25. The Red Strings Club An exercise in morality in a twisted Cyberpunk
society. The Red Strings Club is a point and clicks adventure where you play as a Bartender
tending to sophisticated and ‘odd’ customers. Experiment with various cocktails to learn
more about their personality and uncover the deeper mysteries of its world.
Although short, what makes this indie title memorable is its take on relevant social issues
despite happening in the far future. Making tough decisions and questioning the meaning
of life is The Red Strings Club’s lasting appeal.
It receives a playscore of 8.46
24. The Last Door: Season 2 - Collector’s Edition
The second installment of The Game Kitchen’s Lovecraftian point and click adventure. Season
2 not only opened new doors to its seemingly terrifying world, but it also introduced a
whole breed of madness worthy of Lovecraft and Allan Poe’s influence.
This Collector’s Edition features four full episodes with extra content for players willing
to learn more about its mythos. But of course, if you want to get a dose of this indie title,
it’s advisable you play the first Season prior. Sadly it’s not available on the Game
Pass.
It receives a playscore of 8.47
23. Yoku’s Island Express Villa Gorilla's action platformer is a union
of unlikely genres. Set in a sprawling 2D open world, Yoku takes you on a Metroidvania
tour of ancient caverns in--get this--pinball fashion.
Bouncing players around from one end to the next, it's a unique adventure experience that,
for some reviewers, definitely enhances the genre's usual meandering pace. On top of its
charming visuals and overall presentation, it also offers engaging puzzles, with each
area always ripe with secrets to scour for.
It has a playscore of 8.51
22. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice Before we get our hands on Senua’s next
adventure, we go back to the roots of her mental health issues with this award-winning
origin story. Senua’s Sacrifice mixes emotional storytelling with intense hack and slashes
action.
It’s a journey deep into Celtic Hell. Ninja Theory takes you to a mad world filled with
a deafening silence. Guide Senua and watch as to how her damaged psyche preys on her
vulnerable state.
A playscore of 8.57
21. Samorost 3 Amanita Design’s otherworldly exploration
game puts you into the tiny shoes of a curious space gnome in search for answers. It’s
not the kind of indie game that wows you with its addicting combat, what makes Samorost
engaging is its impressive visuals.
Travel across the cosmos with your Magical Flute and visit nine unique alien worlds to
discover. Each has its own set of surprises accompanied by an entrancing sound and music
design. It’s the kind of game you should play on a lonely weekend and feel every minute
of its atmosphere.
It has a playscore of 8.60
20. Infinifactory We’ve seen enough of 3D-based sandbox games
lately, but this 2015 gem was something special in the realm of puzzles. If you love SpaceChem,
then this is its ‘somewhat’ 3D makeover.
To appease your alien overlords, build working factories that can assemble products. It sounds
easy on paper, but its ‘almost’ realistic technical and engineering mechanics can really
push your brain to its limits.
A playscore of 8.60
19. Frostpunk Winter has arrived in this chilling city-building
survival game from 11 Bit Studios.
The world is engulfed by ice and it’s up to the player to save humanity from the biting
frost. Manage your remaining survivors and befriend ‘heat’ to your advantage. Use
a variety of Steam-based machines to keep your civilization warm and make it through
the day.
Make difficult choices that keep your humans well-fed and composed. Assign Laws that might
boost or break your people’s morale, but it’s all for the greater good. It’s another
fascinating entry from 11 Bit and as part of the Xbox Game Pass, this one is a steal.
It has a playscore of 8.62
18. APE OUT Devolver is back with more ridiculous titles
for the PC. This intense, wild, and colorful smash ‘em up from Gabe Cuzzillo is all about
an ape trying to make his way out of his miserable confinement.
Go full ape mode as you toss prison guards and your captors to their doom. It’s putting
primal power on a whole new perspective. It even includes a dynamic soundtrack to help
you groove out as you go on a brutal rampage in its procedurally generated levels.
