If you're on the hunt for a promising demo during the Steam Next Fest, consider diving into the world of Sandustry, a mining and automation game recommended by a Palworld developer.

John Buckley, designer and community manager for Palworld, highlighted Sandustry in response to a Twitter user's request for game recommendations.  While acknowledging the game's potential roughness, Buckley encouraged players to give it a shot, hinting at its unique appeal.

Currently available to demo on Steam, Sandustry distinguishes itself with its dynamic sand physics, adding an extra layer of complexity to the mining and automation gameplay.

As described in the game's overview, players can "Explore a destructible world by digging and demolishing the terrain. Construct a sand processing plant, expand your logistics network, and delve deep into the mines. Discover new technologies and unravel the mysteries within."

Visually, Sandustry possesses a distinct charm reminiscent of Terraria, captivating players with its aesthetic appeal.  A glance at the current Steam reviews reveals a shared enthusiasm for this intriguing title.

One reviewer raves, "Absolutely stunning. This is the first game since Factorio that's put me in that magical flow state where hours melt away like minutes."

Another review offers constructive feedback:  "Pretty good. This is a great showing for Next Fest.  The one killer though is that everything in the game is SLOOOOOW. Even the gravity is slow.  Makes it a slog to play.  Hopefully, the final running speed is much faster.  No joke, you could up the speed of everything by 50% and it would only make the game better."