Xbox and PC Game Pass are two of the best video game subscription services available on the market, and perhaps the best deal in gaming, full stop. We love Game Pass because it allows great games from small independent studios to receive the attention and recognition they may not otherwise get. Here’s the 10 best indie games on Game Pass right now (presented in alphabetical order):
The 10 Best Indie Games on Xbox and PC Game Pass
The Artful Escape
The Artful Escape does a terrific job of exploring youthful identity crisis, the desire to forge one’s own path without betraying familial expectations, and what individuality and expression really mean for someone so inextricably linked to an iconic public figure. The game is a visual and sonic delight, though the ability to shred on a guitar simply by holding a button while traversing at your own pace through wacky celestial locales is what makes The Artful Escape truly special in my eyes.
– Sam Martinelli
Boyfriend Dungeon
In Boyfriend Dungeon, you create your own character who moves to a beach town for the summer, fighting through demons in abandoned shopping malls with a hottie that can turn into a sword. For such an absurd concept, it’s actually incredibly sweet and grounded. It is genuinely just FUN to play with great combat and character customization. I loved spending time with the gorgeous and well-written cast, and I appreciated that the game made some serious points about toxic people.
– Amanda Tien
Firewatch
Firewatch has a mesmerizing aesthetic. You play a 1980s fire ranger who stumbles upon something peculiar happening in his park. The game is especially delightful in its design, eschewing a traditional mini-map in favor of an in-game paper map you pull out of your pocket. Traverse a lovingly rendered state park to fix minor issues, talk over the radio to another ranger, and uncover the secrets hidden in the park.
– Amanda Tien
The Forgotten City
I’m incredibly impressed with The Forgotten City, a game that started as a fan-made mod for Skyrim and grew into a time-loop mystery game worthy of its own attention. You play as a person from today’s world who gets trapped in a secret, ancient Roman city. This city abides by the Golden Rule: If any of its ~20 inhabitants commit a sin, all will be turned into golden statues for the rest of time. Someone is going to break that rule today, and it’s up to you to figure out who, what, when, where, and why before it’s too late. The game is a delightful mix of sleuthing with suspect investigation, searching for clues, and action, culminating in one of the most satisfying game endings I’ve ever experienced.
– Amanda Tien
Genesis Noir
Beyond its stylishly limited color palette and unique storytelling methods, Genesis Noir achieves greatness through its focus on connections, both the connections we make with one another and the connections between different eras of terrestrial existence. Through its detective-like gameplay and film noir aesthetics, Genesis Noir crafts a brief yet powerful exploration of what it means for anyone or anything to exist, as well as the inevitability of creation and obliteration.
– Sam Martinelli
Hades
Supergiant Games’s Hades is probably the most critically acclaimed game on this list, reaching 90+ on Metacritic and earning its fair share of 2018 GOTY wins. And it deserves the praise, with sharp writing, stellar voice acting, and a gameplay loop that puts other roguelikes to shame. Much like how the musical Hamilton told a story of America through hip-hop, Hades eschews our traditional perception of Greek gods in favor of something much more modern. The game’s cast is fluid, welcoming a melange of colors, genders, and sexual orientations. Hades was an admirable project based on gameplay prowess alone. But its commitment toward promoting inclusion and challenging modern conventions catapults it to something far greater.
– David Silbert
Outer Wilds
One of the reasons I love games, and why we all love games so much, is when we feel that player-driven sense of discovery. So many people love Outer Wilds, a great example of a game where there’s a story to be uncovered, but it’s ALL open to the player. You have to discover, on your own, the mysteries of this world and create your own path to the end. Players have 22 minutes in each incarnation to utilize their space ship to discover the secrets of this universe in a combat-less, memorable exploration.
– David Silbert
Spiritfarer
The developer’s tagline describes it best: “Spiritfarer is a cozy management game about dying.” You play Stella, a ferry master who helps spirits transition to the afterlife. This game is a beautifully crafted story with delightful characters, excellent music, and playful gameplay. I likened its emotional frequency to Avatar: The Last Airbender. What’s more, Spiritfarer just received a massive free update called The Farewell Edition, so as we hunker down for Season 3 of COVID-19, there’s no better time to build your boat and try this beautiful indie.
– Amanda Tien
What Remains of Edith Finch
Edith Finch returns to her childhood home after the recent death of her mother, the last remaining member of the Finch Family. Entrusted with both the estate and an innocuous key, you play as Edith who commits herself to uncovering the secrets of her family heritage, one exciting vignette at a time.
It goes without saying that fans of adventure games should play What Remains of Edith Finch, as it’s one of the strongest titles in the genre to date. Even if you’re normally on the fence about story-driven games, you should consider it. For a first foray into this type of genre, Edith Finch makes a strong first impression and will continue to impress over its two-hour run-time.
– David Silbert
Yes, Your Grace
Yes, Your Grace is a grim but compelling Ned Stark simulator. Over the course of a year, each week, you play as King Eryk, who hears requests from peasants, plays politics with lords and ladies, and checks in with his family. The game opens foreshadowing a massive battle, and as the player, you know the fight is coming before King Eryk does. This foresight is needed, as you work to protect Eryk’s family, subjects, and kingdom.
This medieval management game requires a deft hand with resources and time, a constant balance of which decisions will most benefit your kingdom. I was impressed how quickly I was emotionally attached to the story and its characters, and I furiously replayed a swath of weeks in order to best take care of “my” villagers and three daughters (even if the game has a troubling story misstep).
– Amanda Tien
