It is already halfway through September, which means that all ofXbox Live’sGames with Gold this month are already available for players to download for free. For those who missed Microsoft’s announcement,September’s Games with Goldconsists ofWarhammer: Chaosbane, Mulaka, Zone of the Enders HD Collection, andSamurai Shodown 2.
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InnerSpace (Xbox One)
Headlining this wish list for October’s Xbox Games with Gold isInnerSpace, an action-adventure game developed by PolyKnight Games that was released in 2018. It is worth noting thatInnerSpaceis the studio’s debut game, and is inspired by other character-driven titles such asJourneyandGrow Home. Shortly after its release,InnerSpacereceived positive reviews thanks to the strange worlds players can explore and its impressive visuals.
Shovel Knight (Xbox One)
Next up isShovel Knight, a 2D side-scrolling platformer game developed and published by Yacht Club Games. After a successful crowdfunding campaign,Shovel Knightwas released in 2014, offering players nostalgic 8-bit graphics. Players control the titular character as he collects treasure and battles the Order of No Quarter.Shovel Knightreceived critical acclaim, anda puzzle spin-off title calledShovel Knight Pocket Dungeonis currently in development and is scheduled to release this winter.
Alan Wake (Xbox 360)
Next month, Remedy Entertainment is releasinga remastered version ofAlan Wake, first released back in 2010. While the upcoming remaster will surely bring massive improvements to the original game, some players would probably want to check out the original. Especially if it will be offered for free as part of Xbox Game with Gold, just to compare how different it is from the remaster.
For the uninitiated, the originalAlan Wakereceived positive reviews from both players and critics thanks to its impressive visuals, deep narrative, and excellent pacing and atmosphere. Shortly after its release in 2010,Alan Wakewas awarded the first spot in Time Magazine’s list of the top 10 video games of the year. Of course, many would probably preferthe remastered version ofAlan Wakethat will be released on October 5, but for those who still haven’t played it, the original remains a must-play game.
Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (Xbox 360)
For September, Microsoft addedZone of the Enders HD Collectionto Xbox Games with Goldand is currently the most popular title in the entire roster. Given this, it would probably be a good move for Microsoft also to include another popular Konami franchise, which is of course,Metal Gear Solid. In 2011, Konami releasedMetal Gear Solid HD Collection, a bundle consisting ofMetal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater,andMetal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.
It is worth mentioning thatMetal Gear Solid 2andSolid 3are among the most popular entriesin the franchise, which is why it would undoubtedly lead to the success of next month’s roster of Games with Gold. Not to mention, these games were never released to the Xbox One, and while Xbox consoles offer backward compatibility, not all are probably willing to pay for these games sinceMGS 2was released in 2001 andMGS 3in 2004.
However, offering the collection for free as part of theXbox Live’sGames with Gold program will surelycapture the interest of longtimeMetal Gearfanssince it’s been years since Konami released a mainlineMetal Geargame. Additionally,Metal Gear Solid: HD Collectionis also an excellent way for a generation of gamers to experience these classic games.
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