The Steam Next Fest has officially kicked off. For many, this is the main event—often more anticipated than the seasonal sales—because it lets us get our hands on upcoming titles before they hit the shelves. Gamemeca has been busy digging through the mountain of demos to bring you the ones you should definitely add to your wishlist.

First up, we have Quarantine Zone: The Last Check. It is currently sitting at a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam, with 89% of its 3,130 reviewers singing its praises. You play as a commander stationed at a shelter during a zombie apocalypse, tasked with vetting citizens to sniff out the infected.

You will need to search every inch of a citizen's body for symptoms; if you suspect an infection, you can isolate them for a re-test or send them straight to the processing facility. Since some will try to hide their condition with clothing, you have to be thorough with your UV flashlights and scanners. To keep things from getting stale, the game throws in random events—like having to gun down those who try to bolt past the checkpoint.

Teamfight Manager 2 is the follow-up to the esports team management sim from the Korean indie developer 'Team Samoyed.' While user reviews are still pending, I had to include it because it left quite an impression during this Next Fest. If you enjoyed the original, this is an absolute must-play.

The core loop of scouting, roster management, and pick-and-ban remains intact. However, unlike the original where battles played out in a static empty lot, the maps now feature lane structures, buffs, and brush—much like a proper MOBA. The AI has been significantly sharpened, with characters now utilizing the brush, and the inclusion of modern tactical trends like fearless drafts makes it feel much more like watching a real broadcast. The gameplay depth has evolved, and it really shows.

If Little Nightmares was your cup of tea, then I highly recommend Reanimal. Developed by Tarsier Studios, the team behind the first two Little Nightmares titles, this horror-adventure game is currently enjoying an 'Overwhelmingly Positive' reception from 772 players, with a 96% approval rating.

You play as a boy dropped into a mysterious location, forced to team up with a girl to escape. As expected from the creators of Little Nightmares, the atmosphere is equal parts charming and unsettling. With its dark, desaturated aesthetic and constant threats lurking in the shadows, it keeps you on edge throughout. In single-player mode, the AI handles the girl, but you can also play it as a two-player co-op experience, with each player controlling one of the leads.

If you are looking for something to kill time with a mate, Marvel Cosmic Invasion is just the ticket. It is a belt-scrolling action game where you take control of Marvel heroes to fight against the villain Annihilus. It currently holds a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam with 342 reviews.

Supporting up to four-player co-op, you choose two characters from a roster of nine—including Captain America, Nova, Storm, Venom, She-Hulk, Rocket Raccoon, Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Phyla-Vell. Each has signature moves, and the tag-action system allows you to cancel attack lag to chain together combos. The nostalgic dot-art style is, quite frankly, a lovely touch.

Painkiller is a remake of the 2004 shooter of the same name. Just like the original, you are trapped in purgatory and tasked with slaughtering waves of demons to escape. While reviews haven't been tallied yet, it earned a spot on this list because I personally found it a blast to play.

Its strength lies in the sheer satisfaction of the combat. The blistering pace and the visceral thrill of wiping out demons are reminiscent of Doom, and you can tinker with six different weapons, including rocket launchers, shotguns, and electrodrivers, to your heart's content. It also supports up to three-player co-op, making it a cracking choice for a night in with friends.