Xbox Game Pass' September 2024 line-up was packed with anticipated, high-profile releases. But whileXbox Game Pass' October 2024 line-up doesn’t have quite as many day-one launches waiting in the wings, it is bringing some of the best Indie games of the last few years to Xbox consoles, PC, and the Cloud.
Xbox Game Pass' October 2024 Line-Up Is Filled With Must-Play Indie Games
Open Roads - Available on Xbox Game Pass Now
ThoughOpen Roadswasn’t nearly as much of a critical hit as the two titles listed below, it’s still an Indie game that’s worth playing, especially as it’s now available via Xbox Game Pass. Predominantly a walking-sim,Open Roads' gameplayis fairly simple, but its story is engaging and effectively told through hand-drawn cutscenes that play after inspecting an object in the environment.
Open Roadstells the tale of Tess and her mother Opal as they set off on a road trip of familial discovery. WhileOpen Roads' narrativeis solid, it’s the performances by Kaitlyn Dever and Keri Russell that really sell the story and its dialogue. Though some critics took issue withOpen Roads' overly simplistic gameplay, most praised the game’s core relationship and its weighty domestic themes.
Sifu - Available on Xbox Game Pass Now
Sifuis probably the most well-known Indie game on this list, but it’s one that still deserves a much greater audience.Sifuis a third-person action game that strikes a unique balance between methodical Soulslike combat, and fast-paced beat-em-up action.Developer Sloclaptook everything it learned from 2017’sAbsolver, and distilled it down into a refined, addictive experience that leaves fans wanting more in the best way.
ThoughSifu’s combat can be punishing, it’s fair, and it rewards those who master the game’s systems.Sifu’s stylized art direction is also a major strength, giving its fast-paced fights an even more frenetic feel. On top of its main campaign,Sifualso has a wealth of challenge levels that were added post-launch, ensuring newcomers have plenty of content to work through. WithSifunow on Xbox Game Pass, there’s no reason not to try one of2022’s best Indie games.
Inscryption - Available on Xbox Game Pass October 10
A true hidden gem when it was first released in October 2021,Inscryptionhas finally started to gain the recognition it deserves.Inscryptionis a roguelike deck-builder in a similar vein togames likeSlay the Spire, but it’s got a few unique tricks up its sleeve. The biggest thing that setsInscryptionapart from its contemporaries is its strong horror atmosphere.
Despite being a card game,Inscryptioncan get pretty scary at times, with a found-footage aesthetic, some brutally difficult boss encounters, and some creepy imagery keeping the player on edge at all times. Xbox Game Pass doesn’t have too many horror games currently lined up for spooky season, butInscryptionis a great start, arriving on the subscription service on October 10.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the highest tier of Microsoft’s flagship game subscription service that offers over 100 game titles that you can play with a single purchase, making it one of the most outstanding value propositions of the Xbox ecosystem to date.
