Funselektor Labs’ off-road exploration game Over the Hill has launched a free demo during Steam Next Fest. With over 1 million wishlists and Very Positive reviews, the Art of Rally spiritual successor is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most anticipated indie titles.
Over the Hill, the upcoming off-road exploration game from Funselektor Labs and Strelka Games, launched its free demo on Steam on 12 June 2026 as part of the Steam Next Fest. The game has already surpassed 1 million wishlists on Steam, and the demo currently holds a “Very Positive” rating from over 1,000 user reviews, with 81% positive feedback. For fans of Art of Rally or anyone who enjoys a slower, more meditative driving experience, this is the demo to try before the festival ends on 22 June.
What Kind of Game Is Over the Hill?
Over the Hill is not a traditional racing game. Developed by Funselektor Labs (the studio behind Art of Rally and Absolute Drift) in partnership with Strelka Games, it is an off-road exploration game set in the “golden age of off-roading.” Players drive iconic vehicles inspired by classics from the 1960s to 1980s, including models reminiscent of the Land Rover 110, Land Cruiser, and Ford Bronco, through vast wilderness areas inspired by real-world landscapes.
The core loop centres on exploration and discovery rather than competition. You navigate challenging terrain, find hidden points of interest, unlock new vehicles and cosmetic upgrades, photograph wildlife, and take on optional challenge trails that test your driving skills. Dynamic weather, a day-night cycle, and realistic terrain deformation keep the world feeling alive and unpredictable.
As PC Gamer put it in their hands-on preview: “Over the Hill lands closer to real love of the wheel. Funselektor understands it in a way that an awful lot of studios miss.” Polygon called it “minimalist and chill to the point of mindfulness,” while The Drive described it as “virtual off-roading that will lower your blood pressure.”
What Does the Demo Include?
The free demo covers Emerald Lake, the first area of The Valhallas region, inspired by the landscapes of British Columbia, Canada. It is a sizeable chunk of wilderness featuring dense forests, lakeside routes, and steep mountain terrain. You can explore the entire area solo or with up to three friends in online co-op multiplayer.
Three classic off-road vehicles are available in the demo, each of which can be equipped with tools such as winches for crossing gaps, camping sets for resting in the wild, and a meteorite radar for tracking resources. The area features multiple discoverable points of interest, stranded vehicles to rescue, scenic lookouts, and technical Challenge Trails designed to push your off-road skills to the limit.
Wildlife photography is also part of the experience. You carry a Polaroid-style camera and can capture images of the animals you encounter during exploration.
How Has the Community Responded?
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. The demo holds an 81% positive rating from over 1,000 Steam reviews, earning the “Very Positive” tag. PC Gamer’s Andy Chalk wrote an extensive hands-on piece praising the demo’s hypnotic pacing, noting that he spent over 30 minutes trying to pull a single stranded vehicle from a bog and enjoyed every second of it.
The broader interest is equally impressive. Over the Hill hit 200,000 wishlists within just one month of its January 2025 announcement, according to GameDiscover. By April 2026, it had crossed the 1 million wishlist mark, prompting Funselektor to host a closed playtest from 24 to 26 April to celebrate the milestone. As of mid-June 2026, the game ranks among the top 25 most wishlisted upcoming titles on Steam.
From Art of Rally to Over the Hill: How Funselektor Evolved
Funselektor Labs, founded by Dune Casu, first gained attention with Absolute Drift and then broader recognition with Art of Rally, a top-down rally racing game that Forbes called “2020’s most beautiful driving game.” Both titles featured a minimalist, stylised visual approach and a focus on driving feel over simulation fidelity.
Over the Hill represents a deliberate evolution away from high-speed competition. Where Art of Rally was about precision drifting at pace, Over the Hill asks players to slow down, think about their route, and enjoy the scenery. Forbes described it as a “spiritual successor” that takes “the driving adventure to even more challenging landscapes.” The collaboration with Strelka Games, who previously co-developed the F1-themed management game Golden Lap with Funselektor, brings additional development resources to a much more ambitious project.
Which Platforms Will Over the Hill Launch On?
Over the Hill will initially launch on PC via Steam in the second half of 2026. Console versions for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2 will follow after the PC release. Physical editions are planned for PS5 and Switch 2, with Standard and Collector’s Edition pre-orders expected to open soon.
The game was originally slated for late 2025 but was pushed to 2026 to allow more development time. As of early 2026, Funselektor and Strelka Games had not confirmed a specific launch date, though they indicated the second half of 2026 remains the target window.
System Requirements
Over the Hill runs on the Unity Engine and, thanks to its stylised visuals, does not demand cutting-edge hardware. The minimum specifications listed on Steam are:
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: Intel Core i5-7400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1070 / AMD Vega-56
- DirectX: Version 11
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 4 GB available space
The demo supports eight interface languages: English, French, German, Spanish (Spain), Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, and Ukrainian. Some early demo players have noted performance hiccups, which is expected given the game’s work-in-progress status.
How Long Is the Demo Available?
The Over the Hill demo went live on 12 June 2026 and will remain available until the end of Steam Next Fest on 22 June 2026. This particular Next Fest features over 4,000 playable demos, and Over the Hill stands out as one of the most talked-about entries. Destructoid and Game8 both included it in their recommended demo lists for the event.
To try it, search for “over the hill Demo” on the Steam store or visit the game’s main Steam page and click the demo download button. You can also wishlist the full game to get notified when a release date and pricing are confirmed.
Things Players Usually Want to Know
Is Over the Hill a racing game?
No. There are no races, lap times, or competitive leaderboards. Over the Hill is an exploration-first driving game where the journey matters more than the destination. Challenge Trails offer skill-based tests, but they are about precision and patience, not speed.
How does co-op multiplayer work?
Up to four players can explore together in online co-op. Setting up a session is straightforward. In co-op, you share the same open world, can help each other out of tricky spots using winches, and tackle trails together. The experience is nearly identical to single-player, with the bonus of company.
Is there vehicle customisation?
Yes. By completing objectives and discovering hidden spots across the map, you unlock new vehicles, upgrades, and cosmetic items. You can add paint jobs, extra lights, roof racks, bull bars, and other modifications. Functional tools like winches and camping kits also attach to your vehicle and expand your exploration capabilities.
How does Over the Hill compare to MudRunner or SnowRunner?
The off-road theme is similar, but the tone is very different. Forbes described Over the Hill as “a laid-back interpretation of Expeditions: A MudRunner Game that prioritises shared enjoyment over overcoming obstacles.” Over the Hill is more minimalist, more relaxing, and less focused on heavy simulation mechanics. Think cosy exploration rather than hardcore mud physics.
Will there be mod support?
Funselektor confirmed livery mod support when the game was delayed to 2026. Further details on the scope of modding tools have not been announced yet, but community-created vehicle liveries will be supported at launch.
