Xbox Game Pass Standard has added Nine Sols to its ever-expanding content catalog. This is the first Standard tier-only addition to Xbox Game Pass since August 20.
In terms of fan fervor, Hollow Knight: Silksong is shaping up to be the most anticipated Xbox Game Pass release for September 2025. However, being a day-one title, it won't be available on the Standard tier at launch. Access will require an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscription once the game materializes on September 4.
In the meantime, the Xbox Game Pass Standard library has expanded to include Nine Sols earlier today, September 3. While not a like‑for‑like replacement for Silksong, Nine Sols and Hollow Knight share enough DNA that the former may well soothe the wait for the latter. Both are side-scrolling metroidvanias featuring ability-gated progression, hand-drawn visuals, and "corpse run" mechanics that challenge players upon death, ultimately appealing to similar gameplay sensibilities.
Where they differ is in their core combat philosophy: Hollow Knight is built around precision platforming and spacing, encouraging players to experiment with as many tools as possible due to the varied and ever-rotating influx of bosses. Conversely, Nine Sols...
