So Many New Steam Games, So Little Time
Every week a wave of new releases hits Steam and it is easy for great PC games to slip by unnoticed. If you like trying fresh experiences before they go mainstream, it helps to have a quick rundown of what is worth your attention.
This week brings a mix of fast paced shooters, retro style dungeon crawling, a nostalgic fantasy MMO and a story driven FMV thriller. Whether you are into twitchy reflex gameplay, old school role playing or laid back online adventures with friends, there is probably something here to add to your library.
Below is a simple breakdown of five notable new PC games on Steam, what they play like and why they might be worth your time as a gamer.
Fast Action And Classic Inspired Combat
If you enjoy intense combat and quick runs rather than long campaigns, two of the standouts this week are Oddcore and Vital Shell. Both take inspiration from classic styles but update them with modern systems that PC gamers will recognize.
Oddcore
Oddcore is a retro styled first person shooter that feels like a throwback but with a roguelite twist. Think classic fast movement shooters with tight compact levels, but built around short runs where you are racing against the clock.
- You blast your way through more than 50 areas packed with over 25 enemy types.
- Each run is limited by a strict five minute timer which adds constant pressure.
- You collect stackable items that can dramatically reshape your build and playstyle.
- The game is in early access which means more weapons, enemies and levels are planned.
This is great for players who like games that reward mastery and experimentation. The timer forces you to learn layouts, enemy patterns and which items synergize best. Because it is roguelite based, every run can feel different, which works well if you want a game you can hop into for quick sessions on your PC.
Vital Shell
Vital Shell is a mech game that borrows that endlessly satisfying loop from Vampire Survivors and drops it into a wave based sci fi arena shooter.
- You pilot one of five base mech frames and customize it as you level up.
- The game uses a progression system similar to Vampire Survivors where you constantly choose new upgrades and abilities.
- There are thousands of possible build combinations which invites theory crafting and replayability.
- The visual style has a strong 1990s PlayStation vibe, complete with high energy breakbeat music in the trailer.
If you enjoy tweaking builds and seeing how broken you can make a character, this game will probably suck you in. It is especially appealing if you like the idea of a simple control scheme combined with deep build variety. Running this on your PC does not look demanding, so it should be friendly to a wide range of setups.
Classic RPG Feel And A Free Old School MMO
Not every great PC game is about reflexes. Some of the most interesting new releases focus more on exploration, story and that nostalgic feeling of older role playing and online games.
Dungeon Antiqua 2
Dungeon Antiqua 2 is a direct sequel to a smaller 2024 release that quietly found an audience. It takes heavy inspiration from classic 8 bit Japanese role playing games, especially the dungeon crawling side of them.
- Top down exploration of dungeons, towns and overworld areas.
- Turn based sidelong combat that feels straight out of the NES era.
- Very traditional approach to mechanics which will feel instantly familiar to genre fans.
- Simple but well crafted pixel art to emphasize the nostalgic look.
This is the kind of game that will appeal if you grew up on old school console RPGs but prefer playing on PC today. Since it clings tightly to classic design, it is a good entry point for beginners who want to understand what made those early games so beloved, without needing to dig out actual retro hardware or emulators.
Dreadmyst
Dreadmyst stands out because it is a fully free to play fantasy MMO built by a single developer, with a clear promise of no monetization. That alone is unusual in the modern online gaming space.
- Isometric viewpoint that recalls older online RPGs.
- Combat uses a tab target system similar to World of Warcraft which many MMO players will be used to.
- Four core classes to choose from paladin, mage, ranger and cleric.
- Cooperative dungeons designed for group play.
- No paid content or microtransactions planned which makes it feel more like late 1990s era MMOs.
For PC gamers who miss the days of simple subscription free online worlds or who just want something to play with friends without worrying about a cash shop, Dreadmyst is worth a look. Because the visuals are fairly modest, it should be very accessible even on older gaming rigs or laptops.
Story Driven FMV For Something Different
Blood Money Lethal Eden
Rounding out the list is Blood Money Lethal Eden, a full motion video thriller that leans into interactive storytelling more than raw mechanics. It is built around a dark and modern premise.
- You play a character who is catfished by a fake love interest.
- The story drags you into a real world style scam center operation in South East Asia.
- Your character is forced to help scam other vulnerable people online.
- The presentation and structure are closer to a dating sim and interactive drama but with a much darker tone.
- It has quickly picked up hundreds of overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam.
This is a good pick if you want a break from high intensity gameplay and just want to experience a tense modern story on your PC. Because it is FMV driven, it is also a comfortable option for people using less powerful machines since most of the load is video playback.
With so many releases flooding Steam every day, it is easy to overlook gems like these. From fast paced shooters and mech survival arenas to nostalgic dungeon crawling, fully free MMOs and dark interactive thrillers, there is a lot here for PC gamers to explore. If any of these concepts grab you, it may be worth adding them to your wishlist so they do not get buried by the next wave of releases.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/software/platforms/five-new-steam-games-you-probably-missed-january-12-2026/
