November Indie Picks and Exciting Announcements

With the holiday season around the corner, the excitement is palpable at the ID@Xbox team as they unveil this month’s Indie Selects. First off, a big shout-out to everyone who has been backing indie games on Xbox throughout the year. Our Indie Selects isn’t just a showcase; it’s a celebration of the strange and one-of-a-kind. Sometimes, a game doesn’t have to be a mega-hit to find its way into someone’s heart; it could be a well-crafted tale with emotional depth, a fresh twist on a classic idea, or just something intriguingly unconventional. Thank you for exploring our picks and championing the brilliant minds behind these creations.

In a delightful twist, this December won’t be constrained to just a single week of Indie Selects. Instead, we’re rolling out a three-week extravaganza of 2024 Indie Select Highlights. Starting December 11, each week will see us spotlighting a batch of 18 standout titles from the past year. Keep an eye on the Xbox Store’s Indie Selects section (just navigate to the Games Home tab and look down a few rows) every Wednesday for a fresh dose of indie goodness.

Mark your calendars for January 28, 2025, as we’ll be commemorating the annual milestone of this initiative with a special 2024 Anniversary Collection. Our team will cherry-pick six remarkable Indie Selects from the past year that we believe deserve the spotlight in our celebratory display. We have more surprises, upcoming sales, and collections for 2025, but let’s savor the present for now.

We’ve packed this month full of exciting selections. The array of titles we had to choose from stretched the boundaries with unique design choices, mysterious mechanics, gripping narratives, and pure enjoyment. Each of us had our personal favorites to root for—some veered towards chilling October themes needing that heart-thumping thrill, others dreamed of bonding with a giant wolf companion for their next journey. Many wanted to lose themselves in an enigmatic world with impossible decisions, or simply unleash their creativity. In the end, we’ve curated a list that delighted everyone on our team, and we’re certain there’s something here for you to enjoy and remember. Here’s a rundown of our picks for this month (listed without preference):

If you’re on the hunt for a game that tugs at your heartstrings, Neva is just that. I dived into it over the weekend and was swept away by the stunning aesthetics, mesmerizing soundtrack, and surprisingly fun gameplay. From Nomada Studio, the team behind the heartfelt Gris, Neva builds on that foundation with rich storytelling, smooth platforming, and engaging combat. It offers around five hours of gameplay that promise to leave you deeply touched and introspective. And should the combat become too intense, the “Story Mode” lets you focus more on the experience, sans the stress of losing.

Animal Well invites you into its beautifully pixelated, Metroidvania-style world, riddled with abstract puzzles. This immersive 2D environment casts you as a small, squishy blob navigating a mysterious, living ecosystem. As you uncover the secrets and utilize various tools, you’ll find that some creatures are pivotal puzzle pieces, while others test your resourcefulness as you dodge them without combat. This game is an experience, one that left an indelible mark on me. The environment itself is the true star here—every little interaction you uncover is like a whispered secret from the developers, waiting to be discovered. So if you’re up for a challenge, unravel every mystery without resorting to online tips, and relish the thrill of discovery.

Planet Coaster 2 is a brilliant adventure for fans of theme parks and strategic simulations. As a fan myself, this game checks all the boxes. You step into a bright, richly detailed world where you build and manage the theme park of your dreams. From brainstorming wild ride designs to juggling operational details, it offers a perfect balance between creativity and strategy. Sharing and downloading designs add a collaborative layer, making it exciting to see, adapt, and integrate the creative genius of other players into your own masterpiece.

Phasmophobia stands out as an enthralling horror game where your mission involves identifying the type of ghost haunting a location. Armed with ghost-detecting equipment, you’ll immerse yourself in the chilling atmosphere filled with eerie lights and spine-tingling sounds. The genuine thrill of the game lies in its collaborative play—there’s nothing quite like the shared panic of friends over voice chat as they desperately try to escape a ghost.

Fear the Spotlight combines retro horror vibes with a gripping mystery. Set in the ‘90s, you journey through a haunting narrative with brain teasing puzzles and tense espionage. At the heart of this chilling experience, you’ll encounter a terrifying figure—a figurehead lit spotlight man—and must stealthily navigate your environment to unravel the truth behind the school’s history.

Slay the Princess mixes a rich narrative arc with captivating, branching adventures. This visual novel challenges you to explore the layers of the story by interacting with a “narrator” whose cues guide your choices and shape the unfolding adventure. It’s a dance between humor, fear, and a touch of whimsy, punctuated with dynamic voice acting and artful design. Embrace the journey, expect to stumble, and keep pushing forward—it’ll be worth every twist and turn.

In essence, this month’s selections are packed with variety and originality—there’s bound to be something here that captures your fancy. Dive into the tales, indulge in the creativity, and enjoy the adventures that await on Xbox.