A lot of people think of small, short and less interesting games when the hear the words "indie game," thankfully, it's certainly not the case!
The ID@Xbox program has helped many developers to get their games on the Xbox Store, making Xbox an excellent platform for smaller developers. While this list may mention a few titles you already are familiar with, expect to find something new to spend your weekend on too!
I Am Bread
I Am Bread is a crispy parody game, with a slice of a dark backstory. The game saw its Xbox One launch on January 20th 2017, bringing the amazing adventure to Microsoft's gaming ecosystem, for breader or worse.
I Am Bread brings allows you to control a living slice of bread, seeking to become a perfected version of itself; the toast. You spin chaotically around the room in order to reach various heat-giving objects. While it all may sound fun and happy, the game has a lot of meaning behind it. By exploring different levels the game offers, you will slowly but steady start to understand what the whole game is about.
While the Xbox debut of the game may have been late, it's better than never and the game is definitely worth a try so before you baguette, give it a try!
Goat Simulator
Goat Simulator may have been released quite a while ago, but that doesn't prevent it from being one of the best indie games for Xbox right now.
While it's a "love or hate" game, it was well received after it's initial release on PC and has become a fan favorite parody sim. It started out as a simple joke by the Coffee Stain Studios development team and morphed into a large franchise. Some people may complain about the extremely quirky nature of the game, but this is one of the rare cases where "a bug is actually a feature."
The game is also pretty inexpensive, at only $9.99, which makes it worth a shot even more.
Everspace
Everspace is a single player space shooter with excellent artwork and great gameplay.
The game features a pretty in-depth and detailed piloting system, with the possibility to upgrade your ship and character for easier collection of resources to further progress in the game. It features stunning graphics, especially for an indie game, and well-polished mechanics.
The game is available in a preview for $29.99 which may seem like a lot, but in this case, it's a reasonable price for what you get.
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
The Binding of Isaac is a dark yet humoristic game which still holds up well, even after almost three years since the release.
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a remastered version of the original game which was only released for PC, and features very detailed pixel art textures together with procedurally generated shooter challenges and very enjoyable background music. The whole setting is very immersive and well done, and does a good job in both creeping you out and making you laugh at the same time.
For $14.99 the game definitely is on the less expensive side. It's worth considering the Afterbirth DLC to accompany your purchase, too.
Astroneer
Astroneer has received quite a lot of coverage from the media recently, and that is for a good reason.
The game has a unique style to it, which superficially resembles No Mans Sky in a few ways. It has big beautiful worlds which allow you to explore, harvesting materials and researching flora and fauna to progress.
Astroneer is currently in a preview, with a free trial, so you are not required to buy it if you just want to try it out. Being an Xbox Play Anywhere title is also a huge plus, which means that if you purchase it, you will also own the Windows 10 version automatically.
Superhot
Superhot has gained some mainstream attention lately, with a steady growth in the game's user base.
The game is a shooter with a unique twist. You use slow motion bullet time to avoid attacks, but also to initiate your own shots. The game requires a lot of logical and strategical thinking to achieve victory, and while it may seem easy at first, you will definitely lose some hairs as you progress through its increasingly difficult shooter puzzles.
Sitting at $24.99, it's a great game if you're looking for something fresh and original.
Firewatch
Firewatch is a beautiful and atmospheric game, with a charming yet simple art style.
This is one indie title that will give even big budget titles a run for their money, due to how well thought out and polished it is. Firewatch is a first-person adventure game, with an intriguing plot that drives you forward.
The game is available on the Xbox Store for $19.99 which is pretty low compared to some other titles on this list.
INSIDE
INSIDE has a very dark theme, especially for a puzzle platformer game.
Considering its mature themes, INSIDE certainly isn't for younger audiences. The game is made by the same developer who brought us Limbo, a game that took the world by storm back in 2010. INSIDE certainly lives up to its predecessor with its haunting atmosphere, twisted puzzles, and maddening plot.
If you dare to download it, the game is available for $19.99 from the Xbox Store.
The Long Dark
The Long Dark is a thoughtful post-disaster first-person survival simulation. The atmosphere is as punishing as it is beautiful, set in the Canadian wilderness.
