There are hundreds of games onXbox Game Passright now, and a significant portion of the games available through the service are indie titles.Xbox Game Passhas become a fantastic way for indie developers to get their titles out there; with so many games coming out all the time, it can be difficult for smaller studios to stand out and capture gamers' attention. Game Pass has some of the most popular indie games as well as some hits just waiting to be discovered.
Sometimes the Game Pass catalog is a little bit overwhelming, though, and it’s hard to decide which games to prioritize. Especially on the indie side, there are so many titles to choose from. Someindie games likeUndertale, Hollow Knight,Stardew Valley,andHadeshave garnered a lot of well-deserved attention and critical acclaim, but there are dozens of other hidden gems worth trying out on Game Pass. While it’s challenging to choose just a few, there is a handful of indie games that stand out as must-plays in the first month of the year.
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The Artful Escape
One of the biggest breakout indie hits of 2021 wasThe Artful Escape, a psychedelic audiovisual experiencethat takes the player on a trippy rock and roll adventure through space. Developed under the creative direction of Johnny Galvatron, the lead singer of The Galvatrons,The Artful Escapeis a love letter to rock and roll music that has to be experienced.The Artful Escapereceived critical acclaim and was even nominated in the Game Awards for Best Art Direction, Best Music and Score, and Best Debut Indie. While it didn’t win, it rightfully earned the nominations.
A Plague Tale: Innocence
The game tells the story of Amicia and her little brother Hugo as they try to escape the clutches of the Inquisition and avoid the Black Death.A Plague Taleis dark and intense, with a compelling narrative and a lot of stealth-based gameplay. Players who enjoy single-player narratives should consider completingInnocencesoon in order tobe prepared forA Plague Tale: Requiemon day one.
Cris Tales
Cris Taleslaunched day one on Game Pass back in July and instantly stood out for the stunning art style, which feels like a cross between anime and 2D Disney animation. Everything aboutCris Talesis beautiful to look at, but it actually holds a special place in the Game Pass catalog.Cris Talesis a love letter to iconic JRPGslikeChrono Trigger, Valkyrie Profile, Bravely Default,andPersona 5,which can be hard to find on the Xbox platform.
Historically, PlayStation has had a lot more success with JRPGs. The PlayStation sells much better in Japan and because PlayStation customers are more likely to be familiar with JRPGs, developers make Sony’s platform a priority. However, Xbox is working to change that andCris Talesis a big step in the right direction.Game Pass now has JRPGs likeScarlet Nexus, NieR: Automata,andAstria Ascending, so while more JRPGs are on the way,Cris Talesis a wonderful and accessible introduction to the genre. Players already familiar with the genre will enjoyCris Talesfor the way it pays homage to classic JRPGs.
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What Remains of Edith Finch
What Remains of Edith Finchhas been featured on dozens of lists talking about the best indie games, and for good reason. Its environmental storytelling and immersive gameplay have made it one of the shining stars of indie games. A lot of gamers have probably alreadyplayedWhat Remains of Edith Finch,but for those who haven’t had the chance, here’s your regular reminder. It can be finished in about two hours, but is guaranteed to linger in the player’s mind much longer.
What makesEdith Finchso specialis the way it handles the sensitive topic of death in a way that isn’t violent or gruesome, at least not explicitly. By guiding the player through various vignettes depicting the many freak accidents that killed her family members, Edith reveals a moving and deeply saddening story that somehow doesn’t feel like overkill.What Remains of Edith Finchwill probably be on Game Pass for a while yet, but anyone who hasn’t played yet should give it a try and see what the big deal is.
Sable
Sablelaunched at the end of September, so as a more current release it might be stuck in players' backlog. However, it’s worth bringing to the top of the list for several reasons. Many players have comparedSabletoBreath of the Wildbecause of the incredible emphasis on exploration; it’s a completely open world filled with things to discover. The narrative isn’t set in stone and it’s up to the player to decide where to go and what to explore.
In addition to the ones mentioned above, there are plenty of wonderful indiegames available through Xbox Game Pass. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re into rogue-likes, Metroidvanias, city-builders, or artistic narratives. Indies are often the most creative games in the industry, and players should take the time to explore what’s out there this January. A lot of the best indie games are hidden gems, and there’s a full treasure trove to discover on Game Pass.
Xbox Game Passis available now on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
