Indie games have been not-so-quietly carrying the year. While big-budget releases have had their moment in the sun and even seen some stumbles, the indie scene has surged forward with fresh ideas, strong communities, and the kind of creativity that sticks with you long after you set the controller down. It’s been a year of bold risks paying off, and the momentum hasn’t slowed heading into the final stretch of 2025. And there’s no better way to celebrate this triumphant year for indies than with the convenience of an Xbox Game Pass subscription.
This week’s Xbox Game Pass lineup highlights just how well indies are thriving. From emotional journeys and bite-sized adventures to the kind of titles that make you stop and reflect, it feels like a celebration of what independent studios do best. If 2025 has taught us anything, it’s that indies aren’t just filling gaps in the calendar—they’re defining the year.
The Best Xbox One & Series X/S Games That Don't Require An Internet Connection
The Xbox One and Series X/S are filled with games that require an Internet connection to play but some of them will let you go "net free."
Hades
On Thursday, the wait is finally over for Hades 2’s Early Access players. For those of us with a PC, Steam Deck, or Switch 2, Melinoe’s descent to Hades is finally here, bringing all the thrills, family drama, and the “just one more run” lies we tell ourselves. But if you fall outside this category, or just haven’t experienced the first game, your Xbox Game Pass subscription will come to the rescue.
The story of the Hades series doesn't start with Melinoe but with her brother Zagreus. Hades takes us on Zagreus’ journey to the surface, where he hopes to uncover the secrets behind his mother’s disappearance. It's a tale filled with memorable characters, tough combat, and plenty of bittersweet frustration that will keep you coming back. Supergiant has established itself as the studio to watch for the modern roguelike with Hades. As a gamer whose strength isn't roguelikes, I consider Hades to be a non-negotiable gaming experience, no matter what your typical playlist looks like.
Hades
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 94 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- September 17, 2020
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Supergiant Games
- Publisher(s)
- Supergiant Games
WHERE TO PLAY
- Franchise
- Hades
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Roguelite
- Platform(s)
- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- How Long To Beat
- 23 Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
Firewatch
Firewatch has one of those premises that immediately pulls you in. You step into the shoes of Henry, a fire lookout stationed deep in the Wyoming wilderness, tasked with long days of solitude, routine patrols, and keeping the forest safe. The only real connection you have to the outside world is a crackling radio line with Delilah, your supervisor, whose witty and sometimes vulnerable conversations start to cut through the isolation.
The game is part mystery, part exploration, and all atmosphere. It's a story-rich indie title with a strength that lies in how grounded it feels. The wilderness is stunning, the dialogue is sharp, and the story knows when to leave you uneasy. Firewatch is short enough to finish on a weekend, but its sense of place and emotional weight will stay with you much longer.
Firewatch
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 79%
- Released
- February 9, 2016
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Suggestive Themes, Nudity, Drug and Alcohol Reference, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Campo Santo
- Publisher(s)
- Campo Santo, Panic
WHERE TO PLAY
Little Kitty, Big City
Sometimes the best way to spend an afternoon is stepping into the tiny paws of a cat with big-city dreams. Little Kitty, Big City offers exactly that: a playful, open-world adventure where curiosity leads the way. You’ll scamper across rooftops, squeeze into alleyways, and cause just enough mischief to keep things interesting, all while uncovering small secrets tucked into the cityscape. It’s a game that never takes itself too seriously, and that’s the charm.
The world is colorful, the tone is light, and every moment feels like a cozy, low-stakes adventure. If you’ve been searching for something stress-free and delightfully whimsical on Game Pass this week, this little cat’s journey is worth the trip.
Little Kitty, Big City
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 76%
- Released
- May 9, 2024
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Developer(s)
- Double Dagger Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Double Dagger Studio
WHERE TO PLAY
A peaceful catnap turns into a whimsical adventure!
Will you make your way home or will you explore what the big city has to offer first? I mean, getting home is obviously your main priority. Obviously. Well, it's one of your priorities. Maybe more of a guideline... It's definitely on your To-Do list somewhere! But first? Exploration!
Explore the city at your own pace in an open-world playground filled with surprises! Make friends with a colorful cast of chatty animals.
Complete quests, help your animal friends, or cause a total ruckus. It’s up to you.
Customize your Kitty with a plethora of very adorable hats! Take a nap in the sunshine. Find a way home...?
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- How Long To Beat
- 3 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 2 GB (November 2024)
Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition
Recently, I was at a con where Spiritfarer kept getting recommended to me everywhere I went. Whether I was in line, at a panel, or chatting with strangers, the game seemed to be a popular topic of conversation—like the universe was telling me to give it a try. Now, I’m urging you to also play it through the convenience of your Xbox Game Pass subscription.
Spiritfarer is often described as a cozy game. What's surprising, though, is that it's really a management sim about death at its core. As a ferrymaster guiding spirits to the afterlife, you'll farm, harvest, fish, and craft your way through the story. With its warm, heartfelt tone, it's one of the best games of 2020; perfect for when you’re in the mood for something emotional and maybe even a good cry.
Spiritfarer
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 92%
- Released
- August 18, 2020
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Language, Use of Tobacco, Violent References
- Developer(s)
- Thunder Lotus Games, Kowloon Nights, Canada Media Fund
- Publisher(s)
- Thunder Lotus Games
WHERE TO PLAY
Stardew Valley
ConcernedApe fans have been rejoicing lately thanks to Stardew Valley’s upcoming 1.7 update. This announcement came as a welcome surprise as players wait for Haunted Chocolatier news, giving them a proper reason to return to Stardew. While the content wishlist for Stardew Valley update 1.7 is long, the current state of the game is incredibly welcoming to all.
If you’re looking for a game to unwind this week, this cornerstone of cozy gaming is the title for you. As a newcomer in Stardew Valley's Pelican Town, you’ll tend to a farm that’s in pretty rough shape. But through foraging, building friendships, mining, and crafting, you’ll build a self-sufficient farm that brings life to this sleepy town.
Stardew Valley
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- February 26, 2016
- ESRB
- E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
- Developer(s)
- ConcernedApe
- Publisher(s)
- ConcernedApe
WHERE TO PLAY
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- Stardew Valley does not currently support crossplay between different consoles and PC
- Cross Save
- cross-progression is only available between the PC and mobile versions of the game
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical or Horizontal
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Simulation
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-4 Players
- How Long To Beat
- 53 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- No
- File Size Xbox Series
- 1 GB (November 2023)