This Year, We’re Leveling Up with Indie Games: Indie Selects for January - Xbox Wire

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Each Wednesday, dive into the Indie Choose Hub — your gateway to a contemporary, curated indie assortment plus 4 themed spotlights that rotate weekly! You possibly can at all times discover this assortment hub within the Xbox Retailer and on Xbox.com/IndieSelects.

Our objective for 2026? Make it the very best 12 months but for Indie Selects! Late November and early December indie releases typically fly beneath the radar, so this month we’re giving them the highlight they deserve. Our assortment is stacked: a classy ways RPG, a difficult roguelite creature collector, a retro-inspired metroidvania with fashionable twists, a gripping text-based political sim, a mind-bending 47-minute time loop journey, and sure—the psychic-powered child simulator you by no means knew you wanted. Right here’s what we’ve received for you this month (in no explicit order):

Demonschool is a joyride of a tactical RPG that follows the charismatic demon hunter Faye, on an apocalypse-preventing quest full of gangsters, quirky lecturers, classmates, and, effectively… demons. Gamers are tasked with exploring a mysterious island and faculty campus by way of numerous missions and minigames, managing relationships and faculty schedules, discovering new expertise, and continuously combating waves of enemies. Whereas all of it was enjoyable, I believe the fight captivated me essentially the most! It includes a two-phase turn-based construction that leverages motion sequencing in a approach that seems like fixing choreography puzzles. Every character has completely different talents, and if moved to the fitting house and triggered in the fitting order, you may maximize harm throughout the motion section. This carries an analogous depth and stage of participant expression to that present in its friends, however its distinctive presentation enhances the satisfaction when profitable. Paired with numerous enemy sorts, a mission rank system, and a forgiving rewind function, the expertise felt thrilling, difficult, rewarding, and approachable.

Apart from fight, I used to be delighted by the element proven by way of interactivity and easter eggs inside every surroundings. Pet the canine and it'd offer you one thing. Throw a coin in a fountain. Speak to an NPC on the docks and learn the way their great-grandpappy died as a demon-hunting fisherman. I discovered myself interacting with the whole lot I might to seek out one other mini-game or learn one other hilarious one-liner, like the child who claimed they “marked their seat” throughout orientation. As a gamer who doesn’t usually play RPGs, I satirically discovered myself glued to this. The soundtrack is FIRE, the modern-retro aesthetic is fantastically designed, and the storytelling by way of its diverse character personalities and appeal saved issues contemporary and entertaining.

– Deron Mann

Demonschool Ysbryd Video games

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 9

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

$24.99

Demonschool is a new-style ways RPG the place movement equals motion. Defeat huge weirdos in between the human and demon worlds as Faye and her misfit companions, whereas navigating college life on a mysterious island.

My first few runs in Morsels taught me an necessary lesson: getting too connected is a quick observe again to the beginning display. Developed by Furcula and printed by Annapurna Interactive, Morsels is a roguelike motion recreation that rewards flexibility, experimentation, and the flexibility to confess when your present plan isn’t working. Quite than committing to a single character, gamers gather a number of “Morsels,” every with its personal talents and fight model. I shortly realized that success depended much less on selecting the “greatest” creature and extra on realizing when to modify. Stubbornness, it seems, isn't a viable technique.

The sport follows acquainted roguelike conventions, together with procedurally generated rooms, escalating issue, and chronic development between runs. What helps Morsels stand out is its deliberately unusual visible model. Creature designs are unsettling in one of the best ways, and the gritty environments really feel like they had been designed to maintain you barely on edge—simply in case the enemies weren’t already doing that. Development is pushed by unlocking new Morsels and card-based modifiers. A few of these techniques took a number of runs to click on, however experimenting with completely different mixtures typically led to these satisfying moments the place issues immediately begin going your approach—proper earlier than they don’t.

Morsels doesn’t reinvent the roguelike style, however its deal with adaptability offers it a transparent persona. For Xbox gamers who get pleasure from studying by way of trial, error, and the occasional snigger at their very own expense, it’s a fascinating and memorable expertise.

– Steven Allen

Morsels Annapurna Interactive

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 17

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

$14.99

You're a hungry mouse, scrounging for scraps within the sewers, if you meet a magical sentient fatberg who teaches you to rework right into a mighty little Morsel. Along with your new powers, set off to harmful higher worlds the place you battle towards the cats' oppressive forces and gather new Morsels, strategically swapping as you go.

From developer Furcula, Morsels is an oddball top-down, creature collector roguelite with a rotating roster of playable characters you turn between at will. Full of frenetic motion and persona, gamers use magical playing cards to rework into little monsters, gather and nurture a troop of your individual monster pals to battle cat dominance, and persist in any respect prices to outlive.

