Each Wednesday, dive into the Indie Choose Hub — your gateway to a recent, curated indie assortment plus 4 themed spotlights that rotate weekly! You may at all times discover this assortment hub within the Xbox Retailer and on Xbox.com/IndieSelects.
Our objective for 2026? Make it one of the 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 bought for you this month (in no specific 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 academics, classmates, and, nicely… demons. Gamers are tasked with exploring a mysterious island and faculty campus via varied missions and minigames, managing relationships and faculty schedules, discovering new expertise, and consistently preventing waves of enemies. Whereas all of it was enjoyable, I feel the fight captivated me essentially the most! It includes a two-phase turn-based construction that leverages motion sequencing in a manner that seems like fixing choreography puzzles. Every character has totally different skills, and if moved to the best house and triggered in the best order, you’ll be able to maximize harm through the motion part. This carries the same depth and degree of participant expression to that present in its friends, however its distinctive presentation enhances the satisfaction when profitable. Paired with varied enemy varieties, a mission rank system, and a forgiving rewind characteristic, the expertise felt thrilling, difficult, rewarding, and approachable.
Other than fight, I used to be delighted by the element proven via interactivity and easter eggs inside every atmosphere. Pet the canine and it’d provide you with one thing. Throw a coin in a fountain. Speak to an NPC on the docks and find out how their great-grandpappy died as a demon-hunting fisherman. I discovered myself interacting with every thing I may to search 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 paradoxically discovered myself glued to this. The soundtrack is FIRE, the modern-retro aesthetic is superbly designed, and the storytelling via its diverse character personalities and appeal saved issues recent and entertaining.
– Deron Mann
Demonschool
Ysbryd Video games
$24.99
Demonschool is a new-style ways RPG the place movement equals motion. Defeat massive 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 hooked up is a quick observe again to the beginning display screen. Developed by Furcula and revealed by Annapurna Interactive, Morsels is a roguelike motion sport that rewards flexibility, experimentation, and the flexibility to confess when your present plan isn’t working. Moderately than committing to a single character, gamers gather a number of “Morsels,” every with its personal skills and fight type. I shortly realized that success depended much less on choosing the “finest” creature and extra on realizing when to modify. Stubbornness, it seems, shouldn’t be 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 type. Creature designs are unsettling in one of the simplest ways, and the gritty environments really feel like they have 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 methods took a couple of runs to click on, however experimenting with totally different combos typically led to these satisfying moments the place issues all of the sudden begin going your manner—proper earlier than they don’t.
Morsels doesn’t reinvent the roguelike style, however its give attention to adaptability provides it a transparent character. For Xbox gamers who take pleasure in studying via trial, error, and the occasional chuckle at their very own expense, it’s an interesting and memorable expertise.
– Steven Allen
Morsels
Annapurna Interactive
$14.99
You’re a hungry mouse, scrounging for scraps within the sewers, whenever you meet a magical sentient fatberg who teaches you to remodel right into a mighty little Morsel. Together with your new powers, set off to harmful higher worlds the place you battle in opposition to 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. Filled with frenetic motion and character, gamers use magical playing cards to remodel 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 trustworthy: hauling round a large sword is about as impractical because it will get for an adventurer—particularly when vertical traversal is concerned. I may 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 imagine.
When you dive in, you’ll shortly notice the GigaSword’s weight is each a blessing and a curse. Fight feels simple but honest—each swing is deliberate, and that additional wind-up means you’ll have to time assaults rigorously or threat consuming harm mid-swing. Issues escalate whenever you face huge bosses that demand sample recognition and precision.
However the sword isn’t only for preventing—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? Suppose Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest meets the creative puzzle mechanics of Legend of Zelda.
The sport doesn’t pull its punches in the case of its stiff fight, however in contrast to its NES predecessors, you’ve bought save factors to protect your sanity. The sword’s weight consistently reminds you that speedrunning isn’t an possibility—however then come these moments whenever you deal with a whole dungeon with out the blade, introducing an entire new layer of problem. In case you’re a fan of intricate puzzle platformers like Animal Nicely, it is a distinctive expertise price including to your assortment.
– Raymond Estrada
GIGASWORD
Akupara Video games
$14.99
Steadiness the burden of the GIGASWORD, battling between mind and brawn on this action-puzzle metroidvania the place the would possibly of the sword will decide all. As tensions rise in Thoenhart, a metropolis affected by famine and illness, the people inside set their hopes on a remaining 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 sport! Not sufficient individuals are speaking about this one. Goodnight Universe shouldn’t be a child sim… it’s a supernaturally gifted child sim. You tackle the position and perspective of Isaac who’s a wise, keenly conscious, and succesful toddler, in a position to deal with surprisingly advanced issues. That and the telekinesis capacity, of which an evil company could be very conscious and wish to use for their very own functions.
Earlier than we even contact gameplay, the voice performing and writing are very good and charming. The narrator connects with the participant as we each witness so many performances between totally 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 via the child’s eyes in first individual. 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 it’s essential to use your powers on the proper time.
The console model lacks the eye-tracking characteristic 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. Not like 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 accredited.
– Raymond Estrada
Goodnight Universe
Skybound Video games
$19.99
From the creators of Earlier than Your Eyes. You might be 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 needs 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 presupposed to play for a couple 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.
This can be a text-based journey, so anticipate loads of studying as occasions unfold and characters communicate, adopted by dialogue selections that form your path. However it’s not all dry coverage. Past signing payments or reviewing financial experiences, 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 bought into it, it felt like studying a really 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 selection 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 manner via scandals and taking each unsavory side-deal that comes my manner. With a 6-to-7-hour marketing campaign, a number of playthroughs can simply triple your time. In case you love strategic decision-making with out twitch reflexes, that is for you—board players, I’m speaking to you!
– Raymond Estrada
Suzerain Expanded Version
Torpor Video games
$31.99
The Expanded Version contains 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 via diplomacy or pressure. 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 splash of life sim taste—suppose mild exploration, quirky character encounters, and environmental puzzles tucked into each nook. It’s a type of small-town thriller sitting someplace between Night time 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 might be trapped in a wierd 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 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 whenever you’re juggling exploration with dialogue selections—nevertheless it’s the sort that seems like easing into a brand new neighborhood. Slightly complicated at first, then unexpectedly rewarding as soon as every thing clicks into place.
What saved me hooked most was the ambiance. Rue Valley is the type 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 whenever you least anticipate it. In case you take pleasure in 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 superbly. 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
$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 in opposition to the shadows of your individual thoughts. Alongside the way in which, you’ll encounter a charming 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 character in Rue Valley. You generally is a cold-hearted loner who overthinks every thing or a melodramatic loudmouth who at all times trusts their intestine intuition.
Whether or not you replicate your true character or role-play somebody fully totally different, your character will form your dialogues and interactions within the sport.
Retailer recollections in a graph, unlocking intentions and mindsets as you progress uniquely via the story. Decide to quirky mindsets for sudden and hilarious dialogues, and expertise personality-altering Standing Results: develop into extra outgoing when drunk, or additional delicate when anxious.
Experiment with totally 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 massive Indie Selects Anniversary Celebration, full of giveaways, reductions, and loads of surprises!
