When Xbox Game Pass was first introduced in 2017, it seemed like the greatest deal in video game history. For a monthly price – as little as $1 during its early days – you gained access to a growing library of digital titles that ranged from triple-A blockbusters to indie darlings, with the promise of updates on a regular basis. Not to mention that Microsoft was folding in all of its first-party exclusives into the service at no extra cost, and they would be launching on day one, essentially removing the need to purchase such games at their full retail price.
With first-party exclusives thin on the ground in recent years and Xbox altering its strategy to release new and existing exclusive titles on rival platforms, the key appeal of Game Pass isn’t what it used to be. This growing disinterest is all about perspective though, and the idea that the service is nothing without the juggernauts holding it up for mainstream audiences. It’s more than that, and for years now it has been a place for indie darlings to be uncovered by enthusiasts like myself and new audiences who’ve never heard of them.
Indies Are The Lifeblood Of Xbox Game Pass
A 2×1 crop of an official Sea of Stars artwork depicting the game’s party sitting around a campfire at night.
Earlier this week, Microsoft held an ID@Xbox Showcase for indie titles coming to Game Pass throughout 2025, and all of them look amazing in one way or another. It builds on a legacy of debuting stellar independent titles on the service and putting them in front of an audience they might have never gained otherwise. Cocoon, Harold Halibut, Open Roads, Sea of Stars, and Citizen Sleeper are just a few of the independent efforts we have seen arrive on Game Pass over the years, turning the subscription service from the home of Gears of War and Forza Motorsport into a comprehensive love letter to the medium.
The recent showcase continues that trend, highlighting a number of cool-looking games coming our way in the next 12 months that can be found on most platforms, and the knowledge that Game Pass members can hop on and download them for nothing makes it so much more exciting. Here are a few of them that left an impression on me.
Tanuki: Pon’s Summer
Developed by Denkiworks (Cursed To Golf), this adorable delivery simulator puts you in the shoes of a nervous, plump tanuki who rides around a rural Japanese town on his BMX with piles of packages to deliver.
Like the studio’s previous game, this one has a gorgeous aesthetic and killer humour while offering the player a multitude of fun mechanics and minigames designed to make sure you have as much fun as possible. There seemingly isn’t much of a narrative, but I’m happy with meeting a colourful cast of characters and grinding down rails like a furry animal.
33 Immortals
This game has a central premise that I’ve never seen before. You are one of 33 characters, all of which are controlled by real people as you venture into vast dungeons in this upcoming co-op roguelike. I’m unsure whether it’s a battle royale situation and you need to survive as long as possible in each run, or if you stick together until the very end. Either way, I’m in.
I’m also a big fan of its subtle yet impactful aesthetic, which combines bold colours with an array of enemy designs that range from grotesque monsters to biblically accurate angels. It will be fascinating to find out whether its central premise is more than an awesome gimmick.
Tempopo
From the creators of Unpacking comes a game that looks like the love child of Captain Toad Treasure Tracker and Rhythm Heaven. You need to escort a titular troop of cutesy creatures across levels while keeping with the beat and collecting precious items.
Chances are you can complete stages even if your tempo isn’t all that, but there will be extra rewards for those with a keen ear for rhythm. This seems like a pretty simple experience, but that doesn’t stop it from looking like a ton of fun. It reminds me of HarmoKnight, an underrated rhythm outing from Game Freak on the Nintendo 3DS.
Echo Weaver
First revealed during the showcase, this Metroidvania has a stunning aesthetic reminiscent of Blasphemous and Axiom Verge. It has all the telltale marks of the genre like level design that rewards you for opening up new paths over the course of your adventure and enemies that can be fought or avoided depending on the mood you’re in. Sign me right up.
But the most interesting aspect of this reveal is the glaive wielded by the protagonist. It is not only a weapon, but also seems to let out a bright light that can be used to navigate darker environments. It also reminds me of Dark Sector, a third-person shooter from almost two decades ago developed by Digital Extremes. I doubt it will be used to dismember, but an everlasting source of light could be used to execute some incredible moments.
These are just a few of the games that stood out during the showcase, so be sure to check out the full presentation for a better look at the brilliant stuff coming to Game Pass. Right now it can be hard to find time for indie games when every single triple-A game is either an open world epic or a live-service experience designed to suck up every free minute we have, but showcases like this are a reminder that there is so much cool stuff in the works right now.
Xbox Series X
- Brand
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Microsoft
- Operating System
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Proprietary (Windows-based)
- Storage
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1TB WD SN530 NVMe SSD
- VR Support
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No