Tired of Scrolling? Noclip Found the Best Games of Steam Next Fest So You Don’t Have To
Another Steam Next Fest has come and gone, leaving thousands of game demos in its wake. It’s a fantastic opportunity for players to discover upcoming titles, but let’s be honest-it’s also completely overwhelming. How do you find the true gems in a sea of mediocrity? You let the experts do the work for you. The team at Noclip, renowned for their incredible video game documentaries, have once again sifted through the noise to bring us a list of 10 outstanding games from the October 2025 festival. These are the creative, weird, and wonderful titles that deserve a spot on your wishlist.
Noclip’s Top 10 Indie Picks to Watch
Noclip’s list is a beautifully eclectic mix of genres, showcasing the incredible creativity thriving in the indie scene. Here are the 10 games they’ve highlighted that you should be keeping an eye on:
- Skate Story: A surreal and stylish skateboarding game where you play as a demon made of glass, skating through a mesmerizing, abstract underworld. It’s as much an art piece as it is a game.
- LOVE ETERNAL: Dive into a bizarre and beautiful world in this adventure game that blends psychological horror with puzzle-solving. Its striking visual style promises a unique and unforgettable experience.
- TEARS OF METAL: A co-op, physics-based hack-and-slash roguelike. Grab some friends and carve a path through hordes of enemies in what looks to be a chaotically fun medieval adventure.
- Cairn: For fans of Getting Over It, this is a challenging and meditative climbing simulator. It’s just you, a mountain, and the daunting task of reaching the summit one careful move at a time.
- Turnip Mountain: A cozy and charming life-sim about a turnip who decides to climb a mountain. Expect quirky characters, relaxing gameplay, and a whole lot of heart.
- Yunyun Syndrome!?: A high-energy and visually loud rhythm game that simulates a ‘rhythm psychosis.’ It looks like a wonderfully weird and intense sensory experience for fans of the genre.
- It Takes a War: The title alone suggests a clever co-op experience. While details are scarce, it appears to be a narrative-driven game that requires two players to work together through conflict.
- Goodnight Universe: A surreal and emotional adventure about a baby with telekinetic powers exploring a strange and dreamlike world. Its hand-drawn art style is absolutely captivating.
- The Séance of Blake Manor: Get ready for a classic haunted house mystery. This horror game puts you in the shoes of an investigator trying to solve a supernatural cold case, with what promises to be plenty of jump scares and atmospheric dread.
- BIRDCAGE: A beautiful and intricate puzzle game where you must free birds from ornate, cleverly designed cages. It looks like a perfect game to relax with while giving your brain a workout.
FAQs
What is Steam Next Fest?
Steam Next Fest is a multi-day event held several times a year on the Steam platform. It allows developers to showcase playable demos of their upcoming games, giving players a chance to try them for free and wishlist their favorites before they are released.
Who is Noclip?
Noclip is a media company and YouTube channel founded by Danny O’Dwyer. They are famous for producing high-quality, long-form documentaries about the making of video games, earning a reputation as one of the most respected voices in games media.
What makes this list special?
Coming from Noclip, this list is curated by a team with a deep love and understanding of game development. They tend to highlight games with unique mechanics, strong artistic vision, and a lot of heart, often discovering gems that might otherwise get lost in the shuffle.
Are the games on this list free?
The demos featured during Steam Next Fest are free to play for the duration of the event. The full games, however, will be paid products when they are eventually released. Playing the demo is a great way to decide if you want to buy the full game later.
How can I play these games?
While the October 2025 Steam Next Fest is over, many developers keep their demos available on their Steam store pages. The best way to play them is to search for each game on Steam and see if a demo is still downloadable. At the very least, you can add them to your wishlist to be notified when they launch.
What kind of games are on the list?
The list is incredibly diverse. It includes everything from a psychedelic skateboarding game (Skate Story) and a challenging climbing simulator (Cairn) to a cozy life-sim (Turnip Mountain) and a co-op roguelike (TEARS OF METAL). It’s a great snapshot of the creativity in indie game development right now.
Conclusion
Events like Steam Next Fest are a double-edged sword: a treasure trove of new experiences, but an overwhelming one. That’s why trusted curators like Noclip are so invaluable. Their October 2025 list is a fantastic starting point for anyone looking to discover their next favorite indie game. By highlighting these 10 unique titles, they’ve given us a glimpse into the exciting, weird, and wonderful future of gaming. So head over to Steam, check out these demos if they’re still available, and give them a wishlist-you might just find the best game you’ll play all year.