We are in the middle of one of the wildest Summers Xbox has ever had (or Winter, if you — like me! — are in the Southern Hemisphere). Even though we can count in one hand the triple-A blockbusters released in the last couple of months, the amount of smaller-scale games being released straight into Game Pass has kept us all pretty busy.
We previewed some of those games back in June. While Lemnis Gate ended up being delayed, Cris Tales, Microsoft Flight Simulator, The Ascent, Hades, Twelve Minutes and Psychonauts 2 were fantastic additions that covered a wide range of genres. And if that was not enough, those games were later joined by the likes of Bloodroots, Last Stop, Omno, Dodgeball Academia and Recompile.
July and August were maddening, that is for sure. But September is shaping up to be even crazier: so far we have NINE games confirmed to be joining the catalogue on day one next month, while two other games are receiving free updates. In other words, Game Pass subscribers will have something new to play in at least 11 out of the 30 days in September — and that is before Xbox officially unveils the full line-up for the month.
Curious to see what September’s line-up looks like at the moment? Wonder no more!
Day One Releases
September 2nd | Surgeon Simulator 2
To kick off the month in style we have Bossa Studios’ Surgeon Simulator 2, the sequel to the 2013’s cult classic. Originally released on August 2020 as an Epic Games Store exclusive, the game is finally coming to Xbox on September 2nd, joining the Game Pass catalogue on day one.
It’s time to ‘scrub in’ solo or jump into 4 player online games in this physics-based surgery sim with ludicrous coop and competitive play, plus an awesome builder mode. Unearth the mysteries of the Bossa Labs Medical Facility and save Bob’s life. Get ready to team up for trauma!
September 9th | The Artful Escape
The Artful Escape is yet another Annapurna Interactive-published game to join Game Pass — and in the words of our own Nick Baker, who previewed the game last month, Rock (and music) aficionados who love video games will have a real appreciation for how the game is structured melodically and how that blends into the gameplay.
This game has been in development for a long time, but it is finally time to give it a try when it releases on September 9th.
A teenage guitar prodigy sets out on a psychedelic journey to inspire his stage persona and confront the legacy of a dead folk legend. Starring voice performances by Michael Johnston, Caroline Kinley, Lena Headey, Jason Schwartzman, Mark Strong, and Carl Weathers.
September 10th | I Am Fish
Four fishes that were separated from their home that travel through the ocean in a bid for freedom. I am sure that reminds you of a certain Pixar movie, right? But if you need even more reasons to play it when it launches on September 10th, the game is being developed by Surgeon Simulator’s Bossa Studios and will be published by Curve Digital, which most recently published The Ascent.
I Am Fish is a charming, physics-based adventure starring four intrepid fish friends, forcibly separated from their home in a pet shop fish tank. Swim, fly, roll and chomp your way to the open ocean in a bid for freedom and to re-unite once again.
September 15th | Flynn: Son of Crimson
Flynn: Son of Crimson is the first of 10 games being published by Humble Games that are coming to Xbox Game Pass in the next few months. And if Dodgeball Academia — the last game published by the company to join the catalogue — is any indicative, we are in for a treat!
Flynn: Son of Crimson is a handcrafted 2D action platformer that will take you on a journey of discovery and redemption.
September 16th | SkateBird
You are a bird doing kickflips. What is not to love? Developed by Glass Bottom Games, SkateBird was originally scheduled for an August release, but it was later delayed to September 16th — when it also drops into the Game Pass catalogue.
Grind on bendy straws, kickflip over staplers, and carve killer lines through cardboard and sticky tape parks. Above all else, skate birds try their best!
September 17th | Aragami 2
Continuing the traditional wide array of genres in September, Aragami 2 is your stealth fix for the month. Play as one of the last elite warriors of your kin in this sequel to the 2016’s original game, also developed by Lince Works.
Aragami 2 is a third person stealth game where you play as an assassin with the power to control the shadows. Join the shadow clan and fight the invader armies to protect your people.
September 23rd | Sable
Sable’s unique art style might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there is no denying it looks great. And since it is joining the Game Pass cataogue on September 23rd, there is no hurt in giving it a try and exploring its world at your own pace, right?
Embark on a unique and unforgettable journey and guide Sable through her Gliding; a rite of passage that will take her across vast deserts and mesmerizing landscapes, capped by the remains of spaceships and ancient wonders.
September 28th | Lemnis Gate
Lemnis Gate is a turn-based combat strategy FPS taking place in a time loop, and at the start of each 25 second round you will pick one of seven operatives with a unique set of skills. Whatever actions you take within that round are then locked in and repeat each round until the end of the match.
You will be able to experience all this craziness when it finally launches on September 28th.
Lemnis Gate is the revolutionary turn-based combat strategy FPS taking place in a time loop. Master the unique abilities of powerful deep-space operatives and compete in mind-bending four-dimensional battles.
September 30th | Astria Ascending
From a team featuring developers from Final Fantasy, Nier Automata and Bravely Default, Astria Ascending is yet another game we had the privilege to preview — this time by our own Jesse Norris. Pick from eight customizable characters spanning a range of fantastical races and skills, and assemble a heroic team that must sacrifice everything to save the world.
Explore a vast world on the brink of chaos in a mature, emotional JRPG. Experience an epic story with rewarding, turn-based combat and expansive customization rendered in glorious 4K hand-drawn visuals.
Free Updates
September 1st | State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition — Homecoming Update
Trumbull Valley, the original map of the first State of Decay game, is coming to State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition as a fully remastered, open-world playable map when the Homecoming update goes live on September 1st.
In this new version of the iconic map, players will learn about the latest developments in this area, discovering new characters and storylines and resolving long-running plot threads.
September 7th | Microsoft Flight Simulator — World Update VI
Focused on Germany, Austria and Switzerland, this free update will feature many enhancements to the region, including new aerials and elevation maps, new photogrammetry cities, 4 hand-crafted airports, nearly 100 POIs and new discovery flights, landing challenges, and bush trips.
World Update VI will be available for download in the in-sim marketplace free-of-charge on September 7th.
