September can feel like a reset button for gaming. The summer release rush has cooled, the holiday season hasn’t quite kicked into gear, and players are left with a rare mix of heavy-hitters and sleeper picks to explore. It’s the perfect moment to dive into games that demand time, whether it’s an epic new release or a cozy sim that pairs well with the season’s slower pace. And Xbox Game Pass offers players the perfect ground to explore this space.
This week on Game Pass, players can strike the perfect balance. There’s the long-awaited sequel that fans have been clamoring for, a co-op title guaranteed to spark drama on the couch, a stylish cult hit that rewards curiosity, and a fan-favorite farming sim that feels tailor-made for the early days of fall. Whether you’re looking for intensity, comfort, or something to share with friends, this lineup covers every mood.
Xbox Game Pass Confirms September 2025 Wave 1 Lineup
Xbox Game Pass reveals the first wave of titles that will be added to Microsoft's popular subscription service in September 2025.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
If you're a Metroidvania fan and haven’t jumped on the hype yet, I’m not sure what you’re waiting for. But take this week’s top recommendation as a sign to download Hollow Knight: Silksong on Game Pass. By now, there should hopefully be no platform collapsing at the sheer demand for this long-awaited indie title. Therefore, I hope you’re able to download this title as quickly as possible.
As a sequel to one of the most beloved indie games of all time, Silksong carries impossibly high expectations. And it somehow lives up to them with its incredibly haunting environment and surprisingly challenging learning curve. Some of the differences between Hollow Knight and Silksong include expanded movement options, improved combat depth, and new biomes. All of these bring fresh challenges without losing the precision and atmosphere that made Hollow Knight so environmentally iconic. For fans of Metroidvanias and exploration in gaming, Silksong should be a no-brainer. It’s rare for a game to dominate the spotlight this completely, but Silksong and Team Cherry more than earned it.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 91 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- September 4, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Developer(s)
- Team Cherry
- Publisher(s)
- Team Cherry
WHERE TO PLAY
A Way Out
As a con-goer preparing to spend a lot of time socializing with friends after long convention days over Labor Day weekend, I needed to pick a game that could entertain everyone. Instead of opting for well-known couch co-op favorites, I pitched in a title that would stir the pot just a little bit more than most. And I am so proud that I was able to cause full-on shouting matches thanks to A Way Out.
Split Fiction and It Takes Two fans will immediately recognize A Way Out’s formula. After all, it was developed by Hazelight Studios. But what sets this one apart is its gritty narrative about two escaped convicts who rely on one another to survive. Unlike many lighthearted co-op titles, A Way Out pushes players to make tough calls, and that tension makes for some truly unforgettable moments.
A Way Out
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 69%
- Released
- March 23, 2018
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Nudity, Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Hazelight Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
WHERE TO PLAY
Control: Ultimate Edition
If Silksong is the headline grabber and A Way Out is the grim party-starter, Control: Ultimate Edition is the game that sneaks up on players with style. Remedy Entertainment’s award-winning supernatural action game thrives on mood, setting, and mystery, drawing players into the Federal Bureau of Control’s shifting headquarters, the Oldest House.
With the Ultimate Edition on Game Pass, the experience is at its most complete. Both Control expansions are included, and the extras serve as additional boons for players to enjoy. The result is a sharp, stylish action game that blends eerie worldbuilding with dynamic gameplay. For anyone looking to spend some nights lost in atmosphere and questions, Control still delivers one of the most original gaming experiences of the last decade.
Control
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 89%
- Released
- August 27, 2019
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Mature: Blood, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Remedy Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- 505 Games
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action, Third-Person Shooter, Supernatural
Stardew Valley
As fall begins and temperatures drop with the start of school, sometimes, all you need is a cozy thing or activity to unwind. Bonus points if that activity fits the fall vibe. From enjoying a cup of hot cocoa to reading, there are plenty of activities that can help you tick off that box. But for gamers, Stardew Valley is the ideal game to quiet the chaos of a busy day. And with Stardew Valley’s 1.7 update recently announced, now’s the best time to get into the game’s rhythms.
What makes Stardew special isn’t just its farming sim mechanics, but the way the game quietly becomes about building routines, relationships, and a sense of community. Every season feels different, and fall in particular makes the game shine with its orange-hued palette, slower pace, and Stardew Valley’s best festivals. Whether you’re putting in 20 minutes before bed or losing hours to fishing and mining, Stardew Valley remains one of Game Pass’s most comforting staples.
Stardew Valley
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- February 26, 2016
- ESRB
- E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
- Developer(s)
- ConcernedApe
- Publisher(s)
- ConcernedApe
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Simulation