Being an Xbox One gamer is great. Not only do we get access to a number of huge titles from big developers and publishers, but the indie scene is alive and kicking. In fact, it could be said that the indie developers working on Xbox One games are what keep things flowing so nicely.
So with that in mind the entire team here at TheXboxHub have got together to nail down our top 5 (/6) Indie Xbox One titles for 2016. What is the best indie title to have released on Xbox One in 2016? Read on, because you won’t want to be missing any of the following…
Joint 5. The Witness
The Witness will make you think: about its puzzles, its environment, but more so about how it’s better than most other games you’ve played.
When the creators of Braid get together, you just have to take notice…and The Witness more than deserves a little look.
Trial and error may not be suited to all, but in The Witness, it is this trial and error – and the numerous puzzles that it brings with it – that keep you coming back for more. There is no real story, and if we’re honest, there is no single route through, but should you press on and experience everything that it delivers, will find some hugely satisfying moments throughout.
It is, quite simply, one of the most unique and enjoyable experiences of not just 2016, but gaming overall.
Joint 5. The Turing Test
Take the test
Just. Take. The. Test. You won’t regret it.
The Turing Test on Xbox One may not bring anything completely new to our lives, it may not reinvent the wheel, content-wise or stylistically either, but as a puzzler with a brilliant story behind it, there isn’t much better.
The actual Turing Test may be getting on for 70 years old, but when you can compare something to the awesome Portal, then you know you are onto a winner.
The fact that we couldn’t split The Witness and The Turing Test for the fifth spot on our list just goes to show the immense quality of both these games.
4. Prison Architect
A long stretch!
It may have been one of the first games to make the most of the Xbox Game Preview program, but Prison Architect has seemingly come out all the better for it.
Granted, Prison Architect isn’t going to be for all. In fact, many may balk at the amount of depth that a gamer needs to go into in order to fully understand what is going on.
But should you do that, and believe me, you’ll need to be a willing participant, will find one of the best sims currently available on console. The Prison Stories mode that acts as a tutorial is great and World of Wardens is a brilliant addition that gives you a real sense of community.
It’s a fresh new concept for the sims market – and it’s bloody good to boot.
3. Superhot
A SUPERHOT shooter that delivers in mind bending spades.
When you call your game SUPERHOT, you need to make sure it lives up to its name. Thankfully, the guys at SUPERHOT Team have done just that.
In fact, SUPERHOT really is SUPERHOT.
It’s also one of the best games you can currently play on Xbox One, and whilst the price may be a little higher than those same games which accompany it in the Xbox One Indie space, this is most certainly a case of ‘you get what you pay for’.
It’s a simple concept, leaving you with nothing to worry about but clearing each stages of the red dudes which frequent it, but the use of the time slowing mechanics are unbelievably good, turning what would usually be a standard gun and runner, into something a whole lot more sophisticated.
With missions, challenges and a whole multitude of different endings in place, SUPERHOT is nothing short of SUPERHOT.
2. Inside
PLAY THIS GAME…NOW!
It quite possibly had the biggest build up for any independent title of recent years, but the unmistakable, utterly engaging Inside turned out to be a bit of a hit.
Yes, it may not be the longest game out there and once you’ve played through things will maybe struggle for any real reason to go back and take it all in again, but that first playthrough is so damn good, so damn addictive and so highly intriguing, that Inside seals any deal you were ever looking for.
Coming from the same stable that delivered us the stunning Limbo a few years back, Inside had big boots to fill. And fill them it did!
1. Rocket League
A game made to play with your friends, Rocket League offers fun, chaotic competition with endless replay value.
Any surprise that Rocket League is our favourite Xbox One indie title of 2016? Well, when it smashed away all other titles in its wake, taking home the coveted TheXboxHub Xbox One Game Of The Year 2016 award, then it was quite obvious that other titles from similar minded indie developers wouldn’t get a look in.
Without repeating myself too much, Rocket League on Xbox One is an absolute beaut…who would have thought that such a simple RC car arena battle could be so addictive? But it is, and whether you’re a single player looking to battle through the seasons, or a group of like minded friends intent on taking down the online world, Rocket League from Psyonix delivers like nothing else.
If you could only buy one game from the 2016 release library, then Rocket League should be it.
So there we have it, our Xbox One Indie Game of the Year top 5 for 2016. Do you agree? Let us know in the comments below or on our usual social channels. One thing is for sure though, should you ever be looking for a game to bring you hours of fun, all of the above will suffice.
Bring on 2017!
