Best indie games on Xbox The best Xbox indie games are inventive, unique, and push genres to their limits, if they're not creating new ones altogether. Here's our favorite indies on Xbox Series X|S.Heidi Nicholas Published 11 Dec 2023 FollowtopicsXbox Series X|SID@XboxHeidi Nicholas If you're looking for a break from the world of flashy AAA games, our list of the best Xbox indie games has you covered. Not having the AAA support might be a drawback when it comes to practical things like budgets, but the trade off is that indie games often have more freedom to be creative and innovative, with everything from story-telling and world design to genre-defying gameplay. We've put together a list of what we think are some of the best indie games on Xbox right now. More than we could fit into this list, to be honest, so if you think we've missed something truly special then let us know in the comments below. We'll be updating and adding to this list on a regular basis. We've marked down which ones are on Game Pass too, so subscribers know which ones they can dive into right away. Right, let's get on with it.11. CocoonRelease date: September 29, 2023Developer: Geometric Interactive Game Pass: YesA lot of the time, “best of” lists are made up of older titles that have had a good long time to grow more and more popular. In contrast, Cocoon is a very recent addition, having come out in September 2023. That hasn’t stopped it from making waves, however; it scored near-perfect reviews ahead of its Game Pass launch. Cocoon is a puzzle adventure game where you use colored orbs to solve puzzles. The twist is that each of the orbs is also its own world that you can enter, leading to some mind-bending, inception-style puzzles where you're three layers deep trying to remember where you left the orange universe. It’s a truly inventive puzzle game with a beautiful artistic style. Everyone should check this one out. 10. The Binding of Isaac: RebirthRelease date: December 9, 2015Developer: NicalisGame Pass: NoAnd now for something completely different. The Binding of Isaac is considered by many to be the indie game, helping kickstart the popularity of indie games when it launched back in 2011. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a remake of the original game for modern consoles and it's every bit as addicting as the original was. It’s an action-RPG shooter with roguelike elements and some graphic imagery pushed through the filter of a distinctive art style that skates the line between adorable and disgusting.It's brutally difficult (it was made by the Edmund McMillen, the guy that made Super Meat Boy, so of course it is), but it's devilishly moreish and you'll find yourself instantly starting up a new run when the horrors of Mom's basement finally get the better of you. 9. The Stanley Parable: Ultra DeluxeRelease date: April 27, 2022Developer: Galactic Cafe, Crows Crows CrowsGame Pass: NoHow to begin about The Stanley Parable? It's so unlike anything else we've ever played. You play as Stanley, an office worker who finds his life is being narrated by a mysterious voice that tells him what he's going to do. You quickly discover that you can disobey these instructions, opening up a whole can of worms filled with puzzles, funny references, and meta jokes about video game design. It was PC exclusive for ages, but we finally got the Ultra Deluxe version on Xbox last year, which brings new content and even new endings to the game, making this indie gem an even more complete experience. 8. CupheadRelease date: September 29, 2017Developer: Studio MDHRGame Pass: NoIf there’s ever a game that’s unafraid to hold back on the challenge, it’s Cuphead. This indie darling draws you in with its striking art style, inspired by 1930s cartoons, but don't be fooled by those rubber hose visuals — Cuphead is about to kick your ass. You play as Cuphead (and Mugman in co-op) trying to pay back a debt to the devil. At its core, it's a run and gun action game where you have to juggle dealing and avoiding damage as you face off against a series of massive boss battles. It’s been out on Xbox for some years now and yet has earned itself enough of a reputation that it still holds its own among all the new indie games we’re getting. Don’t let its cutesy exterior fool you; Cuphead is out for blood. 7. Outer WildsRelease date: May 29, 2019Developer: Mobius DigitalGame Pass: NoAnother indie game that’s beloved by pretty much everybody is open-world mystery game Outer Wilds (not to be confused with the vastly different and not-so-much indie game The Outer Worlds). Outer Wilds is a more subtle experience than most, opening up the more you play and begin to understand a little of what’s going on. You explore the solar system while trapped in a time loop, and the whole atmosphere of Outer Wilds has left a lasting impression with many players, making it a much loved indie game. 6. Spiritfarer: Farewell EditionRelease date: August 18, 2020Developer: Thunder Lotus GamesGame Pass: YesHow can a game be so beautiful and yet so much of a gut punch at the same time? Spiritfarer is only a couple of years old, yet it’s already had a huge impact with players. It has the utterly unique description of being “a cosy management game about dying” and sees you ferrying spirits to the afterlife. That’s the end goal, however; most of the game is about taking care of the spirits while they’re on board your boat, helping them come to terms with whatever’s troubling them, and upgrading your boat itself. There’s an highly enjoyable gameplay loop to back up that heartfelt story. One argument you see in favour of indie games is their willingness to try something different, and in Spiritfarer, it really works. Although if you’re yet to try this one, be warned: it does not mess around when it comes to emotional devastation. 