It has a playscore of 8.65
17. Gears Of War 4 Its latest entry may not be the best of the
Gears series, but before that, there were the legendary Gears of War 4. Considered as
the king of cover shooters, this fourth title goes back to its roots.
Marcus Fenix makes a return to the fray 25 years after the events of the original trilogy.
Now aged and wise, he takes the role of mentor to his son as they fight against a new threat.
There’s more destruction as you face off against unknown creatures with the usual squad
JD, Kait, and Del. Relive the amazing moments once more.
It has a playscore of 8.67
16. Ori And The Blind Forest Definitive Edition Of course, who couldn’t forget about Microsoft’s
beloved forest spirit?
Take control of the adorable guardian Tree Spirit, Ori, as he carries out his duty to
save the magical forest from the growing darkness. With one of gaming’s most fluid platforming
controls, his journey around the ethereal foliage is one that reminds us of the joys
of classic Metroidvania.
Backed with carefully crafted visuals and symphonic soundtracks, Moon Studios' Ori and
the Blind Forest is a worthy entry to the Xbox Game Pass’ long list of great titles.
A playscore of 8.68
15. Valkyria Chronicles There’s not a lot of JRPGS that offer a
refreshing realism. What this 2008 PlayStation 3 classic depicts the thrills and tragedies
of war in JRPG fashion.
Put your tactical wits to the test with the game's unique Blitz Combat System where you
move your characters in the battlefield real-time but with a turn-based twist. But, while the
action of its hybrid gameplay is already a strong selling point, Valkyria Chronicles
really drives it home with a gripping narrative told in their gorgeous art style.
It has a playscore of 8.71
14. Unavowed This point and click indie adventure from
Wadjet Eye Games is rich with story and gripping with mystery. Set in New York, lift a demonic
curse that turns you into a bloodthirsty monster by joining an underground cult called The
Unavowed.
Choose from either a male or a female protagonist and make your choices matter. As a character
living in isolation, prevent as much damage as possible. The game has branching storylines,
so every playthrough is different.
A playscore of 8.76
13. Rise Of Tomb Raider Lara’s second adventure after her fresh
reboot back in 2013 takes her to the frozen tundra of Siberia in search for the secrets
of immortality. Rise Of The Tomb Raider is a huge leap in comparison to the first game.
In this sequel by Crystal Dynamics, Lara is more than a survival expert and now a hardened
killer. Her combination of new abilities, both deadly and crafty, makes her a force
to be reckoned with. Bask in the game’s astounding visuals and definitely one of the
best world designs in a videogame ever.
It has a playscore of 8.77
12. Fez There’s no shortage of Indie titles on the
Xbox Game Pass. Fez, unlike other platformers, is unique. it's a game that puts you right
smack in the fabric of space and time.
Dip your toes in this unnatural adventure from Polytron Corporation and survive the
seemingly absurd trips between the realms of the 2nd and 3rd dimension. Play as the
Fez-wearing protagonist and use his newly-acquired abilities to make sense of the disorienting
world he finds himself in. It's a game that challenges your perspective. Switch between
dimensions with a press of a button and discover the hidden trails beneath the planar puzzles.
A platformer with an intelligent and flawlessly executed premise, a playscore of 8.79
11. GEARS 5 This latest Gears entry centers around a new
yet familiar protagonist. 5 revolves around Kait in a quest about finding her mother.
Aside from Gears’ iconic cover shooting experience, this title will have the most
expansive world the series has ever seen with more freedom and customization options. It
may not be the strongest in terms of its story, but it’s still a great game for longtime
fans of the series. Especially when it’s just around Xbox Game Pass.
A playscore of 8.80
10. FTL: Faster Than Light Ever wanted to fly a Spaceship? Subset Games’
iconic real-time strategy game is a sci-fi wonder. Simulate your own flying spacecraft
in an attempt to save the galaxy.
