If you’ve got an Xbox Series X and you’re not yet playing indie games, you really should be. Indies in 2025 are more than just “cute little side games.”
They’re smarter, deeper, and more fun than their big-budget counterparts. And they’re cheaper – which is always a good thing! Below are the top indie games to check out this year.
Each one brings something different – some will mess with your head, others will just put a smile on your face (or make you scream a little).
TIP: You can also run a VPN on your Xbox Series X so you can access global game libraries in order to play more indie games from various countries that might not be accessible through your region.
Here is some more info on how to do that.
Let’s dive right in!
1. Cocoon: A Puzzle Game That Feels Like a Dream
Cocoon throws you into a weird alien world where you jump between dimensions – literally. You carry little glowing orbs on your back, each one a world unto itself.
Yeah, it’s wild. You’ll need to figure out how to navigate those orbs to solve the puzzles. It’s like solving a Rubik’s cube inside a dream.
What makes Cocoon so cool is its smoothness. No dialogue, no long tutorials. You just start playing, and the game teaches you everything naturally. If you liked Inside or Limbo, you’ll see where Cocoon comes from, and it’s just as clever.
Don’t rush through this one. Cocoon rewards players who slow down and think through each step!
2. Cult of the Lamb: Cute, Creepy and Addictive
Imagine Animal Crossing and The Binding of Isaac having a baby, and you’ve got Cult of the Lamb.
You play as a cartoon lamb starting a cult (yup), recruiting adorable followers and building a base, then you go on dungeon runs, fight off monsters and manage your cult like a tiny, fluffy overlord.
Even if you’ve played this one before, we recommend playing it again on Xbox Series X!
3. Dredge: A Fishing Game… But Haunted
Dredge starts off simple: you’re a fisherman with a little boat, catching fish and upgrading your gear.
Then things get weird. You start pulling up strange creatures from the water. The townspeople begin acting off. And at night?
Don’t stay out too long after dark. This game is spooky without being full-on horror. It builds tension slowly.
4. Sea of Stars – A Love Letter to Classic RPGs
If you miss the old-school RPG days – think Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy VI – Sea of Stars will feel like coming home.
It’s got turn-based combat, a beautiful pixel-art world, and a story that actually makes you care.
You play as two kids training to become Solstice Warriors. Along the way, you fight monsters, solve puzzles, and sail between islands.
The writing is sharp, the characters are likable, and the music is so good (part of it was composed by the guy behind Chrono Trigger’s soundtrack).
Stat: Over 250,000 players finished the full game within the first month of release. That’s high for an RPG this size.
5. Cuphead – Old School, All Challenge
Okay, this one’s been out a while, but if you haven’t played Cuphead on Xbox Series X, you’re missing out.
The game looks like a 1930s cartoon, but don’t let that fool you – it’s one of the toughest games you’ll ever play.
You run, shoot, and dodge through intense boss fights. Every enemy has a pattern to learn, and every level feels like a mini masterpiece.
The Delicious Last Course DLC added even more crazy bosses and one of the best new characters, Ms. Chalice.
Tip: Play it co-op if you can. It’s still hard, but it’s way more fun yelling at your friend instead of the screen.
Quick Comparison: Which One’s Right for You?
| Game | Genre | Vibe | Difficulty | Playtime |
| Cocoon | Puzzle/Adventure | Mysterious, brainy | Medium | ~6-8 hours |
| Cult of the Lamb | Roguelike/Base Builder | Cute but dark | Medium | ~15-20 hours |
| Dredge | Horror/Fishing | Slow, eerie | Easy-Med | ~10-12 hours |
| Sea of Stars | RPG | Classic, emotional | Medium | ~25-30 hours |
| Cuphead | Action/Platformer | Fast, frustrating | Hard | ~10-15 hours |
Final Thoughts: Why We Chose These 5 Games
Indie games achieve pure entertaining value without the costly visual effects or large financial investments.
They remind us that innovative concepts, together with well-designed details, keep delivering the most impact.
Escape the routine shooter experience by choosing fresh gameplay options.
Our recommendation starts with Sea of Stars for enduring gameplay, but Cocoon delivers the most challenging experience.
One last tip? Don’t sleep on indies. The most thrilling gaming experiences frequently emerge from tiny independent studios.
More curated lists of on IndieGameBundles:
- GOG: 50+FREE classic games you can download right now
- Top 10 Free Horror Games
- Top 10 Free Weird Adventure Games on Steam
- Top 10 Best Free MMORPGs to Play
Want more free PC games? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Steam to get a notification of future free game giveaways.
To see what other free games we wrote about, check out the Freebies category.
