Highlights
- Xbox Game Pass is set to have a strong September 2023 with the release of four day-one games, including Lies of P and Party Animals .
- Dredge , a Lovecraftian fishing game, is a highly addictive and must-have indie that stands out from others this year.
- Xbox Game Pass could benefit from adding Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2 , as well as the highly acclaimed Star Wars Jedi: Survivor , to its lineup.
It's almost September, and that means Starfield is almost here, and along with it, hopefully, a new golden age for Xbox Game Pass. Over the last few days, Xbox's Phil Spencer has stated that Starfield is just the beginning of a "multi-year relay race of first-party titles," and that can only mean great things for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. Starfield is definitely the Game Pass release on everyone's mind right now, but it's far from the only game releasing on the service this September.
Xbox Game Pass has an eye-watering total of four day-one games releasing on the service in September 2023, and that's not including Starfield. On September 19, Lies of P is set to launch on Xbox Game Pass, and the long-awaited Party Animals drops just a day later. Then just a day after that, Payday 3 drops onto Xbox Game Pass, and finally at the end of the month, indie puzzler Cocoon is set to launch day one. September 2023 may be one of the greatest months in Xbox Game Pass history, but even then, it could still be better, and there are a few games that would really be the cherry on top of it all this month.
Xbox Game Pass New Game for September 2023: Dredge
Released back in March of this year, Dredge is almost guaranteed to show up on top 10 indie game lists at the end of the year. Though it starts off like a fairly unassuming fishing game, Dredge quickly devolves into a Lovecraftian nightmare, where the catcher soon becomes prey. With an incredibly simple gameplay loop that sees players venture out on their boat, catch fish, return to land, and sell their inventory for upgrades, Dredge is a very addictive game, and its underlying horror tone makes it stand out in a sea of other great indies this year, making it a must-have for Xbox Game Pass.
Xbox Game Pass New Game for September 2023: Sifu
Released back in February of last year, Sifu is one of the best indie games of 2022, and potentially one of the best best beat-em-up games ever made. Heavily inspired by kung fu action movies, Sifu sees players block, parry, and martial arts their way through a handful of stages, each one taking place in a new location, and each one putting the player up against an incredibly challenging boss at the end. With the final free Arenas update heading to Sifu on September 7, there's never been a better time for the title to come to Xbox Game Pass.
Xbox Game Pass New Game for September 2023: Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2
The Red Dead Redemption brand has seen its fair share of controversy in the last few weeks. After the rumors of a Red Dead Redemption remake turned out to be a simple port to PS4 and Switch -- and an expensive one at that -- many fans got, rightfully, mad with Rockstar. But both Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2 are still excellent games, and they're missing from the current Xbox Game Pass line-up. With GTA 5 back on Xbox Game Pass, it's the perfect time for either Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2, or both to come to the service.
Xbox Game Pass New Game for September 2023: Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
A pie-in-the-sky pick, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor would obviously be a phenomenal pull for Xbox Game Pass this September, no matter how unlikely it is to actually happen anytime soon. Improving on its predecessor's already-great formula in just about every way, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a sequel done right, and truly one of the greatest Star Wars games ever made.