Best Indie Games On Xbox Game Pass

As a gamer who’s spent countless hours navigating through digital realms, I must say that these three games are nothing short of extraordinary. Let me tell you about my favorite among them: Hollow Knight.

Xbox Game Pass now hosts well-known games like DOOM, Call of Duty, and Hellblade, along with a vast selection of independent (indie) games. Notably, many of these indie games are frequently featured prominently on the Game Pass platform.

This is important, as indie games often take risks that big studios don’t. These smaller titles are frequently innovative, daring, and have a lot of heart behind them. Of course, it’s easy to miss some of these titles because of their sheer quantity. Here are the best indie games on Game Pass that are worth your time.

10 Dead Cells

A Castlevania Inspired Rogue-lite

Best Indie Games On Xbox Game Pass

In essence, Dead Cells is a thrilling 2D action-adventure game that masterfully blends the captivating mechanics of roguelike games and Metroidvanias. The core concept revolves around your journey through 2D stages as you annihilate adversaries, gather and enhance equipment, and boost your attack and health abilities. The visuals, character design, and music are all top-notch.

In this game, there’s an abundance of weapons and accessories, allowing for diverse approaches during each playthrough. To elaborate, if you meet your demise at any stage, you’ll find yourself starting over from the beginning.

Regardless, Dead Cells proves to be incredibly entertaining due to its smooth fighting mechanics and rapid speed. It’s extraordinarily captivating and difficult to tear yourself away from it.

9 Rollerdrome

Tony Hawk meets Max Payne

Ever pondered what it’d be like to play a shooter reminiscent of Tony Hawk? Well, wonder no more! Rollerdrome is your answer. In this thrilling game, I find myself strapped with roller skates and twin pistols, ready for an adrenaline-fueled battle in the arena.

Your mission is to eliminate all visible adversaries, all the while skating on rails, performing mid-air flips, and skillfully avoiding gunfire. It’s worth noting that this experience is quite distinct from traditional skating games such as Skater XL and Session.

Executing stunts restores your supply of ammunition, while timing your evasions correctly causes everything nearby to momentarily slow down, much like in Max Payne.

This game might take some getting used to if it’s different from what you’ve played before, but once you grasp its rhythm, it becomes incredibly rewarding. Plus, its visual aesthetic and music are top-notch too.

8 Sifu

A Kung-fu Game with an Interesting Premise

As a gamer, I’ve found that single-player martial arts games are hard to come by these days, making Sifu truly stand out. It delivers high-octane Kung-fu combat, boasts a stunning cel-shaded art design, and offers an intriguing premise: every time I die, I age.

Over time, your battle prowess intensifies, dealing more damage per attack. However, the downside is that your overall health steadily declines with every encounter.

In this game, basic melee attacks serve as the main staple, but you’ll also have various weapons to experiment with. Mastering combos, timing your parries or blocks correctly, and executing them skillfully are crucial elements. The gameplay is smooth, refined, and at times feels like it’s lifted straight from a movie.

This is among the few AA games that boast an alluring AAA quality. Given that this is only their second project, Sloclap has done an outstanding job in crafting such a polished action game.

7 Amnesia: The Bunker

Psychological Horror Perfected

In the vein of what made the original Amnesia a standout in the horror genre, Amnesia: The Bunker masterfully carries on the tradition. This fresh installment delves deep into the psychological terror the series is renowned for, while introducing an element of survival that amplifies the suspense.

The game is situated in a cramped, World War I bunker where resources for survival are scarce yet abundant enough to keep you alive, but never sufficient to instill a sense of security. In this confined space, there’s a generator that must be continually powered to ward off the encroaching darkness and the horrors hidden within it.

In each game, your strategy may change due to the unpredictable placement of resources. What makes it nerve-wracking is the persistent, terrifying monster that pursues you in the darkness.

Life often brings unexpected twists, keeping you perpetually alert and tense. It’s like a well-crafted psychological thriller unfolding before your eyes.

6 Death’s Door

Dungeon Crawling Has Never Been Better

Death’s Door” stands out as an exceptional demonstration of what happens when a developer skillfully combines various genres into a single experience. This game offers exploration reminiscent of Zelda, incorporates combat styles akin to the Souls series, and infuses elements of the Metroidvania genre.

As I delve into this captivating game, I find myself immersed in a world shrouded by a melancholic gloom. Here, I embody a crow who serves as the grim reaper, tasked with a peculiar duty: gathering souls within a dreamlike, surreal landscape.

In this game, the battles are both strategic and swift, requiring you to master the art of timing your evasions, conserving energy, and recognizing enemy behavior. It’s incredibly satisfying, with the boss fights serving as significant tests of your skills.