5. CelesteRelease date: January 26, 2018Developer: Sickhead Games, Maddy Makes GamesGame Pass: YesIf ever there was an indie platforming masterpiece, it’s Celeste. It has all the winning ingredients for a perfect platforming game: a clear goal (reach the top of the mountain) and an engaging gameplay loop that's easy to learn and difficult to master. The gorgeous pixel art style helps too. The rapid respawns help offset the sheer frequency with which you'll be dying. Don’t get us wrong, you'll still hit the odd wail of despair from you as you mess up the last step after a perfect combination of movements and plummet to your death again. But the speed at which you can try again keeps you trying again, and really reinforces the game’s message: that you can do it. 4. HadesRelease date: August 13, 2021Developer: Supergiant GamesGame Pass: NoWhat a fantastic game Hades is. Absolutely gorgeous, with an absorbing cast of characters and an overarching story matched with an irresistible gameplay loop which keeps you setting out to escape the underworld even as every death sends you back to it. It's a roguelite where the respawn cycle is woven into the narrative. You play as Zagreus, prince of the underworld and son on Hades. You're having a teenage rebellion and try to escape hell, only to be constantly thwarted by your father's minions. But over time, you unlock new weapons and abilities that make your escape that little bit more likely.Hades is beautifully polished. Everything from the gameplay loops and well-realised characters, through to the music and stunning art style tie the game together into a wonderful experience. Hades landed first on PC and Switch, but finally came to Xbox and Game Pass in 2021, where it instantly established itself as one of the best indie games to be found. 3. Slay the SpireRelease date: August 14, 2019Developer: MegaCritGame Pass: YesWere we just talking about despair and frequent deaths? That’s how you summon Slay the Spire, a truly excellent indie game that melds deck-building with roguelike elements to form something wonderful. Like with Celeste, Slay the Spire has a clear and simple goal — reach the top of the Spire — but actually accomplishing it is anything but. You’ll come across relics to help you, but the battles you’ll face are unforgiving and to add to the chaos, no two playthroughs are the same. The layout changes every time and you can never tell whether you’ll be able to find an easier route or whether you’ll face a torrent of enemies. Slay the Spire is a few years old now, but the near endless variety it offers has kept people playing. 2. Vampire SurvivorsRelease date: October 20, 2022Developer: poncleGame Pass: YesVampire Survivors is a masterpiece, somehow managing to offer incredible depth with the most simplistic of gameplay systems. You're plonked into a map and enemies infinitely run at you, with the waves getting stronger as time goes on. Your attacks are all automated and happen on a timer, so your only control is to position yourself to hit your foes and dodge their attacks. That simplicity belies the true depth on offer here though. You level up as you defeat enemies, giving you access to new weapons and combos that dramatically change how you play. Don't let the graphics fool you either — the late game offers quite a visual spectacle of particle effects and hundreds of enemies on screen at once.Vampire Survivors launched in early access on Steam in 2021 but is now out in full on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass, where it’s picked up countless more players happy to take on the unending hordes. 1. Stardew ValleyRelease date: December 14, 2016Developer: ConcernedApeGame Pass: YesDeveloped by Eric "Concerned Ape" Barone, Stardew Valley has set the benchmark for cozy farming sim games. Your new life begins with you inheriting your grandfather's farm and settling into the quaint Pelican Town community. It's got it all, from farming to fishing, foraging to cooking, and even mining and fighting monsters (if you choose to). The charming pixel-style art and wholesome soundtrack will draw you in, while the character's deep enchanting stories will make you want to keep on playing. Before long you'll be obsessively planning out what crops to plant when, how best to woo your favorite love interest (or interests!), and cursing Pierre the shopkeeper for being closed on Wednesdays. There's even a multiplayer option to start a co-op farm with friends online.Years later, the developer is releasing big updates for it. Stardew Valley is like one of those indie games of legend, now that it’s grown to be as much of a household name as many major AAA titles. Xbox Series X|SXbox OneID@Xbox Written by Heidi NicholasHeidi tends to lean towards indie games, RPGs, and open-world games on Xbox, and when not playing Disney Dreamlight Valley, happily installs every new wholesome game that appears on Xbox Game Pass, before diving back into favorites like The Witcher 3. She's looking forward to Age of Mythology Retold, Everwild, Fable, and Avowed on the Xbox horizon. Heidi graduated with an MA in English Literature before joining the TrueAchievements team.