Labor Day may be over, but September is just getting started. And Xbox Series X/S’ recent releases are already setting the tone for the month. In fact, it’s likely setting the tone for what will be an inevitably competitive Q4. I’ve been keeping an eye on the lineup, and this weekend feels like one of the most exciting ones we’ve had in a while. There’s a mix of the brand-new, the reinvented, and the underappreciated, giving players plenty of reasons to turn the console back on after a holiday break.
For me, this month feels different—which is a pretty loaded statement given that 2025 has been jam-packed with incredible games. And there’s no better way to experience this influx of great titles than on Xbox. One long-awaited indie finally steps into the light, a beloved Xbox franchise comes roaring back in modern form, and a thoughtful strategy-survival hybrid is waiting for players who want something fresh and outside the usual comfort zone. Whether you’re here to sink dozens of hours into a sprawling sequel or just dabble with something new, the next few days are packed. Here are three picks to play this weekend.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
It finally happened. After almost a decade of waiting, speculation, and endless memes, Hollow Knight: Silksong has officially launched as a day-one release on Game Pass. This long-anticipated sequel trades the haunting caverns of Hallownest for the vibrant but perilous kingdom of Pharloom, with Hornet stepping in as the agile new protagonist. Silksong delivers the same tight Metroidvania gameplay as its predecessor but raises the stakes with faster combat, new little town hubs, and a whole new arsenal of tools to master.
This weekend belongs to Hornet and Team Cherry. For returning fans, it’s a chance to see if years of anticipation measure up to the final product. For newcomers, Silksong is the perfect entry point as one of the most polished, challenging, and rewarding platformers in recent memory. As an added perk, it’s free to dive into with a Game Pass subscription. Expect the fandom to be buzzing all weekend long, because this is the release everyone’s been waiting for.
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
Gears of War: Reloaded
For those seeking something a little heavier on the firepower, Gears of War: Reloaded modernizes the franchise that defined Xbox for over a decade. This remastered take on the original trilogy rebuilds the experience with next-gen visuals, smoother gameplay mechanics, and online features designed for today’s co-op and competitive players. It’s a love letter to the past that doesn’t just play on nostalgia, it makes those memories sharper, faster, and more cinematic.
What makes Reloaded stand out is its balance between reverence and innovation. Longtime fans can relive iconic story moments with a fresh coat of paint. Meanwhile, newcomers get a chance to dive into one of Xbox’s most influential series in its definitive form. Whether storming through the campaign or hopping into multiplayer, it’s a weekend pick that packs grit and polish in equal measure.
Gears of War: Reloaded
- Released
- August 26, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- The Coalition
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action, Third-Person Shooter, War & Military
Cataclismo
On the quieter end of the Xbox release spectrum, Cataclismo is an RTS-meets-survival builder. Players are tasked with defending the remnants of humanity against waves of shadowy creatures by constructing sprawling fortresses brick by brick. The game’s tactile building system blends creativity with strategy, letting players literally stack defenses while juggling resource management and tactical combat.
Its pacing makes it the perfect title for a long weekend session. Some nights will feel like carefully curating a medieval city, while others turn into tense standoffs as enemies swarm your gates. It’s one of the more unique additions to Game Pass this season, and for those looking to try something outside the mainstream, Cataclismo is a must-play hidden gem.
Cataclismo
- Released
- July 22, 2024
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Digital Sun
- Publisher(s)
- Hooded Horse
- Engine
- Unity
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Simulation, City Builder