There are hundreds of games on Xbox Game Pass right now, and a significant portion of the games available through the service are indie titles. Xbox Game Pass has 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. Some indie games like Undertale, Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley, and Hades have 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.
The Artful Escape
One of the biggest breakout indie hits of 2021 was The Artful Escape, a psychedelic audiovisual experience that 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 Escape is a love letter to rock and roll music that has to be experienced. The Artful Escape received 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.
Players should take the time to try The Artful Escape because of the one-of-a-kind experience it offers as a celebration of music and psychedelic art. Indie games are frequently described as interactive art, and that's true for The Artful Escape, but it's also like an interactive album. Whether you're a Game Pass subscriber who heard about The Artful Escape during the Game Awards or you're just hearing about it now, it's worth trying. The Artful Escape is the perfect way to start off the new year with a bang.
A Plague Tale: Innocence
A Plague Tale: Innocence is one of those indie games that has garnered a lot of mainstream attention, so many Game Pass subscribers are probably aware of it already. However, anyone who hasn't played it yet should consider making it a priority. The direct sequel, A Plague Tale: Requiem, will be releasing day one on Game Pass in 2022, and the graphics and gameplay look amazing so far. Even though it is an indie game, A Plague Tale could easily pass for an AAA title and Requiem is likely to do the same.
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 Tale is dark and intense, with a compelling narrative and a lot of stealth-based gameplay. Players who enjoy single-player narratives should consider completing Innocence soon in order to be prepared for A Plague Tale: Requiem on day one.
Cris Tales
Cris Tales launched 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 about Cris Tales is beautiful to look at, but it actually holds a special place in the Game Pass catalog. Cris Tales is a love letter to iconic JRPGs like Chrono Trigger, Valkyrie Profile, Bravely Default, and Persona 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 and Cris Tales is a big step in the right direction. Game Pass now has JRPGs like Scarlet Nexus, NieR: Automata, and Astria Ascending, s o while more JRPGs are on the way, Cris Tales is a wonderful and accessible introduction to the genre. Players already familiar with the genre will enjoy Cris Tales for the way it pays homage to classic JRPGs.
What Remains of Edith Finch
What Remains of Edith Finch has 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 already played What 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 makes Edith Finch so special is 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 Finch will 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
Sable launched 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 compared Sable to Breath of the Wild because 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.
The story's foundation is Sable, a young girl completing her tribe's rite-of-passage by exploring the land to find a mask. From there, the plot is entirely player-driven and the world can be explored at the player's own pace. There's no combat, so Sable becomes a very peaceful game driven by curiosity and discovery. After the stressful holiday season, Sable is a great game to sit back and enjoy. While some players have encountered bugs while playing, it's a beautiful game that Xbox Game Pass subscribers should check out in the new year.
In addition to the ones mentioned above, there are plenty of wonderful indie games 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 Pass is available now on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.