There are many unique scenarios with multiple creative solutions with each playthrough so
you never get bored playing with your virtual galactic flying machine. With its availability
on the Xbox Game Pass, you can now spend hours and hours of your time experimenting with
its numerous possibilities.
A playscore of 8.80
9. The Messenger Ninja Gaiden meets Back to the Future lets
you play as a skilled Ninja and you slice and dice your way through enemies all around
time itself. Set in a cursed world, deliver a scroll to secure the survival of your clan.
Ominous as it may be, the game doesn’t take itself too seriously at all. What makes this
game great is its surprising amount of witty humor.
Powered by a trippy pixel-art style, jump, slide and run your way through various locations.
Defeat bosses, villains, and other associates that stop you on your path.
Don’t forget to deliver the message, it receives a playscore
of 8.87
8. Broforce If you’re familiar with the good ole’
days of Metal Slug and Contra, this is a worthy substitute for some explosive good fun. From
the developer Free Lives, follow a group under-funded yet over-powered military people and blow
things up sky high.
Filled with destructible objects, hardcore weapons, and a multiplayer mode to satiate
your anarchic desires, this game is good with friends! It has a playscore of 8.87
7. Downwell An indie game from Moppin where all you have
to do is go down, down, and down. Armed with your trusty Gun-boots, lead your character
as he descends deep into a procedurally generated abyss filled with monsters and traps.
Upgrade your character’s flashy boots or choose from a selection of power-ups that
makes the fall better and the scores higher. There’s enough replay value here and it
receives a playscore of 8.90
6. West Of Loathing The wild west is full of danger but that’s
certainly not West of Loathing’s intentions.
Ride on towards the frontier and no matter what you do, you won't be prepared for its
surprising amount of ridiculous antics. This Western comedy slash RPG Adventure takes you
to the black and white deserts.
Encounter a memorable cast of characters, both good, bad and sometimes ugly. A playscore
of 8.90
5. Opus Magnum From the studio known for its engineering
puzzles, Zachtronic's Opus Magnum is its own kind of masterpiece. It’s one of those puzzle
games that start simple, but it introduces various mechanics that make everything complex.
Putting a fun twist on programming, create potions galore using their unique transmutation
contraption. For anyone with an appetite for puzzles and rich storylines, it has a playscore
of 8.93
4. Into The Breach Subset Games’ follow up to their successful
Faster than Light. Into the Breach brings you to a not so near future of endless warfare
and colossal mechs.
This turn-based roguelike indie game is simple, but underneath its mechanical layers lies
a challenging adventure. Travel back through time and help the remnants of human civilization
against giant alien threats.
It receives a playscore of 8.96
3. Hotline Miami Who would’ve thought we could play Devolver’s
most popular title on Microsoft’s massive selection of games?
Fulfill your mission and face your demons in 1989 Miami. Go on a psychedelic killing
spree accompanied by a sweet soundtrack in this top-down action game. Don your animal
masks and go on a beautiful rampage with broken bones, decapitated heads and multiple stab
wounds.
It’s one experience you wouldn’t forget and it has a playscore of a 9.05
2. Hollow Knight Team Cherry’s Souls-like Metroidvania adventure
won our hearts since its release. Brave the dark and bug-infested caverns as a young knight
and uncover the mystery of this lost kingdom. Wield magical powers, and use your trusty
Nailsword to defeat challenging bosses.
It rekindles the classic Metroidvania flame where difficulty meets challenge. A playscore
of 9.07
1. Undertale Determination is what kept this game shine.
Hailed as one of our best PC Games of the last decade, this Alice in Wonderland-like
adventure tobyfox takes you to the shoes of a young kid trapped in a strange underground
world where monsters are either your friend or foe.
It’s unconventional RPG mechanics grants you choices to either spare or kill a character,
with both having an effect on
the game’s ending. Supported by a lovable cast of characters and a fantastic soundtrack,
Undertale is a recommended game for players who want to join the Xbox Game Pass experience.
A playscore of a 9.30