Accessed Archive: Nextfest Summer 2026

Apparently, the end of the world is brought about by a little guy in a cloak doing increasingly complicated pokemon strength puzzles. Turns out, I actually really like increasingly complicated pokemon strength puzzles. I was drawn to this game by its art style and colours with, frankly, no idea what the actual gameplay was. The result is simple but welcome- Dittori takes an age-old formula and adds new pieces to it frequently enough to keep it interesting. The demo was short but did make me want to play all the content available- I'll be curious to seeif it can keep up with its own pace in the full release.

Score: 6.5/10    Tags: 2D, Puzzler, Block Pusher

In a paranormal take on Hypnospace Outlaw, you investigate and classify potential hauntings based on submitted evidence from a Windows 95 style CRT monitor. The game has a good sense of its own atmosphere, but makes a few choices that undercut itself. First of all, it's a puzzler that drops you right into its puzzles with no real effort to show you what you should be looking for, leading to some early frustration. This might be fine if it gave you the space to explore, but the game puts some heavy artifical pressure on through daily time limits and 'rent' to be able to continue doing our job, which actively discourages you from actually checking out what the cases have to offer. If they're willing to change up those key aspects of the gameplay loop, this could end up being something really engaging.

Score: 5/10    Tags: Paranormal, Horror, Detective

What an absolute delight! Phonopolis is a completely uniquely crafted whimsical cardboard dystopia with unbelievably tactile puzzles. On paper (heh), I suppose its a point and click, but that feels like a disservice to how creative it actually is. In practice, Phonopolis really feels like you're playing with a cardboard diorama, or perhaps one of those weirdly ethereal eye spy books you had as a kid. The world is just absolutely lovely, and working your way through the puzzles gives you a pure sense of joy. This is already out now and an instant pickup for me.

Score: 8.5/10    Tags: Puzzle, Stylized, 'Point-and-Click'

Suri is... a rhythm game without a sense of rhythm. I've been really into the rhythm/action platformer genre in the past with things like Crypt of the Necrodancer, but despite this demo giving me MORE than a clear enough idea of what the game is about, extending past its entire first act, I found myself fighting with it the whole way through. The character, unfortunately seems to move on a different clock than everything else in the world, resulting in unsatisfying movement combos and frustrating recoveries. There are bones of something good here, but for it to really be what they want, some fundamental changes need to happen that I don't see happening.

Score: 4/10    Tags: Rhythm, Platformer

Hooooly shit. This is the most fired up I've been after a demo in a LONG time, maybe since Cobalt Core. Nocturne is a rhythm RPG with SOUL. It's rhythm-based combat ramps up steadily in both challenge and grip, and a beautiful package of stunning pixel art, a heartfelt story, memorable characters, and a brilliant premise make up a strong heartbeat of its first act. So far, every aspect of the game has acted in service of its identity, and I cannot wait for its release this September.

Score: 9/10    Tags: Rhythm, RPG, Narrative

I started this without knowing it was a horror game, and. Uh. It is! But a really compelling one at that. It genuinely put a knot in my stomach at the end of the demo, so it absolutely deserves points for doing what it wants to do. The mechanics of puzzle-solving here are actually really interesting- without spoiling too much, the haunted gallery you're inside of and the art that accompanies you within affect each other deeply. In the short time it gave me, I already saw several signs that this relationship will be used to great effect. If you are a fan of atmospheric horror, give this game a try for sure.

Score: 7.5/10    Tags: Atmopheric, Puzzler, Horror

This game is perfectly servicable, but as a 2D action platformer, I'm struggling to think of a reason to pick it up in a field full of spectacular games. It certainly has some charm and polish, but it started to wear off for me already by the end of my time with the demo. The gameplay is thin and I don't find the quirky veneer it's presented under compelling enough to stick through it. It wears its inspiration transparently from the early Kirby games, and while it doesn't do anything wrong, it's just kind of... inoffensively ok.

Score: 5/10    Tags: 2D, Action, Platformer

A slew of 2D action platformers have become a staple of every Nextfest. As a fan of the genre, I always like to look out for them, but end up judging them quite harshly simply due to the variety already available. Torii falls firmly into that category, and while I think I am not quite the target audience, I do think there are people that will really connect to this game. It boasts a beautiful hand-drawn art style and a simple but challenging combat system, and although the protagonist was too no-nonsense for my tastes, the world here certainly has potential. If you are someone who enjoys uphill battles and doesn't mind learning to fight at a different tempo, this may be worth a look. I certainly got the impression that the game has much more depth than I reached in my limited time.

Score: 6/10    Tags: 2D, Action, Platformer

It's Trivia Murder Party! But Three! This is a strange one to rate- TMP2 has long been one of my Jackbox staples, and this is, largely, more of the same with a fresh coat of paint, new questions, and some new ways to die. There does seem to a shift in the philosophy of hte game away from 'outlast your friends' in its transition to a bulkier, standalone experience- with the new thread system, you never really become a ghost, simply losing score on death instead. It seems to be leaning more towards a 'set length' game structure- there is certainly some clunk to iron out, but this could certainly earn its place as Jackbox's first solo endeavour in years.

Score: 6.5/10    Tags: Party Game, Multiplayer