Zoroarts hits co-op rage game high notes again this Next Fest with Caaahr

I love Steam Next Fest. Every time it comes around, I’m either introduced to some new games to look forward to or I get a chance to play some games I’ve had on my wishlist for a long time. June 2026’s celebration of all things upcoming is no different, but one game stands out above most others: Caaahr. 

Now listen, I’ve played more than my fair share of rage games in my time, and I still have a “love to hate them” mentality. Caaahr is no different, and it’s made by someone who has a particular talent for making me love their creations: Zoroarts. I didn’t know that when I downloaded the demo, but the words “of course this is a Zoroarts game” tumbled from my mouth with a fond smile as soon as the home screen opened up. 

Forgive me, I’ve been somewhat out of the loop lately.

Lose your voice, not your friends (hopefully)

Caaahr is a multiplayer game much like Zoroart’s previous hit Paddle Paddle Paddle, except instead of joining forces to control a rowboat, you’re now in cahoots trying to drive a car with an engine powered entirely by the power of your voice. (Note: This was a little problematic, as I’m losing my voice at the time of writing. Not to worry, I enlisted the help of a very willing 6-year-old who was only too happy to provide some epic screams!)

The other player gets to steer the car, which seems a little unfair, until you realize they also need their voice to make the car jump. That comes in very handy towards the middle of the hellish obstacle course, and is easier said than done. Together, you scream and shout your way along the road, dodging cars that are far bigger than they have any right to be, and hoping for the best that your voice doesn’t give up on you in the middle of an intersection.

This brings back memories

There’s an old and very dark joke that I remember from a joke book I had as a kid: “I want to die happily in my sleep like my grandpa, not screaming in terror like his passengers”. I have to admit, Caaahr brought this joke to the forefront of my mind while playing, but that’s not the only memory this unlocked, and we’re about to go on a bit of a tangent.

Do you remember Alien: Isolation, the 2014 horror game that could hear you, letting the alien track you down if you made noise? I remember. Not for the game itself, but for the fun I had walking into the room when someone was playing, screaming, then running away giggling while they got attacked. 

Mean? Yes, but also hilarious. 

Caaahr is a similar experience, except it’s the exact opposite. The chaos gremlin in my mind had a lot of fun turning off the mic and leaving the car to flounder in a place it had no business stopping. I also discovered that simply talking forced the car to do some jerky stop-start movement, like a particularly nervous learner during their first-ever driving lesson. 

What is that face

Look, maybe I’m easily amused, but there’s something endlessly hilarious about talking and seeing a game character lip-sync to whatever I’m saying. While my daughter screamed at a deafening volume in my ear, the mouth of the clownish face on the back of the car perfectly synced with her yells, and I couldn’t help but giggle my way through. 

Coincidentally, those giggles helped to power the car when she stopped for breath. The microphone is surprisingly sensitive; both a blessing and a curse at different moments. 

And despite the derpiness on display, it somehow manages to stay amusing, which is an impressive feat. I have no idea where Zoroarts plans to take this past the demo, but a small part of me hopes for unlockable hats or other accessories.

Edit: Okay, it’s the next day, and I’ve just gained access to the Steam page for Caaahr (I wrote the majority of this on my phone, sue me), and discovered that there are indeed hidden cosmetics. Hoorah!

10/10 experience, would scream again

If you’re looking for a deep and meaningful, story-driven experience, there are many demos in this Steam Next Fest to tick the box (may I recommend Ambroise Nifflette?), but if you’re looking for something that’s good clean (if a little enraging) fun and will make you laugh, you’ll be hard pressed to find something that fits the bill better than Caaahr. 

It’s not the type of game you’ll play for hours at a time… Unless you’re a masochist, I suppose, and yes I know that’s pretty much the demographic here. But it will have you coming back for more, if for nothing else than the excuse to scream after a bad day. I mean, it’s scientifically proven (by me, if by nobody else) that screaming is therapeutic, right?