Montpellier, France, June 19th, 2023 – Boutique publishing label Dear Villagers will be showcasing its upcoming line-up by offering free public demos of three of its games for Steam Next Fest, running from June 19th-26th. Here players will get their first look at the whimsical dungeon maker, Naheulbeuk’s Dungeon Master, the hot-air ballooning survival adventure Passing By – A Tailwind Journey, and the cozy retro RPG Born of Bread.

“Dear Villagers has a very promising lineup of games coming out this year, and Steam Next Fest provides players with a small peak at some of these titles soonest on the horizon,” said Guillaume Jamet, Head of Publishing for Dear Villagers. “These games are all different genres and offer different tones, yet we think there is a commonality of spirit that unites them all. Dear Villagers is a small boutique publisher, so we strive to bring players heartfelt, narrative experiences that align with our values as a showcase for passionate artists bursting with creativity.”

Here are more details on each game for you to check out during Steam Next Fest:

Born of Bread
WildArts Games

Born of Bread is a home-cooked retro turn-based role-playing adventure that throws back to classic cartoony RPGs full of fun characters and charming stories for children and adults alike. Beings from another age are causing havoc across the land and their mischief comes as a great threat for everyone. The unlikeliest hero, a golem born of bread, will find himself and his newfound friends in the middle of a drama that’s thousands of years in the making.

Play as Loaf, the flour golem, who possesses a never-ending childlike wonder, and explore the wonderful world ripe with mysteries, from the enigmatic ruins of the Forest of Roots to the freezing landscapes of Frosty Flats. With the help of your buddies, face off against menacing baddies and engage in fun and quirky turn-based combat.

This brand new demo encapsulates the first 45-60 minutes of the game, unlike the prior demo’s isolated story. Here players will discover new mechanics, such as an extensive combat tutorial, an introduction to the skill tree, and you’ll meet your first companion. The full game will feature new zones, allies, NPCs, sidequests, mini-games, settings, and a unique “Battle Broadcast” system that offers a fictitious, in-game chat stream during battles.

Naheulbeuk’s Dungeon Master
Artefacts Studio

Naheulbeuk’s Dungeon Master lets players create and customize their own zany, accursed dungeon. Set in the satirical heroic fantasy universe of Dungeon of Naheulbeuk in years long past, the Dungeon of Naheulbeuk is in bad shape, close to bankruptcy, and falling apart under the surveillance of the Dungeons Fund. The great sorcerer Zangdar has hired you, the gobelin steward Reivax, to build, manage and defend your dungeon.

It is now your job to rebuild everything, replenish the account’s balance, restore the reputation, recruit  employees, and attract adventurers. As the new dungeon master, you’ll have to design and decorate your dungeon, growing it from a shaky establishment to an infamous lair. Manage your workforce by recruiting minions (or hunt for slaves), avoid a strike, and create a positive work environment. Better make good use of that torture room!

Of course the greater the dungeon’s reputation, the more adventurers will seek to raid it. Lure them to their doom by catering to their weak points (Dwarves love beer, Elves love stuffed animals, and Barbarians love… their muscles). Uncover new lore, make your way through a fully narrated campaign, and tinker around to your black heart’s content in this infinitely replayable sandbox!

Naheulbeuk’s Dungeon Master is coming to Steam and the Epic Games Store this summer.

Passing By – A Tailwind Journey
Studio Windsocke

Passing By – A Tailwind Journey is a hot air ballooning survival adventure set in a beautiful, whimsical world of floating isles and a never-ceasing west wind. You embark on a memorable voyage as Curly, a young balloonist, who is tasked with delivering a mysterious letter.

In this innovative genre hybrid of 2D puzzle platformer, survival and adventure game, you can explore the world at your own leisure, traveling from island to island by balloon ship and solving various puzzles while having to manage your resources in order to survive. Befriend fellow travelers and quirky islanders, use your wits to solve immersive puzzles, and gather enough resources to continue to where your journey takes you!

But remember: since the west wind only ever blows in one direction, once you decide to leave an island, this means goodbye forever. May your burner always warm you and the west wind ever favor you!

This demo provides the game’s first 15 minutes, taking players through the tutorial area and the first couple of islands. The full game will feature a much expanded scope with additional islands, NPCs, and the ability to save your progress.

Passing By – A Tailwind Journey coming soon to PC.