Let’s be sincere: hauling round a large sword is about as impractical because it will get for an adventurer—particularly when vertical traversal is concerned. I might write a hundred-page thesis on why that’s absurd, however truthfully, GigaSword says all of it. This action-puzzle Metroidvania from single-developer-led Studio Hybrid, feels prefer it leapt straight out of an NES traditional assortment, difficult your fight and technique expertise whereas confronting the tough actuality of our childhood dream: “the largest sword ever.” Spoiler alert: swords are heavy, and also you’re nowhere close to as agile as Cloud Strife led you to consider.

When you dive in, you’ll shortly notice the GigaSword’s weight is each a blessing and a curse. Fight feels easy but honest—each swing is deliberate, and that further wind-up means you’ll have to time assaults rigorously or danger consuming harm mid-swing. Issues escalate if you face huge bosses that demand sample recognition and precision.

However the sword isn’t only for combating—it’s central to the sport’s intelligent environmental puzzles. Detaching from it turns into important as you navigate obstacles, utilizing its heft to set off strain plates and even as a makeshift lever to shift platforms. The vibe? Assume Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest meets the creative puzzle mechanics of Legend of Zelda.

The sport doesn’t pull its punches in relation to its stiff fight, however not like its NES predecessors, you’ve received save factors to protect your sanity. The sword’s weight continuously reminds you that speedrunning isn’t an possibility—however then come these moments if you deal with a complete dungeon with out the blade, introducing a complete new layer of problem. If you happen to’re a fan of intricate puzzle platformers like Animal Effectively, it is a distinctive expertise price including to your assortment.

– Raymond Estrada

GIGASWORD Akupara Video games

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 8

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

$14.99

Steadiness the load of the GIGASWORD, battling between mind and brawn on this action-puzzle metroidvania the place the may of the sword will decide all. As tensions rise in Thoenhart, a metropolis suffering from famine and illness, the people inside set their hopes on a closing answer: invade the traditional tower Nestrium, slay the Nocturne, and take the God Crystal, Gnosis, for themselves. Mentioned to grant prosperity to those that wield it, Gnosis has been lengthy wanted by humanity for generations. Nevertheless, upon raiding its resting place, the disturbance of this historical energy awakens an evil able to destroying the very material of actuality. Can Ezra attain the highest of the Nestrium in time to cease this cataclysm, or will humanity’s ignorance lead the world to its doom?

Oh child! What a recreation! Not sufficient persons are speaking about this one. Goodnight Universe isn't a child sim… it’s a supernaturally gifted child sim. You tackle the function and perspective of Isaac who’s a sensible, keenly conscious, and succesful toddler, in a position to deal with surprisingly advanced issues. That and the telekinesis potential, of which an evil company may be very conscious and wish to use for their very own functions.

Earlier than we even contact gameplay, the voice appearing and writing are very good and fascinating. The narrator connects with the participant as we each witness so many performances between absolutely fleshed out characters highlighting their household dynamics, their struggles, and their successes. The writing is heartwarming and enjoyable, exploring themes of the messiness of home life and what it means to be human. The general narrative is, for me, the spotlight of the sport.

Gameplay begins out easy, seen by way of the newborn’s eyes in first particular person. You click on on objects for narration or interplay, however as soon as powers kick in, that’s when issues get fascinating. It is possible for you to to maneuver objects along with your thoughts and even dive into somebody’s ideas. As the sport progresses, you unlock new powers and deal with sequences the place you could use your powers on the proper time.

The console model lacks the eye-tracking function Good Dream launched in Earlier than Your Eyes. I examined it on Steam, and whereas the mechanic provides an intimate twist to the first-person expertise, albeit with occasional awkwardness, it isn’t important right here. In contrast to Earlier than Your Eyes, skipping it doesn’t compromise the core gameplay. The sport took me about 4-5 hours to finish and I can’t advocate this sufficient, particularly for anybody that loves distinctive, narrative-driven video games… and infants. Gamer dad authorized.

– Raymond Estrada

Goodnight Universe Skybound Video games

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 19

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

$19.99

From the creators of Earlier than Your Eyes. You're Isaac, a 6-month-old child, growing mysterious psychic powers. What you need most is to be cherished and accepted by your loved ones, however a secretive tech company desires you for their very own.

Suzerain is a critically acclaimed, narrative-driven authorities simulator that’s much more addictive than its area of interest style suggests. At 11 p.m., I reminded myself that I used to be solely speculated to play for a number of hours. Consider it as a choose-your-own-adventure the place you’re the newly elected president of a fictional nation, tasked with shaping its future. Will you lead with integrity and construct a brighter tomorrow or plunge into corruption, spark wars, and line your individual pockets? The selection is yours.

