Xbox Game Pass members can dive into the thrilling action platformer Nine Sols and the strategic experience of Aliens: Dark Descent this week. Let's take a look at what gamers can look forward to in these two titles.
Exploring Nine Sols
This unique 2D action platformer, crafted by Red Candle Games, merges elements of Asian mythology with a futuristic sci-fi backdrop. Players take on the character of Yi, a celebrated hero from bygone times, who is brought back to life by a young human. The goal is to take down the nine Sols, the powerful leaders of the cursed land of New Kunlun, while discovering the secrets behind an ancient alien species.
Nine Sols includes a combat system that emphasizes skill, where understanding enemy attack styles, executing timely parries, and effectively mixing offense and defense is essential for victory. The game debuted on Steam in May 2024, retailing for roughly $30, and it has received widespread praise, with a remarkable 95 percent positive rating from over 13,000 reviews. Starting November 26, this game will also be accessible through Game Pass.
The Tactics of Aliens: Dark Descent
Aliens: Dark Descent presents a tactical real-time strategy experience set in a high-stakes, alien-filled environment. Players take command of a specialized team of Colonial Marines who find themselves on an abandoned colony, facing the challenge of surviving, exploring, and eliminating the Xenomorph menace. With a squad limited to five marines at any given time, players must manage their resources and assign roles wisely to be successful. Every choice counts, as losing a marine is permanent and can drastically influence the outcome of the mission.
Created by Tindalos Interactive and released by Focus Entertainment in June 2023, Aliens: Dark Descent is available for around $40 on Steam and has garnered solid ratings, with an 88 percent positive feedback from about 11,500 reviews. However, on Metacritic, the game has received a more mixed response, with a Metascore of 75 and a User Score of 8.1. Critics have identified technical problems, repetitive mission structures, and an uninspired narrative as its main weaknesses. Even with its shortcomings, enthusiasts of the Alien series or real-time strategy games may find this title intriguing when it launches on November 27.
