4 Standout indie.io Games Taking Part in Steam Next Fest

IGN

by coreydemoss

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Steam Next Fest is back, showcasing a variety of indie games with 13 titles from indie.io taking center stage. Among these, four standout games offer unique experiences: *Pluto*, a roguelike deckbuilder where players cast spells using elemental sigils connected to their fingers; *Esports Manager 2026*, a strategy-sim game where you lead an esports team through talent acquisition, financial planning, and tournament success; *SoulQuest*, an action RPG inspired by Celtic mythology, featuring fast-paced combat and secret missions; and *City States: Medieval*, a medieval city-building game from Reverie World Studios. *Pluto* stands out for its innovative spellcasting system, requiring players to experiment with card combinations to synergize spells. The game’s time-sensitive narrative challenges players to break out of jail while managing elemental interactions. With a March 9 release date and a new demo available, *Pluto* offers a fresh take on roguelike deckbuilding. *Esports Manager 2026* delves into the behind-the-scenes of esports teams, allowing players to scout real-life athletes, manage finances, and navigate tournament

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Originally published on IGN on 2/23/2026