November Indie Picks & Exciting Announcements!

The holiday season is here, and we at ID@Xbox are buzzing with excitement to present this month’s selection for Indie Selects. But before diving into our picks, let’s take a moment to express how grateful we are for your unwavering support of independent games on Xbox throughout the year. Indie Selects is all about spotlighting the unusual and unique. Sometimes, the perfect game isn’t a blockbuster hit but rather a well-crafted tale with emotional depth or a novel twist on a familiar concept. Thank you for exploring our recommendations and cheering on the amazing creators in our community.

Now, instead of our usual one-week roundup in December, we’ve amped it up to three weeks of 2024 Indie Select Highlights. Beginning December 11th, we’ll feature 18 of our favorite titles weekly from the past year, emphasizing just how much talent has been on display. You can catch these updates every Wednesday in the Indie Selects section on the Xbox Store, located in the Games Home tab.

As we move into January 28, 2025, we’ll mark the first anniversary of this program with a special 2024 Anniversary Collection. Our team will curate six must-have Indie Selects from the past year, honoring them in a unique collection for all to discover. We have exciting plans for 2025, with new sales and collections on the horizon, but for now, let’s dive into this month’s offerings.

This month has been a blast with so many amazing titles pushing the limits in creative design, intriguing game mechanics, and immersive storytelling. We all passionately advocated for our personal favorites. Some of us were still riding the spooky wave from October, craving something eerie, while others longed for a heartwarming journey with a giant wolf by our side on the next grand adventure. And then there were those among us keen to lose themselves in mysterious worlds or profound choices, or perhaps just unfold their creativity. Fortunately, our picks covered all bases, offering something memorable for everyone. Here’s a look at this month’s line-up (presented in no particular order):

Neva might punch you right in the heartstrings if you’re in the mood for an emotional rollercoaster. I took it for a spin over the weekend, and it left me in awe—not just with its striking visual beauty but also its hauntingly beautiful music. It even brought me to tears at times. This game feels almost like a soulful piece of art that you can play.

Following Gris, Nomada Studio returns with Neva, showcasing their polished storytelling. Gris was already stunning, but Neva refines that classic formula with enjoyable platforming and a touch of combat. The game lasts about 5 hours, yet those hours are profoundly touching. If you’re stumped or find the battles challenging, you have the option to switch to “Story Mode,” which eliminates the health bar allowing you to simply enjoy without worry.

Animal Well offers a gorgeous, elusive 2D pixel art adventure that invites you to explore abstract puzzles in a vibrant, living world. You step into the role of a soft little blob navigating dark, wet environments, uncovering their secrets, and befriending creatures along the way. There’s no combat, only creative evasion tactics and discovery of numerous secrets long after reaching what you might think is the end.

This game truly resonated with me, evoking the strangest sense of wonder. The environment acts as a character in itself, offering interactions that are deeply satisfying. As I dug deeper, I began to question what the developers intended, shifting my priorities and feeling rewarded for my exploration. Do you enjoy uncovering secrets without assistance? This game is a dream come true for you.

Planet Coaster 2 is a paradise for theme park and strategy game enthusiasts. It hits the sweet spot for creativity and strategy, offering vibrant visuals and an easy-to-navigate interface that’s rich with things to do. You can go wild designing your dream park with customizable rides and roller coasters, making every fantasy a reality. The real challenge lies in the attendant management tasks: keeping your staff, finances, and guests happy and the park thriving.

A significant part of the fun is sharing your creations with other players and experiencing their ideas. The level of creativity displayed is awe-inspiring, and you can incorporate elements of their vision into your park. Whether you’re a seasoned park manager or a newcomer, Planet Coaster 2 exemplifies community and creativity balanced with solid strategy.

Phasmophobia immerses you in a riveting horror experience where your mission is to identify the ghost type haunting your investigation sites using various gear. Each ghost has unique, supernatural traits you must document in your journal. Hit the nail on the head, and you win.

The real magic lies in the way you experience unraveling these mysteries. It’s a masterclass in horror with classic elements like sound and light that keep you perpetually on edge. With no means to fight back, the race is on to gather clues quickly while avoiding danger.

Finally, it’s a hoot to play with friends. The shared terror, punctuated by the chilling silence when a friend inevitably gets caught, is both the most hilarious and terrifying aspect. Nothing beats that in-game voice chat panic shared among friends!

Fear the Spotlight dives into a spine-chilling, puzzle-filled narrative with a nostalgic nod to ’90s horror games. Set in a school, you follow Vivian as she searches for her missing friend Amy following a séance gone awry. As Vivian, you avoid the gaze of a spotlight-headed monster while solving puzzles and uncovering the school’s dark secrets.

It’s not about jump scares; instead, you’re drawn into savvy puzzle-solving, maintaining a heightened sense of tension. The nostalgic ‘90s aesthetic only adds to the unsettling atmosphere, making it an ideal pick for horror game newbies and veterans alike.

Slay the Princess combines a striking visual novel experience with a choose-your-own-adventure twist, challenging you to understand why you’re tasked with terminating the princess. Diving into various prompts from a “narrator” adds layers to the narrative, influencing both the storyline and the presence of different voices.

The game’s art, music, and voice acting work in harmony, pulling you into its eclectic world. Uncovering the story involves attempting various paths, but fear not—dying repeatedly is part of the process. Embrace it and push on, as the game’s depth will keep you coming back for more.

So there you have it—a line-up full of innovation and creativity ready to dazzle and delight. Dive in, explore these masterpieces, and prepare for an unforgettable journey!