Why Crypt Custodian Is the Indie Game You Can’t Miss on Xbox Game Pass!

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The current Xbox Game Pass lineup is at its peak, and the recent June reveal has only made it better. Titles such as “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” and “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered” will be accompanied by “The Division 2”, “S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2”, and “Metaphor: ReFantazio”. However, there’s one game I’m eager to play more than any other. Towards the bottom of the June announcement is an indie game that I can’t wait for – “Crypt Custodian”.

Crypt Custodian

Description: This is a captivating top-down Metroidvania game, set in an afterlife backdrop. The protagonist of the story is a mischievous black cat named Pluto, who, despite his past misdeeds during nine lives, finds himself with an eternity of cleaning duties.

In this adventure, Pluto will traverse through the expansive underworld, making friends with other wayward spirits, solving puzzles, battling monstrous creatures, and concocting a plan to break into the palace. The game was developed by a single developer who has previously worked on projects like Islets and Sheepo, giving it an unusual yet entertaining feel that has piqued my interest more than any other Game Pass title.

Xbox Game Pass Games For June Are Headlined By Metaphor

The Atlus Title Swept At The Game Awards In 2024

It’s important to note that the inclusion of “Metaphor: ReFantazio” in Xbox Game Pass isn’t something to overlook. This JRPG from Studio Zero and Atlus has earned its popularity for good reason. “Metaphor” is a contemporary JRPG set in a high fantasy world, offering an engaging storyline that guides players through a Royal Tournament, aiming to claim the throne on behalf of a cursed prince. The game delves into themes of discrimination, questioning whether a utopia can truly exist in a flawed society.

Adventurers embark on a journey through the diverse realm of Euchronia, encountering various fantasy species along the way. As they delve into dungeons and forge bonds with their party comrades, each contributing distinct abilities to the group during battles. The gameplay style, reminiscent of previous Atlus titles, offers a unique blend of turn-based and real-time combat mechanisms, ensuring an engaging experience.

Upon its release, Metaphor garnered widespread acclaim, with critics praising it. For instance, Ebaster awarded it a 9/10 score, Metacritic gave it an average of 94/100 (for the PC version), and OpenCritic averaged it at 93.

The acclaim for Metaphor was unanimous, with reviewers lauding its gameplay, story, worldbuilding, and art. Although it didn’t secure the title of Game of the Year in 2024, Metaphor did bag the Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, and Best Role-Playing Game at The Game Awards. This widespread admiration positions Metaphor as one of the most anticipated games to join Game Pass this year, a title it truly deserves. However, my attention is currently drawn towards an indie game scheduled for release on Game Pass in June that caught my eye instead.

I’m Way More Excited For Crypt Custodian

Ghostly Janitor Duties Combined With Fast-Paced Combat

The Crypt Custodian hasn’t quite stolen my heart like a universally adored RPG, but the idea of playing as a mischievous cat with cleaning duties in the afterlife is equally intriguing. With its addition to Xbox Game Pass later in June, it seems like an ideal moment to give it a try. This 2024 metroidvania was developed single-handedly by Kyle Thompson and boasts a highly favorable review consensus on Steam. From its art style and character dialogues, it appears to be a delightfully fun journey through the afterlife.

In the afterlife, a mischievous cat named Pluto, who was once known as the Crypt Custodian during his life, finds himself serving an eternity as a sort of spectral janitor. Feeling unfairly treated in the afterlife, Pluto teams up with other janitors and outcast ghosts to orchestrate a rebellion, aiming to storm the underworld palace and alter their unending fates. Players embark on this journey across the afterlife, cleaning up messes, solving puzzles, and enhancing Pluto’s skills, which can be customized to suit different play styles.

Similar to other Metroidvania games, Crypt Custodian places greater emphasis on environmental exploration rather than following a straight narrative path. Additionally, this game stands out with its visually and auditorily pleasing qualities. The artwork and character designs are stunningly beautiful, but the sound design really sets it apart. Eric Thompson’s music score is both contemplative and introspective, yet it also includes energetic tracks for boss battles. Designed to immerse players in an exploration of the afterlife, the music perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere, creating a poignantly nostalgic adventure experience.

Why You Should Check Out Crypt Custodian

Supporting Indie Developers Is As Easy As A Download

With a multitude of games available on Xbox Game Pass, the latest collection in June has offered tough contenders for gamers’ attention. Well-known titles such as “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33”, “DOOM: The Dark Ages”, and an extensive library of “Call of Duty” games can easily overshadow smaller independent titles. However, one of the advantages of Game Pass is that subscribers can experiment with any game without worrying about strings attached or any hassle. Instead of carefully choosing what to purchase and test out, Game Pass offers a fantastic platform to explore something fresh every chance we get.

For those who haven’t yet developed a fondness for games such as Hollow Knight, an indie metroidvania might initially seem uninteresting, and the very name of the genre can be confusing and slightly daunting to beginners. Nevertheless, the allure of Crypt Custodian’s ambiance and gameplay could make it a title worth exploring, even for novices in this genre.

Based on what I’ve heard, just the soundtrack itself makes the game, Crypt Custodian, worth downloading. Trying out an appealing title such as this, due for release later this month, is a fantastic opportunity to experiment with something new while also getting the most value for your subscription fee. Additionally, fitting in games like these into a busy schedule is easier compared to focusing solely on major releases, since you can typically finish several excellent indie games within the time it takes to complete just one open-world RPG.

Xbox Game Pass offers its subscribers a fantastic opportunity to explore new gaming experiences, so instead of rushing off to download ‘Metaphor: ReFantazio’, you might want to spare some moments for a creatively crafted game featuring a spectral janitor cat. If independent games keep capturing the limelight on Game Pass, it could pave the way for an even more varied assortment of diverse games in the future. Dabbling with ‘Crypt Custodian’ this coming June is an excellent choice to encourage indie developers and perhaps uncover a fresh favorite genre.

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2025-05-22 09:54