The latest Steam Next Fest features a pile of Palworld-likes as witches and airships battle over the creature-collecting survival subgenre
PC Gamer
by Lincoln Carpenter February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The latest Steam Next Fest has kicked off with a wave of new creature-collecting survival games inspired by *Palworld*, which sold 12 million copies on Steam within two weeks. This genre, often referred to as "Palworld-like," is now thriving with fresh takes and unique twists, offering gamers a variety of experiences built around base-building, exploration, and resource management. Among the standout titles at the festival are Witchspire, Guardians of the Wild Sky, Oddfauna: Secret of the Terrabeast, and Layer Land—each bringing its own creative spin to the formula.
Witchspire stands out as a cohesive blend of magic and survival mechanics, where players take on the role of witches who use spells to build structures, harvest resources, and tame magical creatures. The game’s charming art style and seamless integration of witchcraft into its gameplay have earned it a mostly positive reception, though some early feedback highlights the need for more polish before launch. On the other hand, *Guardians of the Wild Sky* brings airships into the mix, allowing players to explore and construct floating bases while managing crops with the help of creatures. Its bold use of verticality and imaginative skybound adventures have contributed to its overwhelmingly positive reception.
While Witchspire and Guardians of the Wild Sky aim for polished gameplay, *Oddfauna: Secret of the Terrabeast* takes a more whimsical approach, focusing on adorable, gremlin-like creatures called oddfauna. Players help cultivate a massive, living biome known as a terrabeast by befriending and riding these creatures. The game’s charming, childlike art style and playful mechanics make it a standout choice for fans of cute, lighthearted gameplay. Meanwhile, *Layer Land* attempts to innovate with AI-driven creature generation, though its visuals and execution have left some critics underwhelmed.
The rise of Palworld-like games at Steam Next Fest highlights the gaming industry’s ability to adapt and innovate in response to a breakout hit. These titles not only showcase diversity within the subgenre but also cater to different player preferences—whether they
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Originally published on PC Gamer on 2/23/2026