Indie video games come straight from the developer’s coronary heart — that’s why we love them. They’re authentic and aren’t afraid to take dangers. Whether labored on by a workforce of pros or put collectively by a solo developer, indie video games open gamers’ eyes to a wholly new world of gaming. While the Xbox Series X information cycle has been targeted on its stellar lineup of well-known titles (and exclusives within the works), there are many unbelievable indie video games out there on the powerhouse console as effectively.
Here are 10 indie video games for the Xbox Series X which have us excited — some are out proper now, and others are set to be launched later this 12 months.
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Phogs!
Phogs! from Bit Loom Games is downright cute. Take a break from high-stakes and hyper-realism, seize a buddy, and em-BARK on a fun-filled journey. You and a associate will management Red and Blue, a two-headed canine with an elastic stomach, as you remedy puzzles and work collectively to beat totally different phases. Phogs! will take you thru the three core facets of canine life: Food, sleep, and play. The sport will be performed in single-player, however all the joy comes from co-op gameplay.
The Falconeer
Dogfighting video games is usually a area of interest market, as most pilots make good avid gamers, however not all avid gamers make good pilots. However, when you’re a fan of the style, The Falconeer is the title for you. The Falconeer could have you mounting highly effective Warbirds and hovering over open land and sea in the hunt for treasure, fight, and secrets and techniques. Explore the huge open-world of Ursee as you uncover extra concerning the ongoing battle you’ve discovered your self on the core of. You’ll degree up as you’d in any respected motion RPG as you improve your Warbird to suit your playstyle. The sport’s visible aesthetic is just like Legend of Zelda video games of outdated. Flight mechanics are fluid and wise with a third-person digital camera and helpful free-look mechanics.
Unto the End
Unto the End is a difficult side-scrolling motion RPG that includes distinctive synthetic intelligence (A.I.) enemies that may be taught and adapt to your playstyle. You’ll must learn and react as you play via the sport. Hacking and slashing received’t win this one. You’ll have zero HUD and must depend on visuals to grasp if you’re in hassle. Describing the A.I. enemies, developer 2 Ton Studios wrote, “Every creature you meet is as smart and capable as the player’s character — there for a reason, never just some ‘evil enemy.’” Players in search of a Dark Souls-like problem will fall in love with Unto the End.
Haven
Haven is the story of two lovers, Yu and Kay, as they journey to a distant planet to dwell out the remainder of their days collectively. You’ll management each characters as they work together with one another, construct their relationship, and set up their new dwelling. Explore the huge world round them to search out crafting supplies and additions to your ship. Engage in rhythmic fight as you defend your property and relationship from forces that search to tear it aside. You’ll collect assets, just like No Mans Sky, and discover an unlimited planet with the visible aesthetic of old-school turn-based JRPGs.
Coming quickly
Dead Static Drive
Developer Mike Blackney refers to Dead Static Drive as “Grand Theft Cthulhu.” You will journey round a large open-world as you hot-wire automobiles and gather assets to outlive the Lovecraftian horrors that lurk round each nook. Dead Static Drive options an in-depth useful resource assortment mechanic that enables gamers to construct inventories inside inventories. Of course, this sport is targeted on automobiles and journey. With driving mechanics being the very soul of the sport, it is possible for you to to cruise round this post-apocalyptic world as you meet NPCs to help you in your street journey from hell. Dead Static Drive is a 2021 launch with no particular month talked about but.
Last Stop
Narrative video games have taken on a lifetime of their very own in recent times. Games like Until Dawn and Life is Strange allowed gamers to be the director of their very own interactive films. Last Stop will do exactly that as you management three totally different characters — John, Meena, and Donna — in present-day London. Their worlds and lives will weave out and in as they search to find why destiny has introduced them collectively. They’ll fight supernatural components intertwined with homicide, thriller, and deception. Last Stop is ready to launch in 2021.
Song of Iron
If you’ve been taking part in Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla and want extra Vikings in your life, Song of Iron can be a strong indie followup title for you. Combat each man and beast as you journey to Valhalla on this darkish and moody side-scroller (think about taking part in via the Dark Souls sequence). You’ll be outfitted with a bow, sword, and protect, together with nimble evasion mechanics and devastating drop-kicks. Explore a beautifully-crafted world in the hunt for misplaced treasures. Song of Iron is ready to launch within the spring of 2021 for Xbox and PC.
Lake
Everyone wants a break occasionally. Escaping from on a regular basis stress via a peaceable online game is an effective way to calm one’s nerves and discover appreciation within the little issues. Lake guarantees to do exactly that. You will management Meredith Weiss simply after leaving her big-city life to ship mail in her quaint hometown. It’s 1986; know-how is archaic by right now’s requirements, and folks nonetheless speak to 1 one other in Providence Oaks, Oregon. Hop in her mail truck and take within the stunning sights and sounds of this lakeside city.
Lake has you management Meredith for the three weeks she plans on spending again dwelling. She’ll be reminded of the straightforward issues in life as she interacts with individuals round city. She’ll have interaction in quirky dialog at each flip and be taught slightly bit extra concerning the neighborhood she remembers. Lake is the proper de-stress sport when hours of Warzone has you pulling your hair out. Lake can be out there in early 2021.
12 Minutes
12 Minutes is an indie sport with a star-studded forged. Voiced by Willem Dafoe, James McAvoy, and Daisey Ridley, 12 Minutes forces you to relive the identical traumatic expertise as a romantic night together with your spouse turns lethal. Stuck in a time loop, you’ll have to use the information you’ve accrued to change the course of occasions and escape this hellish predicament. 12 Minutes comes with a unbelievable Easter egg proper off the bat as attentive gamers will discover The Shining‘s famous carpet pattern outside the apartment door. The game is full of secrets for players to find. They’ll have to make use of their very own acute detective expertise to interrupt the loop and save their lives. 12 Minutes is ready for an early 2021 launch on Xbox and PC.
The Artful Escape
The Artful Escape is a visually gorgeous side-scroller that includes every little thing we love about artwork and music. You’ll management Francis Vendetti, a teenage guitar prodigy, as he embarks on a psychedelic journey to find himself. Travel via multidimensional plains as you utilize the facility of rock and roll to beat obstacles, seem earlier than crowded stadiums, and take questions on alien speak reveals. The Artful Escape is backed by a masterful soundtrack filled with ripping guitar solos. Francis will use the facility of his guitar to intensify his senses and reveal the unseen. With groovy visuals and stimulating environments, this musical masterpiece is certain to maintain rock & rollers entertained for hours. The Artful Escape is ready to soften faces in 2021 and can launch on Xbox and PC.
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