November Indie Picks (Plus Exciting Announcements!)

The holiday season has arrived, and the excitement within the ID@Xbox team is palpable as they unveil this month’s Indie Selects picks. Before diving into the latest features, we must express our genuine gratitude for the unwavering support you’ve shown independent game developers on Xbox over the past year. Indie Selects is our cherished platform dedicated to the delightfully odd and truly one-of-a-kind games. Your ideal game might not be a massive blockbuster; it might be a well-crafted emotional journey, a creative twist on a familiar concept, or something unexpectedly peculiar. We appreciate your interest in our recommendations and your support for the incredible talent behind these games.

This month, instead of the usual one-week December Selects bundle, we’re shaking things up by extending to a full three weeks of 2024 Indie Select Highlights. Starting December 11, every week, we’ll curate and spotlight 18 of our top games released in the last year. Don’t miss the Indie Selects section on the Xbox Store (you’ll find it a few rows down in the Games Home tab) every Wednesday for more essential indie titles.

Mark your calendars for January 28, 2025, when we’ll commemorate this program’s one-year anniversary with the 2024 Anniversary Collection. Our team will select six standout Indie Selects from this past year, gems we regard as must-haves, and display them in a distinguished collection for all to admire. More surprises, sales, and collections await in 2025, but for now, let’s relish the present.

This month brings a bounty of unique titles to the table, each pushing the boundaries of design, innovation, storytelling, and entertainment. We each had our favorites, advocating passionately for games ranging from spine-chilling adventures to heartwarming bonds with fantastical creatures. Some of us sought solace in mysterious worlds with complex dilemmas, while others craved opportunities for boundless creativity. Ultimately, we curated a list that satisfied all of us, and we’re certain you’ll find games here that stay with you long after playing. Here’s what we’ve rounded up for you this month, without any particular order:

Neva is a title that’s bound to tug at your heartstrings. Over the past weekend, I had the chance to dive into its striking visuals and haunting soundtrack. It’s a beautifully crafted emotional rollercoaster that’s also engaging to play. Nomada Studio’s follow-up to the acclaimed Gris showcases their maturity in storytelling and art. Neva builds on Gris’s foundation, adding straightforward yet gratifying platforming and battle mechanics. Clocking in at around five hours, this game will make you introspective and leave a lasting impression. If the combat gets too challenging, there’s a “Story Mode” that lets you continue without the worry of life-bar depletion.

This emotionally impactful action-adventure from the talented team behind GRIS, Neva, follows Alba, who forms a deep connection with an enigmatic wolf after a harrowing encounter with dark forces. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey through a deteriorated realm. Their bond evolves as they navigate increasing dangers, revealing the trials and triumphs of companionship. As the world around them becomes more chaotic, Alba and her loyal companion stop at nothing to survive and find a new haven together.

Animal Well offers an eerie yet mesmerizing 2D pixel art Metroidvania experience, teeming with obscure puzzles set within vibrant, organic worlds. You play as this cute little blob navigating shadowy, aquatic landscapes, discovering tools and learning game mechanics to unravel the puzzles that the curious inhabitants of the well create. With no combat involved, interacting with or evading these creatures turns into its own form of puzzle. Even beyond the “ending,” there’s an abundance of secrets waiting to be uncovered.

This one left a mark on me. It took a while to pinpoint why it continually gave me chills with every second I played. Finally, it dawned on me: the real character is the environment itself, with your lively little blob lighting the way through synchronized moments and interactions that are constantly gratifying. Unraveling the mysteries felt like directly engaging with the creators’ intentions, and as I delved deeper, my focus shifted towards uncovering hidden secrets rather than just reaching an endpoint. If you relish challenging yourself to discover every hidden detail in a game without external help, prepare for an engrossing adventure.

Planet Coaster 2 is a dream come true for fans of theme park and strategy simulations who thrive on creativity and tactical maneuvering. Right from the start, you are mesmerized by the stunning graphics and engaging character guides that ease you through the intricacies of managing a park. There’s an endless array of possibilities for designing and building the theme park of your dreams, and I could easily lose countless hours on this alone! The intuitive coaster builder encourages you to unleash your imagination and invent thrilling rides, while the management elements keep you grounded in the practicalities of running a successful park. Balancing staff, budget, and visitor satisfaction is key.

The community aspect adds a layer of enjoyment, as you can share your own breathtaking creations and download those made by others, offering endless inspiration. This blend of community interaction, strategic insight, and creative expression makes Planet Coaster 2 a standout, whether you’re seasoned in park management or just dipping your toes into the genre.

Phasmophobia provides an exhilarating horror experience where your task is to investigate haunted locations and decipher the type of ghost lurking in the shadows using various ghost-hunting tools. Each ghost leaves distinct paranormal signatures you need to identify, and your success hinges on correctly guessing their type.

But it’s more than just identification — it’s about the pulse-pounding tension as the game manipulates traditional horror elements like sound and light to heighten the atmosphere. With no means to fight back, speed and stealth become your best allies in outmaneuvering the looming danger.

Sharing this chilling adventure with friends magnifies both the fear and the fun; there’s nothing quite like the echoes of your pals’ panicked screams in voice chat to underscore the game’s terrifying charm.

Tapping into the nostalgic allure of retro horror, Fear the Spotlight throws you into a suspenseful world where puzzle-solving and stealth are paramount. Vivian and Amy’s nighttime séance at their school quickly spirals into chaos, with Amy vanishing and Vivian left alone to unravel the institution’s dark secrets.

The narrative’s slow-building dread is embodied by a menacing spotlight-headed stalker, keeping players on their toes as they navigate perilous conundrums and gather essential items to progress. It’s not about jump scares, but the creeping unease that makes it an exceptional story-driven horror experience.

Slay the Princess adds an intriguing spin to the visual novel genre, akin to a choose-your-own-adventure narrative with a sinister twist. Your objective is to end the reign of a mysterious princess, guided through various branching prompts by an enigmatic narrator. Your choices shape the narrative, inviting new voices and changing the dynamics.

The princess’s appearance morphs with your actions, weaving a story that traces and retraces itself through numerous endings. The game’s striking monochrome art, riveting soundtrack, and exceptional voice acting combine to create a profoundly immersive experience. While death is a frequent companion on this journey, persistence reveals rewarding layers beneath the surface. Keep pushing forward; the revelations are worth the journey.