neighborhood Game Informer editors are here to sift through the noise and highlight some truly promising titles. We've been knee-deep in demos all day, fueled by copious amounts of coffee and a genuine love for discovering the next hidden gem. We'll be updating this list as the week progresses, so be sure to check back often before Next Fest wraps up next Monday, March 2nd!

Game Informer's Steam Fest Hidden Gems REVEALED! Y...

First up is SoulQuest from SoulBlade Studio. Now, I'm a sucker for a stylish action game, but it's rare to see that translated so well into 2D. This indie title puts you in the shoes of Alys, a warrior on a quest to rescue her husband from some seriously ticked-off Celtic gods. Combat is the name of the game here. Think lightning-fast combos, launching skeletons and mythical beasties into the air, and juggling them with incredibly satisfying attacks. I will say, the level design is fairly straightforward, and the dialogue could use a bit of a polish, but the core action is genuinely thrilling. I'm excited to see the final product when it releases later this year. - Marcus Stewart

Want to give it a whirl? Check out the SoulQuest demo here.

Next, we have Arkheron by Bonfire Studios. Now, I'll be honest, a battle royale label usually doesn't grab my attention. I recently previewed this for a couple of hours, and came away surprisingly impressed. This isometric PvP action game throws 15 trios into a *Diablo*-esque dark fantasy setting, complete with dungeons, loot, and plenty of monsters to slay. Don't let the isometric perspective fool you – this plays more like a shooter. The camera rotates around your character, demanding surprisingly precise aiming, almost like *Valorant*.

The real draw for me was the thrill of finding new weapons and loot as my trio battled our way to the top of the tower. The intense PvP arena battles were great. A cool mechanic involves collecting gear from 10 god-like beings called Eternals; collecting sets grants bonuses, and getting all four pieces transforms you into the Eternal, unleashing devastating attacks. I went into great detail in my full preview, but seriously, you need to experience this one for yourself. Bonfire Studios is keeping the Arkheron servers up 24/7 for Steam Next Fest, so jump in from now until March 2nd! - Wesley LeBlanc

Ready to dive in? Grab the Arkheron demo here.

And finally, let's talk about Titanium Court from AP Thomson. To simply call this a match-3 game would be a grave injustice. Yes, the core mechanics are there: sliding tiles, clearing lines, deploying automated troops to battle the enemy. But it's the surreal style and tone that elevates this game into something truly special. Between battles, you're guided through a dreamlike narrative, flitting between conversations and shifting rooms. The overt nods to *A Midsummer Night's Dream*, with the titular faerie court and your assistant, Puck, create a joyful, strange, and mesmerizing experience. There's a certain magic at play here, and it is something that must be experienced for yourself.