5 Best Indie Games on Xbox Game Pass (September 2023)

The Indie game space is thriving on Xbox Game Pass. This is great not only for the service itself but also for the player, as they can experience many fantastic Indie titles. These titles range in their scope and scale, but each, in their own way is unique. Today, we are going to highlight some of the best Indie games available through the service. So without further ado, here are our picks for the 5 Best Indie Games on Xbox Game Pass.

5. Celeste

Starting off our list of the best Indie games on Xbox Game Pass, we have Celeste. Celeste is a wonderfully artful title about self-discovery, and overcoming adversity. The beautiful pixelated art also serves to heighten the experience as a whole. For players looking for a handcrafted touch on the challenges present within their games, this game has you covered. The amount of thought and attention that has been poured into the game's impressive challenges is stunning. Additionally, for those players who seek more of a challenge, there is also the B-Sides content, which brings its own flavor of content.

Another one of Celeste‘s more prominent and celebrated aspects is its beautiful storytelling. Players will go on an unforgettable journey, where they will learn much along the way. The level design does a great job of varying the experience, while also adding plenty of atmosphere for players. This delicate balance makes Celeste one of the most memorable Indie game experiences in quite some time. For these reasons, we consider it one of the best Indie games on Xbox Game Pass.

4. Outer Wilds

For our next entry on our list of the best Indie games on Xbox Game Pass, we have Outer Wilds. Outer Wilds is unique for a number of reasons, with the most prominent of these reasons being its structure. Players will see themselves maneuvering throughout a time loop in a way that not only deepens the player's experience with the game but adds layers upon layers to find. The phenomenal lore within Outer Wilds ensures that there is plenty of meaningful information to find, whether it more information on an ancient civilization, or more hints as to the player's purpose for being caught in the loop.

One of the greatest aspects present within Outer Wilds is the hidden content tucked away in the game. This not only rewards players for going off of the beaten path but also rewards them for doing so. Adding to this feeling of danger and epic scale is the fact that these areas are often tumultuous and dangerous to navigate. This heightens the feeling of risk vs. reward that can prove so satisfying. All around, if you are looking for one of the best Indie games on Xbox Game Pass, check out Outer Wilds.

3. Undertale

Switching things up quite a bit with our next entry, here we have one of the most highly-praised indie RPGs of all time. When it was initially released, Undertale received high praise for its RPG elements, as well as its phenomenal characters and story. The game would go on to amass a great following, with tons of fans simply in love with the world of Undertale. One of the most unique aspects of Undertale is its pacifist approach to combat. It is possible for players to befriend the game's bosses, which is a rather interesting mechanic.

Additionally, the game allows players to make several really important choices throughout its runtime. These choices turn out to hold quite an immense weight, perhaps some of the weightiest decision-making in RPGs today. That isn't to say that you can't play the game casually, either, just for players who wish to get immensely invested, it is quite easy to do so. For players looking for a title that puts narrative and writing first. Make sure you check out Undertale one of the best Indie games on Xbox Game Pass.

2. Hollow Knight

Our next entry on our list of the best Indie games on Xbox Game Pass, we have Hollow Knight. Now, for players who enjoy Metroidvania titles, this game's inclusion should come as no surprise. The amount of depth and care that has been poured into the world of Hallownest is not only impressive but awe-inspiring. In addition to the phenomenal world and characters. The game also has a plethora of great DLC content to enjoy as well. The best part about this is that some of the DLC is free and adds quite a bit of content to the game.

However, for players who enjoy Hollow Knight‘s story or gameplay, there is also the immensely popular SilkSong DLC. For players looking for content, this game has you covered, with thirty base bosses and access to more if the player so chooses. All wrapped within a stunningly artful aesthetic that makes this game stick out to this day. All these things are also accompanied by a breathtaking score to heighten your immersion. To close, Hollow Knight is one of the best Indie games on Xbox Game Pass.

1. Deep Rock Galactic

Rounding out our list of the best Indie games on Xbox Game Pass, we have a title that emphasizes phenomenal cooperative gameplay. Deep Rock Galactic is a game that is built from the ground up to be played with others. This is due to the fact that the game has four different classes, that each fill specific roles. This is great, as it also means that players cannot simply perform every action needed to succeed. This requires teamwork, which is overall great for cooperative gameplay.

Adding to the sense of immersion and overall fun factor of the game is its phenomenal full destruction system. This, coupled with the procedurally generated caves, means that the opportunity for varied gameplay is near endless. This ensures that no matter how many hours you put into the game, potentially, you'll see something new. All of this being wrapped up in a charming package, make Deep Rock Galactic not only one of the best Indie games on Xbox Game Pass, but a phenomenal game in its own right.

So, what's your take on our picks for the 5 Best Indie Games on Xbox Game Pass (September 2023)? What are some of your favorite Indie Games on Xbox Game Pass? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.