In our third week of ID@Xbox Game Fest we thought we’d highlight some of our favorite “Indie” games. Now, first of all I should say we don’t use the term “indie” very often around here since ID@Xbox is focused on the best games of all kinds from Independent Developers. But there are tons of games in our portfolio that come to mind when you think “indie games.” This week we have just a small sampling of our favorites on sale. To introduce them to you, I thought I’d reach out to a few members of the ID@Xbox team to give you some thoughts on some that they like. Here we go:

I Am Bread – “Realize how difficult it truly is to make toast of yourself as you fling yourself across various rooms with an aim to become toast in the most unconventional ways. Crazy and fun puzzle game that rewards creativity.” – Jill Conto, ID@Xbox Community Manager

Her Majesty’s SPIFFING – “Journey back to the adventure games of yesterday with Her Majesty’s Spiffing, a game that has a very British stiff upper lip, and its tongue firmly planted in its cheek. With tons of in-jokes, great achievement design and awesome puzzles, this is a very worthy adventure!” – Chris Charla, ID@Xbox Director

Sky Force Anniversary – “The legendary shoot ’em up is here to celebrate its anniversary in super-destructive style. Harnessing the intensity of classic arcade games combined with modern visuals, Sky Force Anniversary offers a stunning scrolling-shooter experience with an incredible new social gameplay element.” – Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor

Kingdom: New Lands – “Real time strategy on a one-dimensional plane (side scrolling!) turns out to be as challenging as it is fun, and it’s super fun! Awesome art and animation round out an extremely well-designed game” – Charla

Level 22 – “You’re late to work – again – and have to sneak through the office without getting caught by the boss or his minions. Really addictive puzzle/stealth game that hits a little close to home.” – Glenn Gregory, ID@Xbox Senior Product Marketing Manager

Xenoraid – “An exciting shooter with classic action and modern features. Intercept the alien threat in missions that play out differently every time, pilot skillfully to line up devastating bursts of fire, and switch between four fighters during combat to bring in the best weapons for each situation.” – Nelson

Final Station – “The zombie apocalypse is upon us and you’re facing hordes of undead coming for your brains. Sound familiar? Well, in Final Station you’re a train conductor cruising down the tracks, stopping at various locales along the way to load up with supplies that might help you keep the zombies at bay.” – Gregory

Knight Squad – “It’s really the ultimate party game or friendship destroyer. Up to eight – yes, that’s right, eight! – can play together in all kinds of different game modes, duking it out with weapons ranging from morning stars to miniguns. This is an ID team all-time favorite.” – Gregory

Slain: Back from Hell – “Take control of Bathoryn, a doomed hero in a Gothic world, who seeks to liberate six cursed realms from six deadly overlords. Battle your way through this blighted land, packed with gruesome and lethal creatures, while defeating fiendish traps and vile monsters alike. The heavy metal visuals are complimented by an even heavier metal soundtrack.” – Nelson

Knee Deep – “Enjoy a play, solve a mystery, and realize that you may never enjoy traditional stage plays again. Fantastic interactive story game that will have you curious the whole time.” – Conto

Reagan Gorbachev – “It’s 1986 and the Cold War is in full swing. But in Regan Gorbachev the two rivals have been kidnapped and must cooperate to escape. Mowing down militants as the Gipper or Gorby is surprisingly fun and a great co-op experience.” – Gregory

Westerado Double Barreled – “When your family is murdered by a mysterious desperado, you set out into the world to take revenge. Take control of your own fate and that of others, all using your trusty shooting iron.” – Nelson

Don’t Starve + Shipwrecked – “Should be called ‘Don’t Sleep’ because far too often I’ve jumped into a game for ‘just for a few minutes’ and suddenly realized it’s 3 AM. But I’ve made it 170 days, a record I challenge any of you to beat.” – Gregory

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero – “Shantae makes her return to Xbox One in Shantae: Half-Genie Hero. As a crime wave takes over Sequin Land, it falls to Shantae to save the day with her hair-whip and belly dancing attacks to defeat her enemies as well as her longtime nemesis Risky Boots!” – Nelson

Axiom Verge – “It stands one of the best-rated games on our platform for a reason – great weapons, interesting abilities, and an amazing sense of progression through the 2D, sidescrolling world. Not many games can feel retro and modern at the same time, but Axiom Verge nails it.” – Gregory

Manual Samuel – “Meet Samuel, he’s handsome, wealthy and most importantly — dead. A deal with Death gives Samuel one last chance to live again if he can survive a whole day doing everything manually.” – Nelson