Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Adds Critically Acclaimed Day-One Game

Summary

Xbox Game Pass Ultimatehas addedNine Solsto its content library. This day-one release marks the eighth new title to join Microsoft’s subscription service in November, as well as the 131st addition toXbox Game Passsince the start of 2024.

Developed by Taiwanese studio Red Candle Games,Nine Solsis a colorful 2D metroidvania that was originally released for Windows and macOS machines in late May 2024. Theexistence of console versions ofNine Solswas then leakedin mid-August, with an official announcement following six weeks later.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

The critically acclaimed title landed on the Nintendo Switch and the latest two generations of Xbox and PlayStation consoles on Tuesday, November 26. Much like Microsoft promised back in September, this new version ofNine Solsdebuted as a day-one Xbox Game Pass release. PC Game Pass users can now also play it as part of their subscriptions, while XGP Ultimate members are even able to stream it via Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Nine Solsjoins the likes ofHollow Knight: Voidheart Edition,SteamWorld Dig 2, andBloodstained: Ritual of the Nightin bolstering the selection of well-received metroidvanias on Xbox Game Pass. Its high level of acclaim is reflected in its “Mighty” rating on OpenCritic, derived from an average score of 85 and a near-perfect 96% reviewer recommendation rate. The game also boasts “Overwhelmingly Positive” user reviews on Steam, based on over 15,000 impressions, with many players praising its parry-focused,Sekiro-inspired combat and memorable taopunk setting. Its strong receptionmade the lack ofNine Solsnominations at TGA 2024 a surprising disappointmentfor indie game fans.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Cloud, PC, Series X/S

Day-one release.

TGA 2024 snub aside,Nine Solsis widely touted as one of thebest indie sci-fi metroidvanias ever made, so anyone who enjoys this classic genre is likely to find it very much worth their time. Microsoft’s release track record indicates thatNine Solsis likely to be available on Xbox Game Pass for at least a year.

The popular metroidvania is the penultimate title in the Xbox Game Pass November 2024 lineup. This month’s XGP roster will be concluded byAliens: Dark Descent, which is scheduled to reach the service on November 27. Nine titles are then set to leave Xbox Game Pass three days later, including cozy farming life simCoral Islandand sci-fi ARPGRemnant: From the Ashes. Microsoft is expected to announce the next wave of XGP releases, which will includeIndiana Jones and the Great Circle, in early December 2024.