This February, let the ID@Xbox team set the vibe. In this, the month of Valentine\u2019s Day, indie game developers are competing to be your next love \u2013 but don\u2019t stress, because our team of wingmen and wingwomen have handpicked six Indie Selects that can meet what anyone\u2019s heart desires. \u00a0<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for some tasty food for the soul, satisfying beats that really pop, dangerous exploits to get the heart pumping, and unbelievable deliveries that really soar, February Selects had you at hello. Here\u2019s what we\u2019ve got for you this month (in no particular order):<\/p>\n This game answers the question,\u201d What if you had to earn your meal by engaging it in a fight to the death?\u201d.\u00a0 Cuisineer<\/em> is the first food-focused action roguelite that I\u2019ve ever played and I am very much obsessed. I\u2019ve spent an embarrassing amount of time bashing cute (but hostile) creatures in its dungeons to restock my fridge back in my character\u2019s hometown. The demand for more wood, more types of stone, and various grades of meat never ends and the loop of \u201cspend a day cooking for fussy customers, then return to a dungeon, then come back and upgrade your tools, etc.\u201d is constant. It\u2019s a hustle that I\u2019m hooked on, to be honest, and Cuisineer<\/em> delivers up this cycle in a way that\u2019s both cozy and challenging.<\/p>\n Those monsters in the various dungeons aren\u2019t joking around and you\u2019ll be battling through multiple floors and bosses to get to the end of each gauntlet (though there are options to exit early). You\u2019ll also be plunking down hard-earned gold (from your restaurant\u2019s till) to upgrade your backpack and eatery capacity to continue growing and progressing through the game. It\u2019s a soothing, dopamine-hit formula that Cuisineer<\/em> does incredibly (and adorably) well, but it\u2019s not absent of difficulty and learning curve. So, think of it as equipping cutesy cat ears while prepping for a lengthy workout. Give yourself some time to onboard and you\u2019ll be harvesting fuzzy little fluffballs for \u201cfatty meat\u201d in no time. <\/p>\n XSEED Games<\/p>\n
Dive into dungeons and cook up a storm as Pom, an adventurer-turned-restaurateur! Cuisineer\u2018s food-focused action challenges you to build your dinner the hard way: by dungeon-diving for materials and ingredients. Wield your cooking utensils against giant chickens, artillery shrimps, fire-breathing peppers, and other pesky perils, sipping boba tea along the way. Work with local artisans to customize your kitchen, and tailor your dining hall to the needs of loyal patrons eager to experience the rare recipes you\u2019ve cooked up. <\/p>\n The Xbox Series X\/S and Windows Store release of Cuisineer plates its enticing gameplay with fresh ingredients like new weapons, year-round festivals, a wardrobe feature, and more tasty inclusions that are sure to spice things up.<\/p>\n A Smorgasbord of Dungeons Craft Your Own Culinary Experience Master the Flavors of Fighting Take Quests to Go Turbo Overkill<\/em> is an FPS game that invokes the spirit of \u201980s cyberpunk media and classic shooters such as Quake\u00a0<\/em>& Doom<\/em>. By modern definition, you might categorize it as a \u201cboomer shooter\u201d \u2013 a game that either IS a retro FPS or a newer title that\u2019s designed to create a similar feeling. Yes, this is a real thing, and no, we didn\u2019t make it up, but we can agree that it\u2019s fitting! As much as I love modern FPS games, I\u2019m a huge fan of the classics, and Turbo Overkill<\/em> does this subgenre justice in as many ways that it can.<\/p>\n Taking place in a futuristic, cyberpunk city called Paradise, players control a cybernetic bounty hunter by the name of Johnny Turbo who, paired with his trusty chainsaw leg and large arsenal of weapons, is set to take down rogue AI, Syn, and their augmented minions. The gameplay revolves around fighting various enemies and bosses, exploration, puzzle solving, upgrading Johnny and his weapons, and platforming. But what I love most is its pacing and combat flow. Players can leverage Johnny\u2019s chainsaw leg by crouch sliding (a staple in most modern FPS games) to not only maneuver but also take down most<\/em> enemies in one hit. Pairing this movement with jumps, air dashes and cycling through the various familiar weapons, makes the game feel like a classic arena shooter on top of its retro heritage.<\/p>\n In homage to the classics, Turbo Overkill <\/em>\u00a0features a single player campaign with several difficulties to choose from, secret levels to find, and unlockables to keep you busy. There\u2019s also two additional modes, Endless Mode <\/em>and Arcade Mode<\/em>, both of which add a medal and scoring system for additional replayability. If you\u2019re a fan of FPS games, whether modern or classic, then you must check this one out!<\/p>\n Apogee Entertainment<\/p>\n