The unique appeal of this game lies in its seamless integration of engaging combat, intricate world architecture, and a charmingly quirky visual aesthetic. Offering a balanced level of difficulty and numerous enigmas and hidden treasures to discover, Death’s Door is brimming with captivating content.

5 Tunic

Much More Than A Zelda Clone

In terms of inspiration, the game Tunic bears a strong resemblance to The Legend of Zelda. However, if you’re anticipating an enjoyable and straightforward journey, you might find yourself on an unexpected roller coaster ride. Though its art style and dungeons share similarities with Zelda, the gameplay is reminiscent of Soulslike games.

In this game, you take on the role of a nimble fox venturing through a puzzling realm teeming with formidable adversaries, concealed passages, and enigmatic treasures. Yet, there’s no guidance here. You must independently decide your course, and the same rule applies to combat encounters – you’re on your own to strategize and prevail.

Engaging adversaries can be challenging as it necessitates proficiency in evasion, parrying, and synchronizing attack timings. Even seemingly simple foes can be harsh if you’re not vigilant, while the bosses call for exceptional skill and perseverance.

Among everything else, it’s the feeling of exploration that sets Tunic apart. It’s a tough yet incredibly rewarding journey that appreciates determination.

4 Cocoon

A Highly Creative Puzzle Adventure

The game titled “Cocoon” is an engaging experience that could very well turn you into a fan of puzzle games. Regardless of whether you usually enjoy this type of game or not, the captivating mechanic of shouldering entire worlds might hold your attention strongly.

In simpler terms, you control a tiny, bug-like character exploring visually stunning, abstract worlds brimming with intricate challenges. With each step forward, you uncover fresh strategies and features designed to aid in overcoming these mind-bending puzzles.

This game consistently challenges your comprehension of spatial awareness and reasoning, with its narrative conveyed entirely through visuals rather than dialogue. The storytelling aspect is remarkably skillful, and the use of vivid colors combined with a simplified world design enhances the feeling of exploration.

Experiencing the enigma and amazement the game provides is simply fantastic. If you appreciate a game that encourages creativity, Cocoon could be an excellent choice for you to explore.

3 Celeste

A Pixel Art Platformer That Tackles Mental Health

2D platform games are recognized for their meticulous level designs, tough gameplay, and memorable music. However, what truly sets Celeste apart is its focus on exploring themes related to mental health.

In this game, you take on the role of Madeline, a spirited youngster embarking on a journey to conquer Celeste Mountain. Symbolically, this journey represents the challenge of conquering personal obstacles and confronting deep-seated emotional issues.

In this game, the primary villain is portrayed as Madeline’s internal critic or negative self-talk. Moreover, the game mechanics challenge you to retry each stage repeatedly, emphasizing perseverance and resilience throughout your play.

Alongside all the other fun, you’ll find yourself immersed in one of the smoothest and delightful platform games from the past ten years. The level designs show careful thought, the gameplay mechanics are seamless, and the music, reminiscent of 8-bit tunes, is exquisite.

2 Terraria

A Highly Addicting Survival/Sandbox Game

As a dedicated gamer, let me tell you, I’ve found myself utterly captivated by the breathtaking world of Terraria. It’s a survival game that’s packed with secrets waiting to be uncovered. The game presents an expansive universe, meticulously crafted through procedural generation, teeming with buried treasures, diverse biomes, and intriguing adversaries.

In this game, battles are a significant aspect, with the main mechanic revolving around engaging adversaries, enhancing your equipment, and overcoming tough opponents, known as bosses. Every time you meet your demise, you respawn at your home base.

Similar to many survival games, a significant part includes extensive exploration and construction activities. Yet, these tasks aim to guide you towards tougher battles. The game provides a vast array of resources and weaponry, allowing you to approach each challenge in multiple strategic ways.

At first glance, Terraria may seem straightforward due to its artistic design and visuals, but beneath this simplicity lies a complex and captivating universe that will hold your attention for hours on end.

1 Hollow Knight

The Perfect Metroidvania Game

The game “Hollow Knight” is both intriguing and enchanting, with an added layer of difficulty. It unfolds within the eerily breathtaking realm of Hallownest, a vast expanse teeming with hidden mysteries, trials, and awe-inspiring locales.

Much like many contemporary Metroidvania games, it draws heavy influence from Dark Souls, implying that the game does not provide guidance or easy progression. In simpler terms, you’ll need to figure things out on your own as you play.

In your journey ahead, you’ll need to decide independently which path to take next, as Hallownest is teeming with challenging encounters against formidable foes. Navigating through Hallownest can be tricky, but the adventure offers rich rewards. Each new locale presents a unique atmosphere distinct from its predecessor.

The hand-drawn art style is striking and perfectly complements the darker tone. With its intricate level design, challenging combat, and fantastic soundtrack, it’s one of the finest indie games out there.

2024-10-08 16:09