Xbox Game Pass is one of the most popular video game streaming services in the game industry right now. Offering hundreds of PC and Xbox games for the cost of its monthly subscription, it offers great value to all who subscribe. For many Xbox owners, this service may have been the reason behind their purchase of the console as Xbox Game Pass is a cheaper alternative to gain access to multiple quality games than having to purchase them outright. The variety of choice also helps to maintain the place of Game Pass as one of the most popular services in gaming, as it seems to offer a little something for everyone.
Indie fans are no exception to the allure of this service, as Game Pass has a pretty great collection of indie games for fans to choose from. These indie games range from old classics like Goat Simulator to brand-new titles like 12 minutes. As a result of this, Game Pass is one of the best gaming services out there for fans of indie games, with the only complication being the choice of which game to play first. There are, however, some indie games that stand out among the rest as clear must-play titles for fans of indie games on Game Pass.
Stardew Valley
As the number one example of the offerings of this service, Stardew Valley is now available on Xbox Game Pass. Lovers of indie games and gamers in general have been big fans of Stardew Valley since it was released in 2016. The game appeals to a broad audience of gamers due to its simple controls and wholesome premise. Stardew Valley is a simulation RPG where the player takes over their grandfather’s plot of land, aiming to turn it into a productive and successful farm. There are many ways the player can do this, ranging from regular farm tasks to mining for ore and crafting.
Stardew Valley is essentially a chill village sim in a similar vein to games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It is a type of game that is much appreciated by modern-day gamers, as gaming continually becomes a distraction from the stresses of real life for many. Indie games are a good place to look for these cutesy, stress-relieving titles, and so Stardew Valley stands out as a quintessential example of an indie game. Stardew Valley is an example of an indie title on Xbox Game Pass that can appeal to indie fans and non-indie fans alike, standing as a great reason to check out Game Pass for gamers on Xbox and PC.
Slime Rancher
Slime Rancher 2 was announced earlier in the year with a trailer that garnered a lot of attention from all kinds of gamers. Like Stardew Valley, it is a more cutesy title, and gamers who were interested in the trailer may want to check it out when it releases next year. However, if they haven’t already, they can play the first game right now on Game Pass. Playing the original is a great way to prepare and learn the ropes before Slime Rancher 2 releases next year, and for indie fans who prefer a more chilled experience, Slime Rancher is absolutely worth the download.
Slime Rancher 2 will also be coming to Game Pass upon release, so it is one to watch out for, but the original game is a lot of fun on its own. In Slime Rancher, players take control of a character who has just moved to a ranch far from earth to farm adorable and dangerous slimes. While they start with very little, players soon collect more slimes and unlock more of Slime Rancher’s surprisingly expansive, yet confusing, open world. There’s a sense of achievement and wonderment in discovering new areas and collecting new slimes, making Slime Rancher a worthwhile game and a great reason for indie fans to use Game Pass.
Undertale
Like Stardew Valley, Undertale is an indie game that has transcended the indie game genre, managing mainstream recognition and success. Also like Stardew Valley, Undertale is available on Game Pass for now, making it a good opportunity for gamers to check it out if they haven’t already. Undertale has enjoyed great success as an indie game, becoming known as an all-time classic in gaming culture, and receiving its fair share of memes. Undertale is quite an old game at this point, releasing in 2015, but its timeless art style means it is as worth checking out now as it was six years ago when it was first released.
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is a Metroidvania indie game available right now on Game Pass. It is absolutely packed with secrets to discover and an overwhelming and immersive sense of atmosphere in each of the areas of the game world. Each of these locations gives off a different feel, yet connects well with the overall feel of the game. Hollow Knight has plenty to explore and combat that’s challenging enough to keep players coming back. It is one of the more well-received indie games of the past few years, once again standing as an icon of indie gaming. It is well worth checking out for gamers who haven’t yet, and for indie fans, it is yet another reason that Game Pass is a must-use platform.
Among Us
Among Us is a popular name right now for a couple of reasons. For starters, it has just been released on consoles, but Among Us VR has also just been announced, which has gamers intrigued. The recently released console version of Among Us is also available on Game Pass, which is perhaps of more interest right now. Among Us is an indie that reached peak levels of popularity last year due to its accessible and social nature. It has a fairly simple premise, but one that caught on massively. While the peak of its popularity was in 2020, the new console version of the game may bring new popularity to the game, making it one to check out.
Among Us, as well as the rest of the expansive list of indie games on Game Pass highlight just how great the indie offering on Game Pass is. While there are many gaming services out there, few offer better value to indie fans than Game Pass.