It is a text-based journey, so count on loads of studying as occasions unfold and characters communicate, adopted by dialogue decisions that form your path. However it’s not all dry coverage. Past signing payments or reviewing financial reviews, you’ll navigate scandals, shady offers, and ethical dilemmas. The intro alone lays out 50 years of wealthy lore on your homeland, and as soon as I received into it, it felt like studying a very nice novel. Fortunately, the writing, presentation, and UI are top-notch. In any other case, I truthfully haven’t learn this a lot since my deep dive into Blue Prince.

Suzerain’s best power is its replayability. The depth of the characters round me and detailed lore make each alternative impactful, with every determination reshaping the course of my presidency. My first run centered on financial and social reforms that aligned with my precise ideology, however on this new run I’m presently going full corrupt chief, bribing my approach by way of scandals and taking each unsavory side-deal that comes my approach. With a 6-to-7-hour marketing campaign, a number of playthroughs can simply triple your time. If you happen to love strategic decision-making with out twitch reflexes, that is for you—board avid gamers, I’m speaking to you!

– Raymond Estrada

Suzerain Expanded Version Torpor Video games

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 22

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

$31.99

The Expanded Version consists of the award-winning political drama Suzerain, and the Suzerain: Kingdom of Rizia DLC.

Suzerain As President Rayne, lead the nation of Sordland in your first time period of this text-based RPG. Navigate a political drama pushed by conversations along with your cupboard members. With looming warfare, rooted corruption, financial disaster and reform wanted, the alternatives fall in your shoulders. How will you lead?

Suzerain: Kingdom of Rizia Embrace the crown as King Romus Toras, and lead the Golden Kingdom to a brand new period. Reclaim misplaced territories by way of diplomacy or power. Interact with noble homes and oversee the sources of Rizia. How will you reign?

Rue Valley is a comfy, narrative pushed thriller journey with a touch of life sim taste—assume mild exploration, quirky character encounters, and environmental puzzles tucked into each nook. It’s a form of small-town thriller sitting someplace between Evening within the Woods and Oxenfree, however carrying its personal soft-spoken appeal. You arrive because the city’s latest resident, slowly studying the rhythms, secrets and techniques, and oddball personalities that make you're feeling welcome… and it’s simply uncanny sufficient to maintain you leaning in. Oh, and naturally you're trapped in an odd time loop that causes you to relive precisely 47 minutes in perpetuity.

I’ve spent numerous hours wandering Rue Valley’s winding streets—half exploring, half getting delightfully sidetracked by a neighbor who simply had yet another story to share. Someplace between chatting up townsfolk and stitching collectively the city’s quiet mysteries, the sport actually pulls you into its world. The characters don’t behave like NPCs ready to dispense quests; they really feel just like the acquainted faces you at all times appear to stumble upon at your favourite café, every with quirks that make the city really feel genuinely lived in.

And sure, there’s a studying curve—particularly if you’re juggling exploration with dialogue decisions—but it surely’s the type that seems like easing into a brand new neighborhood. A bit complicated at first, then unexpectedly rewarding as soon as the whole lot clicks into place.

What saved me hooked most was the ambiance. Rue Valley is the form of place the place you sit down for “simply ten minutes” and search for hours later. It’s cozy, a contact mysterious, and at all times prepared with a delicate shock if you least count on it. If you happen to get pleasure from narrative adventures, small-town tales, or slow-burn video games the place the enjoyment comes from noticing the little issues—a flickering streetlight, a half-finished sentence, a lingering query—Rue Valley suits fantastically. It’s a world that invitations you to decelerate and let it reveal itself at its personal unhurried tempo.

– Jessica Ronnell

Rue Valley Owlcat Video games

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 14

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

$29.99

Break away from a mysterious time loop! Embark on a journey of self-discovery and resilience. Delve into the enigmatic depths of the small godforsaken city: Rue Valley.

Every day seems like an uphill battle towards the shadows of your individual thoughts. Alongside the best way, you'll encounter a fascinating ensemble of characters, every wrestling with their very own emotional complexities and revealing hidden depths as you get to know them. Are you able to muster the braveness to unravel the secrets and techniques of this temporal anomaly? Are you able to uncover the power inside your self to rise above adversity and forge a brighter tomorrow?

Craft your individual persona in Rue Valley. You could be a cold-hearted loner who overthinks the whole lot or a melodramatic loudmouth who at all times trusts their intestine intuition. Whether or not you replicate your true persona or role-play somebody fully completely different, your character will form your dialogues and interactions within the recreation.

Retailer recollections in a graph, unlocking intentions and mindsets as you progress uniquely by way of the story. Decide to quirky mindsets for sudden and hilarious dialogues, and expertise personality-altering Standing Results: grow to be extra outgoing when drunk, or further delicate when anxious.

Experiment with completely different solutions and timelines, as a result of the loop will restart from the start anyway, will not it?

STAY TUNED: Indie Selects Anniversary is coming quickly!

Mark your calendars for January 28 and prepare for our huge Indie Selects Anniversary Celebration, full of giveaways, reductions, and loads of surprises!