November Indie Picks (Plus Exciting Announcements!)

With the festive season just around the corner, the ID@Xbox team is filled with excitement to present this month’s Indie Selects. Before diving into our selections, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your ongoing support of indie games on Xbox throughout the past year. Indie Selects is our unique way of spotlighting the quirky and the unparalleled. Not everyone’s ideal game has to be a blockbuster; sometimes, it’s a finely crafted and heartfelt story, a fresh twist on an old concept, or something completely out of the ordinary. Thank you for exploring these recommendations and championing incredible game developers on our platform.

Switching gears, we’ve decided to extend our December Selects to cover three weeks of the 2024 Indie Select Highlights instead of just one week. Starting December 11, each week will feature and promote 18 of our top picks that hit the shelves this year. Make sure to visit the Indie Selects section on the Xbox Store every Wednesday by navigating to the Games Home tab and scrolling down a bit to find these must-have indie gems.

As we wrap up this installment, mark your calendars for January 28, 2025, when we’ll mark the first anniversary of this venture with a special 2024 Anniversary Collection. Our team will choose six standout Indie Selects from the past year that we believe everyone should experience, displaying them proudly for all to enjoy. We have more surprises, sales, and collections in store for the upcoming year, but for now, let’s stay in the moment.

This month is jam-packed. With so many standout titles pushing the boundaries of unique design, intriguing mechanics, and compelling storytelling, our choices were fiercely debated. Some of us were still not ready to leave behind the scares of October and craved something to get our hearts racing. Others longed to bond with a majestic wolf ride to embrace the next adventure. More than a few wanted to get drawn into a mysterious world full of choices, or perhaps just let their creativity run wild. We compiled a list that pleased everyone, and we’re confident there’s something memorable for you. Let’s delve into this month’s lineup (presented in no particular order):

Kicking things off is Neva, a game that pulls on the heartstrings like few others. Last weekend, I found myself entranced by its stunning visuals, lush presentation, and a soundtrack that lingers. It’s an evocative journey filled with moments of joy and tears, seamlessly blending fun with emotional depth.

Following the artistic wonder Gris, Neva shines as Nomada Studio continues to refine their storytelling and gameplay. This engaging follow-up enriches the original magic by integrating accessible platforming and combat. While the game spans only around five hours, these hours will provoke self-reflection and touch your soul in ways few games do. If the action sequences become too demanding, a “Story Mode” is available to let you fully immerse in the narrative without worry of failure.

Next on our list is Animal Well, an intriguing 2D pixel art Metroidvania loaded with abstract puzzles that breathe life into its mysterious surroundings. You guide a squeezable blob through a moist, shadowy realm, interpreting the world in novel ways to navigate onward. Progressing through the games involves gaining new insights and using bizarre tools to unlock new paths.

The creatures you encounter impart additional intrigue, where some are pivotal to solving complex conundrums. Since there’s no real combat, circumventing certain animals becomes a clever challenge in itself. Even after you think you’ve reached the end, there’s an abundance of hidden content to uncover.

The depth of this game imprints its magic upon you. During my playthrough, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my character wasn’t the star—no, the environment stole the show. Every moment interacting with this lush setting was remarkable, rewarding my exploration with a sense of awe. If you love the joy of discovering every corner of a game without online hints, this one’s for you.

Wanting to build something amazing? Planet Coaster 2 is a delight for fans of theme park and strategy simulations. As a fan of both strategy and creativity, this game ticks all my boxes. From the moment you enter, you’re greeted with a lively world, boasting marvelous graphics and intuitive game characters that guide you through park management and user interface.

Endless possibilities arise as you create and craft your dream park, allowing for wild and outlandish ride designs using an intuitive coaster builder. Managing your park encompasses balancing staff, finances, and guest satisfaction—a rewarding experience that grounds your creative endeavors in reality.

The vibrant community aspect invites players to share their creations with each other, showcasing the creativity of others and building upon their visions. Whether you’re a seasoned park manager or new to the genre, Planet Coaster 2 offers a perfect blend of community and creativity.

Phasmophobia brings a terrifyingly engaging horror experience as you piece together the identity of the restless ghost haunting the areas you investigate. Discover each ghost’s unique traits through various tools and document your findings. Identifying the correct ghost leads to victory.

What makes this game stand out is the immersive experience of unearthing paranormal clues. Using traditional horror elements like sound and lighting, it creates an authentic haunted setting that responds to your presence—leaving you constantly on edge. With no ability to combat the supernatural, your goal is to swiftly gather evidence while evading danger.

It becomes especially entertaining when played with friends. There’s nothing quite like hearing your comrades shriek over voice chat during perilous situations—adding both humor and chills to your gaming experience.

Fear the Spotlight takes you back to a nostalgic era with a retro ’90s-inspired horror atmosphere focused on storytelling and puzzle-solving. Follow Vivian’s journey as she ventures into the school for a séance, only for things to go awry, leading her to uncover her friend Amy’s whereabouts and the school’s enigmatic past.

The game offers a tense atmosphere where a spotlight-headed monster stalks your every move. With no combat, you must remain undetected as you explore to find vital items that progress the story. It’s a game designed to build suspense rather than relying on heart-stopping jump scares, making it perfect for those who enjoy a horror narrative.

Rounding off our list is Slay the Princess, a visual novel that subverts expectations with its choose-your-own-adventure flair. Tasked with slaying a princess, you delve into a multitude of choices presented by a “narrator,” wondering why you must complete this daunting task.

Each decision affects your path, adding new voices to the narrator and shifting how each scenario unfolds, impacting the princess’s form based on your choices until another story takes over. The transition between tales adds layers of intrigue, all wrapped in captivating black-and-white pencil art and an exceptional musical score.

Curious to see how things play out? Brace yourself for an expended journey filled ideas, much like exploring the mysterious woods leading to the cabin where your fate awaits.

Keep an eye out every week as we continue to celebrate the unique stories these indies bring to life, showcasing ingenuity and heart in every title. Explore, and find your next favorite game with us!