Alright, Game Pass Just Pulled a Silksong-Level Stunt (and Maybe You Missed Some Other Gems)

AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·

Alright, Game Pass Just Pulled a Silksong-Level Stunt (and Maybe You Missed Some Other Gems)

Game Pass is kicking off September with a bang, dropping the massively anticipated *Hollow Knight: Silksong* as a day-one release, alongside the intriguing *Sekiro*-like Metroidvania *Nine Sols*, proving subscription services can still deliver pure magic for gamers.

Right, so for what feels like eons, we’ve all been collectively holding our breath, perched on the edge of our digital seats, wondering when the hell *Hollow Knight: Silksong* would finally grace us with its presence. Well, buckle up, buttercups, because not only is Team Cherry dropping their highly anticipated sequel on September 4th, but it's doing a day-one launch straight onto Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Bloody hell, what a move!

I’ve been tinkering with this story all morning, poring over the details that the clever chaps at Polygon first rounded up, and it’s wilder than it first appeared. This isn't just another game. This is *Silksong*. The spiritual successor to one of the most beloved Metroidvanias of all time. It’s like finding a legendary artifact in a forgotten dungeon, only to realise it’s also been polished to a blinding sheen and delivered directly to your doorstep. For free. (Well, for your Game Pass subscription, which, let's be fair, often feels like magic anyway).

For the uninitiated – though, seriously, where have you been? Under a rock made of elder bugs? – *Hollow Knight: Silksong* sees us take control of Hornet, that sassy, needle-wielding NPC from the first game who kicked our arses more than a few times. Now she’s off on her own grand adventure, navigating dense, interconnected Metroidvania levels and fending off bosses that look like they've crawled out of a particularly vivid, unsettling dream. If the first game was a masterclass in atmosphere, challenge, and exploration, then *Silksong* is poised to be an even more elaborate, intricate spell woven by Team Cherry.

And speaking of Team Cherry, there’s a brilliant little tidbit about *Silksong*'s notoriously lengthy development. Announced as a full sequel back in 2019, the time it’s taken has been a running gag in the gaming community. But it turns out, the reason for the delay was… pure, unadulterated passion. Team Cherry co-founder Ari Gibson basically admitted they got a bit carried away, like a wizard who accidentally added too many exploding runes to a simple 'light' spell. 'Everything I’m drawing here has to end up in the game,' he told Bloomberg. 'That’s a cool idea, that’s in. That’s a cool idea, that’s in.' Mate, I reckon that's the kind of dev passion we absolutely froth over, even if it does mean waiting what feels like an age. It's the optimistic chaos of creation, isn't it? Just imagine having *too much fun* making your game. What a luxury, and what a promise for the final product.

But wait, there's more! Because Game Pass isn't content with just one highly anticipated Metroidvania. Just a day before *Silksong* drops, another absolute belter is landing. *Nine Sols*, available on September 3rd with Game Pass Standard, blends that luscious Metroidvania exploration with, get this, *Sekiro*-like parrying and combat. Now, that's an intriguing concoction, isn't it? Like mixing a potion for boundless agility with a dash of precise, high-stakes combat. For those of us who appreciate a good parry system – and let's be honest, who doesn't love feeling like a total boss deflecting incoming blows? – *Nine Sols* could be the perfect palate cleanser, or even a main course, depending on your appetite for challenge.

So, what else is joining the party in the first half of September? Here’s a quick rundown of the magical new arrivals:

* **I Am Your Beast** (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X) — Sept. 2 * **Nine Sols** (Xbox Series X) – Sept. 3 * **Hollow Knight: Silksong** (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Sept. 4 * **Cataclismo** (PC) – Sept. 4 * **Paw Patrol World** (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Sept. 10 (Because, priorities, right? Fair dinkum, if you're not saving the world with Hornet, you're… uh… saving Adventure Bay with Ryder and his pups.) * **RoadCraft** (Cloud and Xbox Series X) – Sept. 16

Now, as the digital winds shift, some titles are also making their graceful exit midway through the month. It’s the circle of life for subscription services, isn’t it? Like a wizard's spell fading after a grand performance. These games are leaving Game Pass on September 16th:

* **All You Need is Help** (Cloud, Console, and PC) * **Wargroove 2** (Cloud, Console, and PC) * **We Love Katamari Reroll+ Royal Reverie** (Cloud, Console, and PC)

It’s always a bit sad to see good games go, but that's the nature of these services – they keep the library fresh, pushing you to try new things before the old ones vanish into the ether. And let's be honest, with *Silksong* and *Nine Sols* on the horizon, you'll probably be too busy exploring new worlds and parrying ancient evils to shed too many tears over a rolling ball of junk, as much as we love Katamari.

This influx of quality titles, especially the day-one drop of *Silksong*, really underscores the immense value proposition of Game Pass. It’s not just about getting access to a library of older games; it’s about being right there on the bleeding edge, experiencing some of the most anticipated releases without buying them outright. It's a game-changer, mate, and a massive win for players who love to dive deep into new worlds without breaking the bank. It also shows that big studios making surprisingly good decisions can still happen, amidst all the corporate PR speak we usually wade through.

So, prepare your thumbsticks, polish your parry reflexes, and maybe mentally prepare for a sudden urge to watch animated dog cartoons. September is shaping up to be a cracker for Game Pass subscribers, and I, for one, can't wait to see what kind of magical mischief Hornet gets up to. What happens if I try to beat *Silksong* and *Nine Sols* back-to-back? Only one way to find out, eh?

*** Source: Polygon

Tags: Game Pass, Hollow Knight Silksong, Metroidvania, Gaming News, Xbox

Original article: Polygon