Johnny returns to his hometown of Paradise and finds its entire population possessed by Syn, a rogue AI, and its army of augmented minions. Desperate for enough money to outrun his past mistakes, Johnny takes on the impossible job of destroying the greatest AI ever created. Rival bounty hunters want to claim the prize first. Nothing is easy in paradise.<\/p>\n TURBO TIME, WALL-RUNNING, DASHING AND GRAPPLING HOOKS, OH MY Race through two dozen stages packed with secrets, bonus arena stages, and white-knuckle combat puzzles. Find game-changing collectibles to unlock punishing modifiers like triple-monster-speed and insta-kill. Combine all of Johnny\u2019s weapons and powers to outsmart, outgun and outrun the corrupted legions.\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Tails of Iron 2<\/em> is a gritty and challenging 2D action-RPG that mixes Soulslike combat with Metroidvania elements. I\u2019ve been interested in this series since the first entry, but I never picked it up \u2013 my backlog is infinite! After playing this one though, I feel like I owe it to myself to try it out! It helps that, while the new story shares the same world, the sequel features a new protagonist, Arlo meaning you don\u2019t need to play its predecessor to catch up. As the heir to the Warden of the Wastes, Arlo must avenge his father\u2019s death, taking on threats like the merciless Dark Wing Bats and other creatures as he fights to restore his homeland. Oh\u2026 and Arlo\u2019s a rat.<\/p>\n I won\u2019t get too deep into the gore, but all I\u2019ll say is, don\u2019t let this game\u2019s storybook-like appearance fool you \u2013 the themes in this game are grim. The hand-drawn visuals remind me of a hidden gem you\u2019d find digging through the Xbox Live Arcade library, in all the best ways. It has that nostalgic charm that makes it feel familiar, yet ultimately fresh and unique. And the world? Absolutely awesome. Viking themes aren\u2019t new, but Viking rats? They\u2019re adorable, and at the same time, so metal.<\/p>\n After spending hours fighting bosses, I can confirm this game is challenging. You\u2019ll have to backtrack, platform, upgrade your gear, and parry and roll\u2026 a lot. You\u2019ll need patience, and if you\u2019re anything like me, you\u2019ll probably die more than you survive\u2014unless you switch to Fairy Tale mode, where enemies have less health and do less damage.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a fan of Metroidvanias, Soulslikes, or just really love the idea of rats in Viking armor, I recommend giving this a shot. Oh, and they got Doug Cockle (Geralt from The Witcher game series) to narrate the story, which only adds to the appeal.<\/p>\n United Label<\/p>\n
As Arlo, young heir to the Warden of the Wastes, journey through the vast, snow-ravaged lands of the North in an epic quest to overcome the Dark Wings once and for all. Hunt down giant beasts. Unite disparate clans. Upgrade your settlement. And discover a terrible secret of blood and crown\u2026 <\/p>\n The time for heroes is over. For the Kingdom needs a warrior; forged of the North and as cold as the snow that shrouds these lands. A rat\u2026 carved from iron. <\/p>\n And so, a new tail begins.<\/p>\n Explore a Vast, Wintry Kingdom Hunt down Giant Beasts Master Brutal Combat Customise your Attack Upgrade your Settlement Unleash All-New Sorceries Rhythm games are back, baby! Robobeat<\/em> is (deep breath) an innovative, fast-paced, futuristic, roguelite rhythm boomer shooter.\u00a0 To say this game is in a league of its own is putting it mildly.\u00a0 There are not many games that combine slick combat mechanics with music-centric gameplay in procedurally generated environments, and I would say even fewer that do it well. You play as Ace, a famous bounty hunter, chasing after an eccentric cyborg named Frazzer.\u00a0 However, in order to stop Frazzer in his tracks, you\u2019ll have to make your way through his distorted techno playground, which is comprised of five randomly generated \u201cpathways\u201d where you will need to shoot, wall-run, slide and bunny hop, all in sync with the beat of the soundtrack.\u00a0<\/p>\n The most unique part of Robobeat<\/em>, and probably my favorite part, is the ability to change songs as you play. Switching between energetic metal, jazz-like grooves, and frantic EDM allows you to set the pace of your run. Sometimes a slower pace is needed in order to get the hang of the next stage. The enemies become tougher and the hordes become more intense the further you go, and throughout your runs you\u2019ll collect blueprints that can be unlocked using currency \u2013 however if you die before cashing in your blueprints, you\u2019ll have to reacquire them.\u00a0 Once a weapon or ability is unlocked, it can appear in any future run.<\/p>\n![\"Indie](\"https:\/\/pub-f354ec240bea480db7320bd0e29d972e.r2.dev\/sites\/2\/2025\/02\/February2025_Selects_Horizontal-ea837d07ad70c5eb19db.jpg\")
