Steam Next Fest showcases 2023’s indie racing releases

Steam’s Next Fest returns this week, as it showcases the best upcoming games of 2023.

What is Steam Next Fest?

Steam Next Fest occurs every four months, with developers live streaming Q&A and gameplay sessions of their games, with free demos available to try. Games that are in Steam Early Access before Next Fest are ineligible for promotion.

Next Fest heavily features smaller or completely independent developers and their games but also sees larger studios join the fray. Most featured games are in an advanced state of development but may still present a few issues – worth bearing in mind before you dive in.

Steam Next Fest runs from the 6th of February to the 13th of February and we’ve picked out a few racing highlights below you may be interested in.

GeneRally 2

A follow-up to the top-down classic GeneRally, GeneRally 2 borrows much of the gameplay characteristics of its predecessor while offering polished graphics, a powerful track editor and updated simulation features such as damage, tyre wear, day/night cycle and changeable weather.

We’ve already had a hands-on test of the demo and can’t wait to try the full game.

Defi Gravity

Defi Gravity from MetaXSeed Games is heavily inspired by the F-Zero and Wipeout series. With impressive visuals plus customisable ships, we wonder if the game will match up to similar recent indie releases like Gravity Chase and Phaseshift.

MetaXSeed is aiming to release Defi Gravity on the 24th of March, but you can try the demo for free right now on Steam.

Route 66 Simulator

From Polish developer PlayWay, famous for surprise hit Car Mechanic Simulator 2021, Route 66 Simulator plays in a similar vein, obliging players to fix up and build a car to drive across America’s most iconic road.

The game looks good from initial impressions, promising something a little out of this world…

Octane Remix

Octane Remix is a colourfully quick arcade racer placing players in obstacle-filled arenas and procedurally generated tracks, making each playthrough different.

Team Velocita’s indie racing game also features a track creator. Nice.

Formula Retro Racing – World Tour

Repixel8 and CGA Games’ Formula Retro Racing – World Tour inches ever closer to a full release this year, with its NExt Fest appearance coming off the back of its announced Kickstarter campaign.

Formula Retro Racing – World Tour features retro Virtua Racing style visuals with a soundtrack to match, replete with split-screen multiplayer and more vehicles and tracks than its Formula Retro Racing predecessor.

Will you be picking up any free racing game demos from the Steam Next Fest? Let us know in the comments below.

Steam Next Fest 6th-13tth February 2023, racing game highlights

• Defi Gravity
• Formula Retro Racing – World Tour
• GeneRally 2
• Hello Engineer
• Octane Remix
• RACE: Rocket Arena Car Extreme
• Rally 9000
• RingRaceR
• Route 66 Simulator
• Tray Racers!