Clock’s ticking until the next-generation Xbox Series X in November, but for now, Xbox’s Games with Gold continues with September’s offerings. Every month since June of 2013,Xbox Live Goldmembers have received free games as part of their Live subscription. The selection for Games with Gold is typically a random assortment of titles, ranging from triple-A titles in their twilight, to indie delights that deserve more attention. August’s Games with Gold includedPortal Knights,MX Unleashed,Red Faction 2, andOverride: Mech City Brawl.
As September approaches, there’s a few selections that would be perfect for the Games with Gold service. These aren’t predictions for what to expect, rather a selection of games that would succeed on the Games with Gold lineup. Since Xbox’s selection process for Games with Gold is nebulous, it’s hard to accurately gauge what will come toXbox’s Games with Gold. That being said, here’s a few games that would be perfect for September’s Games with Gold lineup.
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Star Wars Battlefront 2
Admittedly, EA’s ambitious follow-up to theBattlefrontreboot didn’t have the best launch. Controversial microtransactions that resulted in pay-to-win balancing issues tore down what would’ve been a fairly balanced and enjoyable experience.Star Wars Battlefront 2has since changed quite a bit, with two years worth of free updates shape-shiftingBattlefront 2into a fully-featured experience without its scandalous microtransaction baggage.
Unlike the firstBattlefrontreboot,Battlefront 2has a full and unique singleplayer campaign featuring all new characters in theStar Warscanon. But the main course of every EA shooter is the multiplayer experience, and after several free content updates and balance changes,Battlefront 2is an expansive multiplayer experience worthy of playing after all this time. WithStar Wars: Squadronson the way this fall, fans can even get a taste of what’s to come inBattlefront 2’s space battles as well.
Risk of Rain 2
With the official 1.0 update now available,Risk of Rain 2has officially left early accessas a full game. Ideally emulating the success story ofFall Guyson PS Plus,Risk of Rain 2would be ideal for an indie offering on Games with Gold. This unique 3D roguelike has players exploring several alien planets attempting to gain as much power-ups as possible, all the while with a progressive difficulty that ramps up over time. Players start with Commando, but through various challenges can unlock the other nine unique characters, each with their own unique traits and abilities. It’s a particularly addicting time sink for roguelike fans, packed with a rewarding subset of achievements worth chasing either solo or with friends.
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Alan Wake (Xbox 360)
Hot on the heels ofControl’s DLC bringing back the troubled writer himself, Games with Gold should bring backAlan Wake. Released a decade ago,Alan Wakewas one of Remedy’s earliest narrative experiments that paid off in droves. Hopping into this psychological thriller, players take on the role of the titular author on vacation where his wife mysteriously disappears. As the game moves on, the events of a novel that Alan Wake supposedly wrote himself start to occur, without the knowledge of Alan Wake actually writing the story. What ensues is a very unique horror experience that plays out episodically like a TV show. Plusfans ofControlcould get someAlan Wakecontextmoving into the game’s upcomingAWEexpansion.
Tony Hawk’s Underground (Original Xbox)
Marking the first departure from thePro Skatersubseries,Tony Hawk’s Undergroundwas a unique take on the arcade-like skateboarding action. Contrary toPro Skater,Undergroundhad a full campaign full of 90s skate culture flair. Players take on the role of an amateur skater with big dreams, progressing through several stages around the world as players go pro. The game is just as unrealistic and absurd asPro Skater, but doesn’t compromise the gameplay experience with its campaign. Everything players loved aboutPro Skaterwas inUnderground, but with added character customization and the ability to dismount boards and run/jump around the levels.SincePro Skater 1+2 Remasterare on their way this September, what better way to celebrate early than with a classic.
TheXbox Games with Goldhave yet to be announced for September 2020.