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\n\t\tUpon receiving a startling letter from her parents, the independent adventurer Pom swiftly returns home to Paell, only to find her parents gone and their beloved restaurant abandoned. Now left with mounting debts and a village in dire need of some fine cooking, Pom will have to delve into the deepest dungeons for the scarcest spices, rarest meats, and the most valuable vegetables she can find to keep her parents\u2019 dream alive.<\/p>\n
\nExplore procedurally generated biomes such as the Green Ruins, Frozen Fjord, and Konpeito Swamps that change their size, shape, and resources every time you visit.<\/p>\n
\nCook over 100 different recipes from around the world, from crunchy Popiah rolls to rich Kaya jam, from double-fried crispy chicken with zesty lemon, to sweet treats piled high with berries. Get the right dishes to the right customers and customize your kitchen and dining hall with the help of local artisans.<\/p>\n
\nKnock out monsters and rivals with Salty, Sour, Sweet, Bitter, Umami, Frosty and Toasty powers that unleash flame, poison, chain lightning, and other fantastic effects. You can also fight with unique utensils and gourmet gear, like Spatula, Smackerel, Swordfish, and the newly added Konpeito Fist weapons! <\/p>\n
\nFrom Naicha the Bubble Tea seller to Alder the big friendly carpenter, Paell is full of sweet and spicy townsfolk to befriend. While you\u2019re dungeon diving, be on the lookout for items the townsfolk need. You\u2019ll be rewarded with gold, new items, and even more recipes to take your cooking and adventuring to new heights.\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Turbo](\"https:\/\/pub-f354ec240bea480db7320bd0e29d972e.r2.dev\/sites\/2\/2025\/02\/Turbo-8c5c68a4f291faf2360e.jpg\")
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\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\nTurbo Overkill<\/h2>\n
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\n\t\tTurbo Overkill is the most savage FPS ever released by Apogee. You play as Johnny Turbo, augmented with hidden arm rockets and a chainsaw that extends from your lower leg allowing you to slide-slice enemies wide open.<\/p>\n
\nTurbo Overkill takes over-the-top to never-before-reached heights. Activate Turbo Time(\u2122), a new form of slow motion with a twist. Build incredible speed by wall-running and dashing. Slide on your chainsaw leg, eviscerating foes and opening up bosses for critical damage, and go car-surfing on the hoods of flying cars. Blast away with the Twin Magnums, which lock-on and instagib several foes, the Boomer Shotgun and its attached grenade launcher, or the Telefragger sniper rifle, which teleports Johnny inside an enemy before they explode from within.<\/p>\n![\"Tails](\"https:\/\/pub-f354ec240bea480db7320bd0e29d972e.r2.dev\/sites\/2\/2025\/02\/Tails-of-Iron-2-e2265190785a40d8ca38.jpg\")
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\n\t\tJust as the Rats of the South start to piece their lives together, following the great war between Rodent and Frog, an old and unspeakable evil stirs in the North; wings black as death; fangs sharp as steel; and a thirst for blood rivalled only by their insatiable hunger\u2026 for vengeance. <\/p>\n
\nFully narrated by RPG-legend, Doug Cockle, prepare to embark on an epic adventure across the northern realms of the Ratdom; an expansive, frost-bitten land on the brink of all-out war. <\/p>\n
\nTrack down and defeat the legendary monsters of this realm, and be rewarded with rare resources with which to craft devastating equipment. But be warned, these colossal creatures won\u2019t go down without a fight\u2026 and then some. <\/p>\n
\nThe lands of the North are a perilous place, so you\u2019ll need to master the fast, challenging combat for any chance of survival. Evade attacks with a dodge roll, nail split-second parry bashes, and unleash an array of gruesome executions.<\/p>\n
\nCraft your own extensive arsenal of upgradeable weaponry, ready to fight as you see fit; strike quick with a spear, afar with a bow, or go claw-to-claw with a heavy-hitting mace. Alternativity, gain a tactical advantage with a range of new, deadly traps\u2026<\/p>\n
\nAs Warden of the Wastes, defending your lands is only half the battle. Construct and upgrade your settlement with hard-earned gold to gain access to more powerful items from the Smithy, tastier meals at the Kitchen, a wider range of powerful traps from the shoppe, and more!<\/p>\n
\nUnlock the devastating \u2018Elementa\u2019 sorceries of Electric, Poison, Fire, and Ice in an all-new magic system. Bestowed upon you by the gods themselves, these arena-devastating powers can quickly turn the tides in battles.\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Robobeat](\"https:\/\/pub-f354ec240bea480db7320bd0e29d972e.r2.dev\/sites\/2\/2025\/02\/Robobeat-3b0f4d813d8e5a8f2ad0.jpg\")
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