All the games announced and shown via Xbox Wire

Four big indies announced coming to Xbox Game Pass day one in 2023

In 2022, Xbox was supported by a number of excellent indie games that came to Xbox Game Pass, as first-party games took a side line. This year, Xbox has already announced some big titles coming in 2023, including Hi-Fi Rush, Redfall, and Starfield. However, that does not mean that it’s given up on indies, and Xbox Wire has highlighted four upcoming games.

Here are the upcoming Xbox indie games coming to Xbox Game Pass day one, and when they will launch.

Everspace 2

The sequel to Everspace goes for something very different, shaking off its rogue-like roots, and opting for a semi-open-world RPG. There is still plenty of shipbuilding, crafting, and shooting, but now you can keep upgrading and building new gear. There are over a hundred different locations to explore, which you can jump to using a portal system. Different planets will have different ecosystems, and there are underground and even underwater places to explore.

Everspace 2 focuses on warring factions from around the galaxy, and you can get involved with the battles. It is also more story focused than the previous game with challenges, and jobs. The developers suggest that there will be over 200 hours of gameplay to explore. Everspace 2 has been in Early Access, but it will launch on PC on April 6, 2023, and will come to Xbox Series X|S and PS5 in summer 2023.

The Last Case of Benedict Fox

Benedict Fox is a detective-style Metroidvania that takes inspiration from both film noir and HP Lovecraft. There are two main settings for the story, the mansion which has a 1920s feel, and limbo which leans heavily into the supernatural. As you uncover more about the case you will gain new abilities that help you to explore more. You can do this by getting tattoos back at the mansion.

Alongside the demons that you will have to fight in limbo, there is also an organization after you and your supernatural powers. There are also boss fights that you will take on as part of your journey through the Lovecraftian world. Benedict will uncover the secrets of his past, and of his family along the way to understand the illegal experiments his father was conducting. The Last Case of Benedict Fox will launch for Xbox Series X|S and PC in spring 2023.

Planet of Lana

Taking inspiration from the Ico trilogy of games, Planet of Lana is a hand-painted 2D puzzle platformer, where you control a young girl Lana. After befriending a black cat, Mui, the two of you must navigate the surroundings and find a way to get both of you through. Both have different skills. Lana can cross water and carry things, while Mui can jump high and fit in small spaces. Like in The Last Guardian, you don’t really control Mui. Instead you call her or point her in the right direction, though she seems more complicit than Trico ever did.

There are further links to the original trilogy. The composer of The Last Guardian, Takeshi Furukawa, is also the composer for Planet of Lana. However, as the trilogy is all in 3D, the specific puzzle platforming elements reminded us more of the gameplay from Limbo. There is no set release date for Planet of Lana, but it will launch for Xbox consoles and PC in spring 2023.

Lightyear Frontier

Amplifier Studios / Flame Break

Lightyear Frontier is an interesting mix of sci-fi adventure story and farming simulator. As you land on a new planet, you can start to collect resources and build a home for yourself. There are ruins on the planet that you can explore to find out more of the game’s story, but you can take this on at your own pace. There is both a first-person and third-person perspective as you explore your new planet.

Like many farming sims, there are NPCs you can contact that will help you on your journey. There is also a trader who visits where you can buy and sell resources. Lightyear Frontier also features various kinds of multiplayer. You can start building your home with a friend (or three) from the start, or you can invite them to your planet á la Animal Crossing. It also has a cartoony, vibrant 3D art style that reminds us of Fortnite. Lightyear Frontier will launch in Early Access on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC in spring 2023.