Yesterday, we were treated to another Xbox Indie Showcase, and regardless of how you feel about the presentation's setup, there's no arguing there were some intriguing games shown. In fact, Xbox has been delivering a stellar library of indie titles in the past few months, plenty of which have dropped day one into Xbox Game Pass. In a year where many titles are receiving delays and whatnot, it's proven to be a beacon for those gaming lulls where we've fallen into a bit of a slump, and in all honesty, has delivered some of my favourite games of the year.
It's hard to find one specific place to start, but beginning with last night, we were introduced to a pretty varied selection of titles coming to Xbox Game Pass. Evil Genius 2: World Domination looks to scratch that itch initiated by Two Point Hospital, Pupperazi is everything I could ever hope and dream for in a game, and finally I can pick up Stardew Valley to see what all the fuss is about. This isn't even counting the dozens of other titles we already know are coming to the service and my backlog of Xbox Game Pass titles which is ever-growing.
Sure, it's great to see AAA games such as Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 join day one, but by the year's end, they most likely won't be the experiences I remember. Instead, it will be the much smaller games that I knew nothing about and that surprised me. A recent example was Last Stop - a narrative-driven adventure in a similar vein to Telltale Games' classic catalogue of adventures. Its TV series-style structure kept me hooked from beginning to end, with an array of twists and turns around every corner. Pre-release footage left me feeling very cold about the game, and if it wasn't for Xbox Game Pass, I never would have stumbled upon this little gem.
The inclusion of EA Play with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate even delivered the EA Original, Knockout City, a fantastic multiplayer game that has soaked up just under 48 total hours of my life, according to my Xbox stats. When the initial trailer dropped, the reaction was fairly negative, so its addition into Xbox Game Pass on day one was something I was feeling fairly lukewarm on. But low and behold, it proved to be a big hit and has gained a small loyal community of players since its launch. Who would have guessed?
Without Xbox Game Pass, I never would have dreamed of checking out some of these games, but months later some are in the running for being in my top ten games of the year. The other benefit of this is how it's encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and try other indie titles, not included within Xbox Game Pass. For example, The Forgotten City intrigued me, so I took the plunge and tried it out. Without my confidence in indie titles I'd stumbled upon already this year, I most likely never would have given it a chance.
Just looking through the selection of games available today, it's absolutely insane the quality some of these titles possess. Cris Tales, Dodgeball Academia, Deep Rock Galactic, Hollow Knight, Ori and the Will of the Wisps - these are just a small handful of amazing titles that could easily provide hundreds of hours worth of content. When people say 2021 has no games, I only have to point them to the first page of Xbox Game Pass to find one or two incredible indie titles that have launched this year. Sometimes taking a risk on a new game pays off, but with Game Pass, you're eliminating any risk and reaping all the benefits.
2021 has been the year of indies, and Xbox has continuously proved just that.
Have you stumbled across any amazing indie titles in Xbox Game Pass? Drop us a comment and let us know.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 16
Agree on Last Stop - it's one of my games of the year and after I finished it I bought it, as well as streaming its soundtrack.
Also agree on the Forgotten City - I'm currently breaking from the Hitman trilogy for a bit (tried the free Starter Pack, enjoyed so bought in the sale) to play it, and I don't think I'd have risked it if the indie games I've played on Game Pass hadn't been so good...
It’s been so good over the last month or so alone. The Ascent, Omno and Dodgeball Academia have all been great, I’m still playing them. There are plenty more I’ve not tried or don’t fancy that I’m sure others will find value in. I hope it continues as I honestly find these games more interesting and often more enjoyable than big triple A titles.
SpiritFarer is one of my all time favorite games. I don’t think I would have played it without Gamepass even if it looked cool at that time I don’t know if I would have bought. I definitely play more indies now. And I look forward to them more in a lot ways over AAA. A good chunk of my recent game purchases are to indie games.
Honestly, if you asked me if I'd rather Xbox focus on more games like Outsiders or Back4Blood instead of indies like Omno, Last Stop or Dodgeball Academia, I'd choose the Indies. I can't stick with repetitive/grind games.
It's absolutely amazing for indie games. So many great games that don't need a huge budget that help push the medium along. I love that the super wacky, comical ones can stand out and be made. Games i would of never bought because games are hit and miss I get to try out and fall in love with.
@mousieone SpiritFarer was sooooo great. And tearful. And cute!
@RavenWolfe81 that’s a whole other discussion but I feel the same way. The triple A scene is pretty dire imo.
Boyfriend Dungeon just dropped on GP ooo I’m going go to be busy ^_____^
@Halucigens right it’s such a personal game. It’s weird how something about that subject matter is so cute and sweet.
@Fenbops Ah, I was just implying that I think the indie selection is better than a lot of the AAA on Gamepass, outside of Xbox and Bethesda's own. My bad, I didn't mean to be off topic too much.
I am playing Omno right now, and am really enjoying it. I probably would not have played this had it not been on gamepass. Might check out Dodgeball Academia after this, which is another title I would probably only try because it is on gamepass. I think they are doing a good job of bringing unique games to people's attention for sure.
@RavenWolfe81 I’m not bothered about staying on or off topics sorry if it came across like that, I was agreeing with you 🤣
So far this year for indies on Game Pass I've played through Ori 2, Gris, the Medium, Donut County, Rain on Your Parade, Deliver Us the Moon, Ghost of a Tale, Prodeus, and I just reached the final boss in Cyber Shadow. I'm also maybe 20% of the way through Bug Fables. With the guys, we've checked out Second Extinction and the Ascent as well. Looking forward to Narita Boy and Backbone next, maybe Y2K, too. Saying that Game Pass is a great place to check out indies is an understatement.
As a gamer who's always been into indies it's great to see Xbox stepping up their indie library on GP, it feels like the 360 days when the XBLIG marketplace was pumping out some real gems. Hopefully they keep it up!
I agree that Game Pass is great right now for indie games but I don't want Game Pass to be only indies for the most part. I don't want Game Pass being known as Indie Pass so to speak. People want quality over quantity (not that I'm saying indie games can't be good).
Here here! I’ve been able to play swaths of wishlisted indies for $1 (my proper sub starts today actually). Subnautica, Star Renegades, Curse of the Dead Gods, and I got 4 more downloaded. I just missed Cross-Code. For fans of indies aka people with good taste, this is the place to be right now. Even the potential must-play day one games that don’t go XGP like say Death’s Door or Axiom Verge 2 are easier to pony up for when you’re spending less on new titles.
Game pass deserves even more props for getting extra game sales on competing systems. I double dipped game pass games. I bought River city girls, katamari, streets of rage 4, dead cells, bloodstained ritual of the night, and hot pursuit remastered for my nintendo switch. I wouldn't have tried these games otherwise. I kinda wish Nintendo would just let game pass on switch. Even a Nintendo version of gamepass would be awesome.
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...