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Following the recent cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial commotion has subsided. While it might not be considered the absolute best deal in gaming now, the platform has introduced several big-name day-one releases lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These additions only enhance a vast collection of numerous games perfect for weekend marathon sessions.

This week's recommendations include a cathartic action game, an prize-winning independent gem, and a must-play HD-2D RPG.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

Every so often, we all require a bit of release. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite franchise has provided precisely that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter line presents players intensely graphic mayhem against Nazi forces. Recently, the studio released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely addition to the franchise. While it doesn't revolutionize the formula, Resistance remains a polished serving of simulation World War II open environments packed with enemy objectives. The long-range combat is as brutal and satisfying as ever, featuring the series' trademark killcam displaying each shot's effect in gory, explicit clarity. It's a bloody excitement for every peace-lover looking to unwind in the security of a digital world.

1000xResist

1000xResist presents an critically acclaimed story exploring post-pandemic life, family trauma, and much more. It approaches these themes through a science fiction lens; you play as Watcher, a member of multiple clones of Iris, the sole survivor of a pandemic that eradicated humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones explore Iris's recollections from the time Earth was beset by that horrific plague, along with memories of her education and family life, neither of which were easy for a young person. Watcher learns Iris isn't what she appears, and the plot unfolds from that point. If all that intrigue fails to grab your interest, the game does begin with a murder. What could be a more compelling opening than this?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, completing a extremely long RPG in only over a week is a tall order, but if any game worth attempting the effort for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking masterpiece is departing Game Pass at the end of November (along with the original game, also available). But, with a break in the middle, at least for players in the U.S., it's theoretically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows eight characters, each representing a distinct genre. You'll find a procedural story about a priest investigating the murder of his cathedral's archbishop. A merchant aiming to eradicate destitution through the force of commerce stars in a western-themed adventure. There's even a enigma about an herbalist with memory loss (since every good RPGs need a hero with an unknown past, naturally). A few of these stories intertwine in unexpected, intriguing ways, as you play through a stunning 19th-century themed setting. And the combat is superb — “number go up” distilled to its essence.