Xbox's Massive 40+ Free Download Event Has Some Absolute Bangers

Xbox’s Indie Selects Demo Fest is officially underway, granting Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One users access to over 40 exciting free demos.

I adore these events; so many of my favourite indie games are ones I had no idea existed until I stumbled across a random demo.

The Demo Fest is running for the entirety of September giving you plenty of time to sample a wide array of titles - and no, you don’t need a Game Pass subscription.

I heartily recommend you have a peruse to find a couple of titles that suit your tastes.

I’m going to highlight a series of games, though, that I personally believe are worth your time from across a variety of genres.

A Pizza Delivery is a charming upcoming narrative exploration game with puzzle elements from developer Eric Osuna.

You’ll play as B, a pizza delivery rider, during her final order of the day.

It’s an order that’ll take B through strange landscapes, with sudden shifts in scenery providing unexpected quiet moments of introspection.

B must uncover the secrets of this shifting reality in what’s described as a meditative experience; sounds like the perfect tonic after a busy day or work week.

Gloomy Eyes is one for the cosy horror fans amongst you. There’s a Little Nightmares feel about it.

This one’s developed by Fishing Cactus and sees you control two characters on a quest to bring back daylight.

One is a zombie and one is a human girl, with the concept of the game inspired by the works of Tim Burton. It looks fantastic.

Deck of Haunts is a title that’s already generated a ton of hype.

Developed by Mantis Games, this is a roguelite deckbuilder set within a “malevolent haunted house”.

You’ll want to lure humans into cursed halls, manipulating their fears, essentially creating an inescapable nightmare. Perfect for the upcoming spooky season then.

Mina The Hollower is available to try from Yacht Club Games.

This is an action platformer set within a gorgeous pixel world where Mina will seek to rescue a cursed island, from the studio that brought you Shovel Knight.

For the cosy fans amongst you, Adventures of a Cat in Space looks wholesome and relaxing.

From Tall Story Games comes a light-hearted point-and-click adventure where a cat is accidentally launched into space and tasked with finding its way back home.

The demo covers the entire first chapter of the game.

Ghost Creative Studio’s Beacon of Neyda is one I hadn’t heard of before, but it looks brilliant.

Part strategy title, part action game, you’ll step into a world where “rusty ones” roam.

Their revolution has reportedly failed, but they still dictate the ruined world they’ve created.

Players will have to build and defend a base. Do check out the art style for this one.

I’ll finish up with Echoes of the Plum Grove from indie.io.

Is there such a thing as too many cute farming sims? Probably, but Echoes of the Plum Grove looks lovely and I’d like to try it.

After washing up on the shores of Honeywood, players will build a farm where their choices will have consequences for not just the town and its inhabitants, but the entire island of Honeywood.

As I said, there’s plenty more on offer so do take a look at the full selection while the event is on.