Rubinite Emerges as the Standout of Steam Next Fest — A Dark Boss-Focused Action Game With Flawless Combat

During October’s Steam Next Fest, one of the most talked-about titles was Rubinite — the debut project from indie studio Cup Dog Games. Despite being labeled as a Soulslike on its store page, it’s not a typical entry in the genre but rather a tightly designed isometric boss rush centered entirely around precise combat mechanics.

The protagonist, Ruby, is a princess who fled the Crimson Kingdom and now fights her way back through a series of duels against monstrous foes. The gameplay emphasizes dodging, building up “blood marks,” and executing risky critical strikes that demand perfect timing.

According to festival participants, the demo stands out not for its scale but for its polish — featuring instant restarts, consistent speed, intuitive controls, and a satisfying sense of impact. The dark pixel-art visuals and minimalist animations create a bleak yet elegant atmosphere, while the soundtrack and sound design heighten the tension of each encounter.

Rubinite is set to release in spring 2026, and the demo is already available on Steam.

Earlier, we reported on other notable demos from the festival.