While Xbox Game Pass wields many benefits, perhaps the most obvious is that players get exposure to more games they may not have otherwise given a shot. From smaller projects like DrinkBox Studios' Nobody Saves the World to AAA titans like Halo Infinite, the platform has allowed gamers who have migrated from Nintendo, Sony, or PC systems to enjoy exclusives available in Microsoft's ecosystem. One such title is As Dusk Falls, a choice-based drama set in a small town in Arizona.
While As Dusk Falls is successful regardless of its accessibility, its day-one launch on Game Pass helped it find an audience in a year stacking with exciting releases. Developed by Interior Night, a London-based studio made up of veterans from Quantic Dream, As Dusk Falls is a stellar example of the innovation that can come from smaller companies. It further adds to the quantity of great games on Game Pass, and shows how important the service can be to both users and indie developers.
As Dusk Falls is Interactive Gaming at its Best
Following in the footsteps of games like Telltale's The Walking Dead and Heavy Rain, As Dusk Falls puts its story at the forefront, and provokes players to make choices that alter the course of the narrative. Other games have done so before, but few have leaned on the format quite as heavily as As Dusk Falls. The game puts players in the shoes of characters like Jay Holt, the youngest and most impressionable of the Holt Boys, and Vince Walker, a father passing through the town with his family to start a new life in St. Louis, Missouri.
Across its six chapters, As Dusk Falls can go in any number of directions, and it keeps players guessing despite some inconsistent pacing and a peculiar art style. Voice acting is decent and the inclusion of a multiplayer mode does well to make each of the choices more of a collaborative project. Finding a way to bring friends into the festivities is simple, and as Game Pass continues to showcase more indie titles, As Dusk Falls has enjoyed some popularity.
Game Pass is Perfect for Indies
As Dusk Falls is made by such a small team that it's unlikely it could have garnered the audience AAA titles enjoy on its own. However, its inclusion on Game Pass during a relatively slow summer season did well to bring it to eyes that otherwise wouldn't have paid attention. The same could be said for titles like Tunic, and Trek to Yomi that have also enjoyed success on the platform.
The Nintendo Switch is often considered the best system for independent projects, with regular Indie World Showcases dotted around the calendar. This is still true, but the cost of each title can add up, so the cheaper availability of Game Pass and its range of games on offer makes it more enticing for fans who want to find innovation in the indie space. Like PlayStation Plus, Game Pass can bring attention to games that are in need of it, and while titles like Baba is You or Return of the Obra Dinn found audiences before Game Pass hit its stride, their inclusion on the Xbox subscription service would have helped massively. As Dusk Falls gets to enjoy the benefits of the platform, and its diverging story is undoubtedly a bigger success because of it.
As Dusk Falls is available now for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.