As the festive season unfolds, the ID@Xbox crew is buzzing with excitement to introduce their curated selection for this month’s Indie Selects. Before diving into the titles, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has championed independent games on Xbox throughout the past year. Indie Selects dedicates itself to celebrating games that are quirky and distinct. The perfect game isn’t always a big-name blockbuster; sometimes it’s a beautifully crafted, emotionally impactful story, or a refreshing twist on a familiar idea. Whatever it is, your support enables creative developers to shine, and for that, we are incredibly grateful.
Now, instead of offering a quick one-week showcase for the December Selects, we’ve decided to expand it into three weeks of 2024’s Indie Selects Highlights. Beginning December 11, and each following Wednesday, we’ll feature 18 of our favorite titles released this past year. Be sure to browse the Indie Selects in the Xbox Store under the Games Home tab for more indie gems you’ll want to explore.
Come January 28, 2025, we’re gearing up to celebrate a full year of this program with a 2024 Anniversary Collection. Within this collection, we’ll present six of the top Indie Selects from the year, titles we consider must-haves for any collection. While there are more surprises, sales, and new collections in the pipeline for 2025, let’s turn our attention to the present with this month’s offerings.
We were overwhelmed this month with a plethora of titles that intrigued us with their original designs, mysterious mechanics, captivating narratives, and entertaining gameplay. The debate to select what we would feature was intense. Some folks wanted a bit of lingering October spookiness, others yearned for adventures riding alongside a giant wolf, while a few craved diving into enigmatic worlds full of choices and creativity. Ultimately, we crafted a list that made everyone here happy, and we’re confident you’ll find something memorable too. So without further ado, here’s what’s on offer this month:
Neva is not a game for those wanting to dodge emotion. Having played it over a recent weekend, I found its blend of a stunning visual style and a haunting soundtrack utterly captivating, even moving me to tears at times. It’s beautifully engrossing and a real joy to play.
Nomada Studio, the powerhouse behind Gris, has clearly sharpened its expertise with Neva. While Gris set a high bar as a powerful piece of artistry, Neva picks up the baton, adding easy-to-master yet satisfying platforming and combat elements. It’s a concise five-hour journey, but those hours are packed with introspection and heartwarming moments seldom found in games. If combat becomes a challenge, there’s a “Story Mode” available, designed to let you focus on the experience without the threat of defeat.
Next up, there’s Animal Well—a mesmerizing 2D Metroidvania with stunning pixel art, abstract puzzles, and a living world that you navigate as a squishy little blob. The charm lies in figuring out what roles the well’s creatures play, given the absence of traditional combat. As you progress, the game keeps expanding beyond just the ending, packed with secrets and discoveries.
This game felt unique, and it took me a while to understand why each session left me so awestruck. I realized the world itself, with its immersive environments, was the true protagonist. Every small interaction was simply delightful and rewarding. For those who enjoy uncovering every nook and cranny without turning to online guides, Animal Well is an invitation to showcase your skills and relish the journey.
Planet Coaster 2 beckons theme park enthusiasts seeking the perfect blend of management and creativity. Those vibrant visuals pull you right into its universe, where the game’s intuitive mechanics let you build extravagant roller coasters and keep guest satisfaction high. Sharing creations with others and incorporating their ideas adds an extra layer of community joy. Whether you are a seasoned park manager or new to strategy games, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy.
Turning to the spooky, Phasmophobia offers a compelling horror experience. The thrill lies in identifying different ghosts using an array of ghost-hunting tools, and the game perfectly uses classic horror elements to create a chilling atmosphere. It’s a stellar cooperative game as well, full of laughter and fright as you uncover mysteries with friends.
For fans of retro horror narratives, Fear the Spotlight delivers a ’90s vibe that emphasizes puzzle solving and stealth over jump scares. It’s a fascinating ride through eerily atmospheric environments, unraveling mysteries as you evade a monstrous spotlight-headed foe. Without combat, staying out of sight is your only survival strategy in this engaging story.
And finally, Slay the Princess offers a visual novel turned choose-your-own-adventure, challenging you to — quite literally — slay a princess. Exploring its imaginative narrative paths is a gripping experience, merging unique graphic design with an immersive storyline. Expect to face multiple challenges, but rest assured, every choice is a fresh narrative path waiting to be unveiled.
That’s our round-up for this month’s Indie Selects. Dive into these captivating stories and share the journey in style.
