I played 20 cozy game demos in Steam Next Fest and these 5 made it onto my wishlist

During the Steam Next Fest, I had the opportunity to play 20 game demos and found five that I'm eager to add to my wishlist. The first game, Fields of Aaru, is an ancient Egyptian afterlife farm sim with a unique visual style that initially didn't appeal to me. However, after playing the demo, I was won over by the low framerate animation and the soft, cohesive environment lighting.

The characters in the game have distinct personalities, and managing hydration to explore the desert adds an interesting twist. Additionally, I appreciate the abstract currency system (memories) and daily objectives, similar to Roots of Pacha, but with a focus on a more non-capitalistic approach.

Next, I played Farm & Feast, a cute farming-plus-restaurant sim set to release on November 11. Unlike my previous experience with Travellers Rest, Farm & Feast seems to have more detailed gameplay mechanics. Players can make substitutions to menu items on each order, serve drinks, and type receipt totals into a handset. This added depth to the farm sim genre is appealing, and I'm optimistic that I'll enjoy it as much as I did Travellers Rest.

Another game that caught my attention is Logisticats, a city builder with a release date of TBA. I've always enjoyed chill city builders, but none have managed to grab my interest since Fabledom. Logisticats seems to strike a balance between semi-deep resource management and cute characters, making it a strong contender for my wishlist.

Beastfolk Barber, set to release at TBA, is a visual novel with some hair styling minigames and a plot about a demon bargain. While I didn't gel with the previous Coffee Talk, the demo for Beastfolk Barber impressed me. The insightful writing about a world where humans coexist with fantasy creatures and the real-life interpersonal challenges that come with it drew me in.

The concept of a dramatic family gathering with someone out to get grandma on her 84th birthday adds an extra layer of cozy horror, reminiscent of Knives Out but with a unique twist.

Lastly, Apple Crumble, scheduled for release on December 3, is a snack-sized horror story about a family gathering where someone has it out for grandma on her 84th birthday. The game's full length is planned to be between 60-90 minutes, which fits perfectly with my preference for short, immersive experiences. The black sheep daughter taking on the role of the main character adds a fresh perspective to the genre, and the overall premise makes Apple Crumble a gem that I can't wait to experience.