From October 19 to 26, the Steam Next Fest kicks off, offering free demos for a large batch of indie games. With so many roguelike demos available, it's hard to know which to try first. If you're picking just a few, "Qimen Dunjia" deserves a spot on your list. It's a Chinese chess roguelike—the "Qi" in the name refers to chess, not the divination-themed "Qimen Dunjia."
Cards follow Chinese chess rules; no learning curve for players
Every card in your hand is a Chinese chess move: the horse moves diagonally, the cannon fires over another piece, and pawns never retreat once they cross the river. If you know how to play Chinese chess, you barely need instructions; one look tells you if a move is valid. Even powerful cards are useless if placed on the wrong square, while an unassuming card in the right spot can turn the tide. Each round feels like solving a small endgame puzzle, leaving you eager for another match.
Enemies telegraph their attacks
It's similar to Into the Breach: mythical creatures telegraph the squares they intend to attack. Step aside, and the strike misses; stand on the wrong square, and you're surrounded. Intentions are laid bare, so victory depends on reading the board, not luck.
Matches last 30–45 minutes, perfect for Next Fest
The demo features the Horse Master: build up "momentum" through positioning, throw spears onto the board, and recall them all with a single command, piercing any enemies in their path. Among the Nine Stars bosses, you'll encounter three: Tianchong, Tianqin, and Tianxin. Tianchong telegraphs its charge with a straight red line; simply shift one square to the side to dodge. A match lasts 30 to 45 minutes. During Next Fest, when you're trying out several demos a day, this length is perfect for completing a full run before deciding whether to wishlist it.
Chinese style goes beyond textures
The story draws from the Battle of Zhuolu: the Yellow Emperor used the Dunjia arts taught by the Mysterious Lady to defeat Chi You, leaving behind an endgame that has lasted three thousand years. The board features over forty types of mythical creatures, each with its own backstory—the wolf embodies the resentment of fallen soldiers from Zhuolu, while the fox represents the corrupted Qingqiu lineage. Delivering the final blow with "Yinling" allows you to add these creatures to your deck. The entire battlefield unfolds on a desk, with a lacquered tray as the ground and miniature carvings as pieces. The game supports Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and eight other languages, and is available on Windows and Mac.
Bonus: Full version supports co-op
The Next Fest demo is single-player. The full version is planned for Q4 2026 and will support 2–3 player co-op in addition to single-player: each player brings their own class and deck to the same board. Cannons require a piece to jump over to fire, so a teammate standing on the board serves as an instant mount; each of the three classes also has exclusive cards only available in co-op. If you're waiting for multiplayer, go ahead and add it to your wishlist.
How to play during Next Fest?
Search for "Qimen Dunjia" on Steam to find the free demo. It was already playable before the Next Fest began.
FAQs
Which roguelike demos are worth playing during Steam Next Fest?
"Qimen Dunjia" is one such title: using Chinese chess moves as cards, enemies telegraph their attacks, matches last 30 to 45 minutes, and the demo is free to play.
When does the October 2026 Steam Next Fest start?
"Qimen Dunjia" is participating in the October 19–26 session. In Beijing Time, it starts at 1 AM on October 20 and ends at 1 AM on October 27.
Recommendations for co-op card roguelikes?
The full version of "Qimen Dunjia" supports 2–3 player co-op, where teammates standing on the board can serve as mounts for cannons and guards.
Can the Next Fest demo be played in co-op?
The "Qimen Dunjia" demo is single-player only; multiplayer will be in the full release.