Despite being in preview, The Long Dark has developed a passionate fanbase and definitely belongs on a list with the best of the best. The lonely atmosphere, desperation-inducing survival gameplay, and pace of updates all speak to the game's increasing quality. Players are challenged to carefully think about every choice they make.
The game is currently available from the Xbox Store for $19.99.
Heart & Slash
Heart & Slash does exactly what it says on the tin. It's an exceptional hack-and-slash game with a soundtrack worth mentioning.
It features a vibrant color scheme, and fast-paced gameplay which gives the game a happy and friendly vibe. It's a game that's easy to just pick up and get right into it. It's a hack and slash accessible for all, with an engaging story that's as well thought out as it is heart warming.
You play as Heart, an innocent robot who fights to escape the grip of the evil mindless machines who want to exterminate humans and take over the world — you'll fight through that robot army and save humanity.
The game is available for download from the Xbox Store for $19.99.
Axiom Verge
Axiom Verge is a retro-style game with Metroid-style gameplay and visuals.
The Xbox One release may have been late, but it was definitely worth the wait as the game features classic gameplay that's often hard to find in modern games. Infectious combat, music, and depth will have fans of Super Metroid awash with nostalgia.
The game is available for download from the Xbox Store for $19.99.
Pit People
Pit People is a game from the creators of Alien Hominid, Castle Crashers, and Battleblock Theater.
Pit People brings that classic Behemoth style to an all-new genre. Its gameplay is as unique as its art style, featuring fast-paced, turn-based strategic combat. Pit People also sports a parodic twist, reminiscent of Cartoon Network staples like the Adventure Time.
With beautiful animations and the well done co-op mode for up to four players, it may be one of the best indie titles to play with your friends, but if you prefer to play solo, the game features a great singleplayer mode as well. The game is available as a preview from the Xbox Store for $14.99, which is a fairly low price.
Don't Starve: Giant Edition
Don't Starve: Giant Edition combines the content of both the original Don't Starve game and the Reign of Giants expansion pack.
This adds new characters, seasons, creatures, biomes, and other challenges to the game's existing survival atmosphere. The game is all about not starving, obviously, as you attempt to survive alone in a dark wilderness by collecting resources and defending yourself from the dangers of the night.
Don't Starve comes at a relatively low price of $14.99.
The Flame in the Flood
The Flame in the Flood is a famous $250,000 Kickstarter project from ex-developers of Bioshock and Halo.
The project was positively received and reached its funding goal, and since its release it's been praised by both critics and gamers. The game's survival adventure setting definitely showcases one of the best aspects of indie games, and that is unbridled creativity.
The Flame in the Flood is available for $19.99 separately, or for $29.99 as part of an indie bundle.
Oddworld: New n' Tasty
With graphics and gameplay of such high quality and polish, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Oddworld: New n' Tasty emerged from the realm of AAA budgets.
Oddworld: New n' Tasty is a remaster of the PlayStation 1 classic, Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee. New n' Tasty is an atmospheric action puzzle game with a twisted story and a timeless message. Begin built from scratch, it features a modern and responsive game engine which allows for all of these gorgeous effects, particles and more. The remastered version also features revamped controls, with an option for "Old School" mode if you happen to be an old fan used to the legacy controls.
Oddworld: New n' Tasty costs $19.99 but for only a dollar more, you can get the deluxe edition which contains two additional DLCs.
Layers of Fear
As you might expect, Layers of Fear is a horror game. While it's light in the gore department, keeping it away from your children may still be a good idea.
The game showcases just how good indie games can be, with stunning graphics, a great deep story, well-polished gameplay, and tremendous art. It's a first-person adventure horror game, so jumpscares are definitely to be expected. If you're into getting scared or creeped out you have come to the right place.
Layers of Fear comes in at $19.99 from the Xbox Store, which is more than worth it.
Over to you!
With the ever-growing interest in the ID@Xbox program, it's just a matter of time before we see more and more titles flood the store with even more amazing content. 2017 is going to be a great year for indie developers, and there are already many awesome indie games we are expecting this year.
Do you agree with this list? What would you add or remove? Let us know in the comments!