Tag: 9 Kings

  • Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Adds 100th Exclusive Game for PC in 2025

    Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Adds 100th Exclusive Game for PC in 2025

    Key Takeaways

    1. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has added its 100th game, 9 Kings, in 2025, achieving a milestone of 100 titles this year.
    2. 9 Kings, a roguelike kingdom-building auto-battler, is currently available on PC only through Game Pass and is in early access.
    3. The game, developed by Brazilian indie team Sad Socket, sold over 250,000 copies in its first week and received a “Very Positive” rating on Steam.
    4. The first wave of Game Pass titles includes 9 Kings, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Aliens: Fireteam Elite, and Rain World, with more releases scheduled.
    5. Upcoming Game Pass titles include Frostpunk 2, Ball x Pitt, Ninja Gaiden 4, and The Outer Worlds 2, while three titles have been removed from the service.

    Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has reached a milestone with the addition of its 100th game in 2025, introducing 9 Kings to the platform. This marks a significant achievement, as 100 titles have been added to Game Pass this year. 9 Kings is a dynamic roguelike kingdom-building auto-battler, crafted by the Brazilian indie team Sad Socket and published by Hooded Horse.

    Availability and Platform

    Currently, 9 Kings can only be played on PC, and there are no announcements regarding its release on Xbox. It is accessible through both PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate as part of Game Preview.

    Developer Background

    Sad Socket, co-founded by Andre Young and Rafael Melo, operates out of São Paulo and New York City. The studio launched 9 Kings in early access on Steam on May 23, 2025. The game quickly received acclaim, earning a “Very Positive” rating with a 92.94% user score based on 11,551 reviews.

    Launch Success

    In its first week, 9 Kings sold over 250,000 copies, and within a month, it surpassed 400,000 sales, making it one of the most successful launches in the Brazilian gaming scene. The developers plan to keep the game in early access until about May 2026, after which they aim to bring it to consoles.

    Game Pass Lineup

    The addition of 9 Kings is part of the first wave of Xbox Game Pass titles, announced on August 5, 2025. In addition to this new roguelike city builder, subscribers can also play Assassin’s Creed Mirage, which launched on August 7, Aliens: Fireteam Elite on August 12, and Rain World.

    Upcoming Releases

    The second wave of Game Pass is set to arrive on August 19, featuring exciting day-one releases like Herdling on August 21 and Gears of War: Reloaded on August 26 for both PC and Xbox Series S|X.

    Future Additions

    As the year progresses, Game Pass members can look forward to Frostpunk 2 for Xbox Series S|X on September 18, Ball x Pitt on October 15, Keeper on October 17, Ninja Gaiden 4 on October 21, and The Outer Worlds 2 on October 29, all available as day-one releases on PC and Series S|X through Game Pass PC and Game Pass Ultimate.

    Departing Titles

    Sadly, as of August 15, three titles have been removed from Xbox Game Pass: Persona 3 Reload, Anthem, and Farming Simulator 22. Nonetheless, Xbox Game Pass continues to refresh its library with over 100 new additions this year, including fresh titles like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, Mafia: The Old Country, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, and Grounded 2.

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  • Next Week in Xbox Game Pass: 2 New Games, Including Roguelike

    Next Week in Xbox Game Pass: 2 New Games, Including Roguelike

    Key Takeaways

    1. Microsoft added six new games to Xbox Game Pass between August 4 and 10, followed by two significant titles the next week.
    2. 9 Kings is a well-received roguelike kingdom builder with over 10,000 reviews and a 92% positive rating since its Early Access launch on May 23.
    3. Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a cooperative third-person shooter set 23 years after the original Aliens trilogy, featuring four campaigns and up to three players.
    4. The gameplay in Aliens: Fireteam Elite emphasizes teamwork and strategic positioning to fend off xenomorphs and hostile synthetics.
    5. 9 Kings allows players to craft realms and raid opposing kingdoms, with randomized features that enhance replayability and strategic variety.

    In the days between August 4 and 10, Microsoft astonished gamers by adding six new games to Xbox Game Pass. The following week, however, only sees two new titles, but they are significant – especially 9 Kings, a well-received roguelike kingdom builder that began its Early Access on May 23. Since its launch, it has gathered over 10,000 reviews, with 92% being positive. Another title making its way to the service is Aliens: Fireteam Elite, a cooperative shooter set in the famous Aliens universe.

    The Thrilling Experience of Aliens: Fireteam Elite

    In Aliens: Fireteam Elite, players step into the shoes of a Colonial Marine who is answering a distress call with their team, taking place 23 years after the original trilogy. The adventure takes them to the Katanga space station and the planet LV-895, where they confront hordes of xenomorphs, perilous experiments, and ancient alien structures. The game includes four campaigns, each made up of three linked missions, and operates as a cooperative third-person shooter for up to three marines – whether with friends or AI partners. In these linear, Left 4 Dead-style missions, players must fend off xenomorphs and hostile synthetics from all sides, which makes teamwork and strategic positioning vital. Randomized features like challenge cards help keep each mission exciting.

    Discovering the Fast-Paced World of 9 Kings

    9 Kings is a dynamic roguelike kingdom builder where players craft their own realms and participate in grand battles. Each of the nine kings starts with a distinct deck of buildings, troops, and spells. By raiding opposing kingdoms, players can seize their cards and resources, unlocking a multitude of building strategies and playstyles. Staying true to the roguelike essence, if you lose, you are sent back to the start to have another go.

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