While We All Age Waiting for Silksong, Xbox Game Pass Drops a Sly Metroidvania That Might Just Hit the Spot
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
With *Hollow Knight: Silksong* still an elusive dream for September 2025 (and a premium Game Pass tier), Xbox Game Pass Standard has just added *Nine Sols*, a stunning hand-drawn Metroidvania that offers a *Sekiro*-style parry system and might just be the perfect game to soothe our collective waiting pains.
Right, so we've all been collectively tapping our feet, checking our calendars, and occasionally just staring blankly into the middle distance, haven't we? Yeah, I'm talking about *Hollow Knight: Silksong*. That game has become less a release and more a cosmic phenomenon, promising to arrive eventually, perhaps after the heat death of the universe or maybe just after I finally master the art of making sourdough. And let's be fair, the latest whisper on the wind suggests it's aiming for September 2025 – a whole year from now, and then only for Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscribers at launch. Bloody hell, that's a long wait for even the most patient digital wizards among us.
But just when our collective 'Silksanity' was reaching peak levels, the digital currents of Xbox Game Pass have shifted, and wouldn't you know it, something genuinely interesting has popped up on the Standard tier: a little gem called *Nine Sols*. Now, before you start yelling 'It's not Silksong!' at your screen, hear me out, mate. While it's certainly not a like-for-like clone (and honestly, who'd want that?), *Nine Sols* shares enough intriguing DNA with our elusive bug knight's adventure that it just might be the perfect balm for the weary soul.
First off, let's talk about the big picture: *Nine Sols* arriving on Game Pass Standard. This is the first Standard-only addition since late August, which is a neat trick by Microsoft, offering something cool to those who aren't on the top-tier subscription. It debuted on Xbox Game Pass (for PC and Ultimate) back in November 2024, but bringing it to Standard now is a clever move, expanding its reach right when anticipation for other titles is peaking. It's almost like a cheeky little 'here's something shiny to play with while you wait for the main event' gesture from the gaming gods.
Now, about *Nine Sols* itself. Developed by RedCandleGames, it's a 2D, side-scrolling Metroidvania with gorgeous, hand-drawn visuals – a bit like if a classic animated film decided to become a punishingly precise video game. Sound familiar? Exactly. You've got your ability-gated progression, your lush, interconnected world begging to be explored, and yep, those delightful 'corpse run' mechanics that give you that heart-sinking moment when you die, only to realise you've got to trek back to retrieve your lost goodies. It's a formula that *Hollow Knight* absolutely mastered, and *Nine Sols* seems to be playing in a very similar, albeit distinctly flavoured, sandbox.
But here's where the magic diverges, and honestly, where *Nine Sols* carves its own rather glorious path. While *Hollow Knight* leans heavily into precision platforming and strategic tool use to dance around an ever-rotating roster of bosses, *Nine Sols* opts for a combat system that whispers (or rather, screams) *Sekiro*. We're talking about a parry system so central, so impactful, that it becomes your absolute bread and butter. Nearly every enemy attack, even from the biggest, baddest bosses, can be parried. Master this, and you're not just surviving; you're orchestrating a ballet of deflection and aggression, turning enemy might into your own power fantasy. It's a different rhythm, a different kind of challenge, but one that promises deep satisfaction for those willing to commit.
From a player's perspective, this is a win-win, isn't it? We've all seen the marketing speak for 'revolutionary' games that turn out to be minor updates with extra microtransactions. But here, we've got a genuinely compelling, critically acclaimed title dropping onto a more accessible tier of Game Pass. It's the kind of unexpected gem that reminds you why you love this service – the chance to stumble upon something brilliant you might have otherwise missed. It scratches that Metroidvania itch, it's visually stunning, and it offers a distinct combat loop that encourages mastery. It’s not *just* a placeholder; it’s a legitimate, exciting game in its own right.
So, while we continue our eternal vigil for the actual arrival of *Silksong* (seriously, Team Cherry, blink twice if you're okay), *Nine Sols* stands ready as a more-than-worthy adventure to dive into. It's available on Xbox Game Pass Standard right now, and historically, these licensing deals last at least a year, so you've got plenty of time to get good at parrying your way through its world. It's a proper bloody treat, and a good reminder that even when the universe seems to be conspiring to keep our most anticipated games just out of reach, there are always other worlds to explore.
Oh, and speaking of other worlds, September's Game Pass lineup isn't just about *Nine Sols*. We've got *Cataclismo* dropping on September 4th (alongside *Silksong*, supposedly), *PAW Patrol World* returning on the 10th (for the younger digital wizards, perhaps?), and *Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor* later in the month. Always something brewing in the cauldron, eh?
Source: Game Rant, found
Tags: Xbox Game Pass, Nine Sols, Metroidvania, Silksong, Indie Games
Original article: Game Rant