As a long-time Xbox fan, I eagerly await the monthly game announcements to see what new titles I should add to my library. Microsoft delivered plenty of goodness in the September 2022 updates for Xbox Game Pass and Games with Gold. Allow me to be your guide through everything coming and going!
Game Pass Adds Some Exciting Selects
Xbox Game Pass continues to impress by adding eight new day one titles and access to EA‘s full catalog of games via the EA Play partnership. Based on name recognition alone, Disney Dreamlight Valley, Train Sim World 3 and Slime Rancher 2 will likely attract the most attention from Game Pass‘ 25 million subscribers:
| Title | Genre | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Disney Dreamlight Valley | Life sim | Sept 6 |
| Train Sim World 3 | Simulation | Sept 6 |
| Slime Rancher 2 | Adventure | Sept 22 |
However, looking at review scores shows high quality across most new additions:
- Outer Wilds (Sept 15) – Metacritic Score: 85
- Hardspace: Shipbreaker (Sept 20) – Steam: Overwhelmingly Positive
- Moonscars (Sept 27) – Steam: Very Positive
With so many awesome picks joining, the end of August stings a bit harsher as Game Pass loses 12 titles, including favorites like Hades, Myst and Twelve Minutes. Hopefully subscribers found time to enjoy those gems before they departed!
Overall though, Game Pass continues its hot streak. According to Singapore University researchers, the service packs an incredible amount of value. Based on typical game pricing, they calculate the Game Pass library currently provides over $6,500 worth of entertainment! As both a deal hunter and game hoarder, I fully endorse related statistics.
Games with Gold Offers An Eclectic Lineup
Meanwhile, Xbox Live Gold members receive four free games in September care of the long-running Games with Gold program. The selections embrace diversity, spanning various generations, genres and moods:
- Gods Will Fall (Sept 1-30) – Hardcore action against sinister deities
- Double Kick Heroes (Sept 16-Oct 15) – Heavy metal zombie blaster
- Thrillville (Sept 1-15) – Family-friendly theme park fun
- Portal 2 (Sept 16-30) – Legendary puzzle platformer
Gods Will Fall seems best suited for the hardcore Xbox crowd with its brutal combat difficulty. portal 2 occupying ENDING 360 game slot.Meanwhile, Thrillville and Double Kick Heroes offer lighter escapism the whole household can enjoy.
Interestingly, Portal 2 represents the final Xbox 360 game that will ever be offered via Games with Gold. Let‘s pour one out to commemorate over a great decade of last-gen freebies since the program began in 2013.
Microsoft reasoned the service exhausted viable options – which seems fair given recent repeat titles. And any previously claimed Xbox 360 games remain available in subscribers‘ libraries after the change. However, I do hope Microsoft finds a way to keep legacy Xbox content flowing into monthly offerings – maybe with a greatest hits lineup or original Xbox vault spotlight.
Reviewing value, two Xbox One games at $20 each plus Portal 2 means about $60 worth of free games for Gold members in September. Not too shabby at all!
The Road Ahead Looks Bright for Xbox Gamers
As we gear up for both Xbox and major game releases this holiday season, Microsoft‘s gaming services provide compelling value no matter your platform of choice – console, PC or cloud streaming.
General Manager of Gaming Services Ben Decker aims even higher: "Looking ahead, we will continue to bring Xbox Game Pass to more players on more devices, along with investing in new content and launching new services…"
Having followed Xbox for 20 years now (wow I‘m old), the innovation continues to accelerate at a stunning pace. And services like Game Pass and Games with Gold drive so much of that player-friendly value.
So Xbox gamers, welcome these titles into your expanding libraries! Let Disney magic and metal riffs carry you into fall. And if you listen closely, you might even hear GlaDOS sarcastically mourning Portal 2‘s big moment. What games are you most excited for in September? Let me know on Twitter – until next month happy gaming!
