Steam’s Next Fest offers a thrilling opportunity for gamers to dive into various demos of upcoming titles. This year’s standout, an older tech demo for Half Sword, shines a spotlight on the enduring allure of melee combat. The game meticulously mimics 15th-century martial arts, pushing the boundaries of physics-based interactions, and has drawn considerable player interest during the event.

Half Sword is designed in collaboration with experts in Historical European Martial Arts, offering an authentic experience with a focus on historical weapon usage and techniques. The realism extends to the consequences of combat, with frequent instances of brutal dismemberments, reflecting a dedicated approach to historical accuracy in its portrayal of combat.

Developer plans for new demo content were initially scrapped as they concentrated on refining existing mechanics and boosting performance, but they remain committed to engaging their audience with daily updates during the festival.

In the grand landscape of Steam Next Fest, while Half Sword currently leads the spotlight, it isn’t alone; other notable mentions include the typing battle royale Final Sentence and the survival shooter Road to Vostok. Players are encouraged to join in and explore what the festival has to offer!