This New Xbox Game Pass Indie Needs to Be Played Just as Badly as Silksong

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The highly anticipated release of Hollow Knight: Silksong is just around the corner, and its arrival on Xbox Game Pass on day one makes it an exciting time for subscribers. Yet, while everyone’s focus is on Silksong, another noteworthy side-scrolling indie game is also approaching: Nine Sols. Developed by RedCandleGames, Nine Sols boasts a detailed, hand-drawn world reminiscent of the combat style in Sekiro, as well as plenty of style and panache. Fans of Hollow Knight’s metroidvania levels, intricate exploration, and intense boss battles will find Nine Sols to be another game worth playing.

The game titled “Nine Sols” revolves around Yi, a warrior who has been sleeping for eons within the Solarian sanctuary of New Kunlun. A human child stirs him from his slumber, kicking off Yi’s journey of vengeance against the nine powerful rulers known as the Sols. Despite the ambiguity surrounding his motivations, venturing through this world and its unique “Taopunk” atmosphere will gradually unfold Yi’s tale. Set in a captivating universe that fuses Taoist philosophies and eastern mythology with an art style reminiscent of manga, players will unravel the mysteries of an extraterrestrial race and discover the destiny of mankind.

Game Pass Subscribers Shouldn’t Sleep on Nine Sols

After its debut in 2024, the game Nine Sols has garnered approximately 15,000 reviews on Steam, earning an Overwhelmingly Positive rating from both players and critics. It’s definitely worth checking out on Game Pass, especially since it’s typically priced at $29.99. With multiple endings and plenty of replay value, securing it through Game Pass is a great deal.

In contrast to Hollow Knight, Nine Sols offers a more linear narrative rather than an expansive world to freely traverse. However, it compensates by presenting two possible endings for players to discover. Unlike the default ending, the good one requires a deeper investment in understanding and interacting with the game’s characters and environment. Notably, gamers can achieve both conclusions from a single save file, eliminating the need to restart the entire game and allowing them to re-explore the world at their convenience without starting over.

The majority of reviews on Steam are from gamers who have spent over thirty hours playing the game, and many of these detailed reviews praise nearly every aspect of it. While they acknowledge that the game is more linear than Hollow Knight, they argue that this doesn’t negatively impact the experience. One such review, by Steam user Hazel, states that the story is so compelling that the absence of branching paths isn’t really an issue, and goes on to say that “the story wraps up nicely, with no loose ends, while also providing satisfying resolutions for the NPCs you encounter throughout your journey.” Nine Sols offers a blend of stunning visual design and emotionally engaging storytelling, aligning well with Silksong’s anticipated features.

Nine Sols Has a Lot in Common With Silksong

In the years prior to its release, details about Silksong‘s specific gameplay elements have been scarce. However, the predecessor game, Hollow Knight, offers a clear framework that lets players understand what they might encounter. When both players and critics refer to Nine Sols as an ideal fit for those eagerly awaiting Silksong, they are speaking the truth. Both games provide opportunities to engage in intense battles against colossal opponents, challenging a player’s skill, persistence, and stamina.

In simpler terms, both “Nine Sols” and “Silksong” feature a progression system that rewards players for their skill development. Each new ability learned not only advances the game’s narrative but also enhances the player’s actual gaming abilities. Combat in “Nine Sols” is primarily centered around parrying, which requires precise timing and a keen understanding of enemies, making mastery incredibly rewarding. Similar to “Silksong” and unlike some games, these titles don’t guide players through every step; instead, they require effort, dedication, and the development of muscle memory for skill improvement.

Despite the excitement for Silksong potentially overshadowing numerous other indies releasing in September or arriving on Game Pass concurrently with Silksong, fans of Hollow Knight and its sequel should not overlook Nine Sols. Boasting a visually stunning and immersive experience similar to Hollow Knight and Silksong, this 2D platformer is a must-see for anyone following the genre. As a meticulously crafted indie title, Nine Sols is not to be missed, so Game Pass subscribers should add it to their collection on September 3rd.

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2025-09-03 23:44