The Games to Be festival has kicked off on Steam, offering trial access to several upcoming titles. Among them is the Asian action RPG Dec from Needs Games. Although the full release is scheduled for October 12, curious players can jump in right now and form their own impressions of its world, combat, and progression systems. This window to test early builds is part of Steam’s broader initiative to let players preview new releases before committing, a move that can shape early word of mouth and influence day-one sales. It’s a chance to weigh the game’s aesthetics, performance, and pacing before the official launch, and to decide if it deserves a place on a wishlist or in a library later this fall. (VG Times)
On SteamDB, Undecember has already drawn a substantial audience, with well over 11 thousand players online at peak times. The game ranks 57th on Steam’s popularity charts, which is notable given the platform’s vast catalog. For comparison, Path of Exile sits at 60, Skyrim Special Edition rounds out 61, and The Witcher 3 sits at 63. These surrounding entries help illustrate the festival’s impact on interest in ARPG and open-world experiences, even as Undecember makes a strong case for itself with accessible mechanics and ongoing content updates. (VG Times)
The festival’s second standout is Manor Lords: Medieval Strategy, which has drawn around 5 thousand players online. The title’s emphasis on large-scale battles, resource management, and a distinct medieval aesthetic appears to be resonating with strategy enthusiasts, even while the developers remain tight-lipped about the full release date and feature set. The quiet anticipation adds a layer of mystique as players speculate about gameplay depth, faction balance, and siege dynamics. (VG Times)
Participants can explore Undecember during the festival through in-game access, and Manor Lords offers a similar window for hands-on evaluation. The timing of these trials aligns with the festival’s span, and players should note the end date and time, which marks the close of the event window. This period also serves as a practical testing phase for performance on various hardware configurations, compatibility with different graphics presets, and the effectiveness of the game’s control schemes and user interface. (VG Times)
As the event progresses, players may find themselves weighing immediate impressions against longer-term potential. Undecember’s online presence and its ranking movement within the Steam charts provide a snapshot of how well the game translates to a broader audience beyond its core fan base. Manor Lords, with its tactical complexity and historical atmosphere, invites players to imagine how its early access content might evolve into a fully realized medieval campaign. In both cases, festival access reduces friction for prospective buyers and helps creators gauge interest and balancing needs before a wider release. (VG Times)
The festival runs until October 10 at 8:00 PM Moscow time, giving players a concise window to test both titles. This structure benefits newcomers who want a taste of fresh ideas and veterans who enjoy comparing new releases against established favorites. Players can try Undecember here and Manor Lords here, making it easy to sample multiple games within a single event period and to plan future purchases or wishlist additions around one’s personal preferences and the evolving reputations of these titles. (VG Times)
Overall, the festival reflects Steam’s ongoing effort to blend trial access with discovery, letting people gauge how new mechanics, art styles, and systems perform in real-world play. It also emphasizes how user feedback during early access can guide post-launch updates, balancing changes, and potential expansions. For fans of ARPGs and medieval strategy, the event provides a timely snapshot of what’s on the horizon, while offering practical, hands-on impressions that help inform recommendations and future planning. (VG Times)