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After the latest cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier commotion has calmed down. Although it might not be considered the top offer in gaming anymore, the platform has introduced several high-profile day-one releases recently, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These titles only enhance a massive collection of hundreds games perfect for weekend marathon sessions.

This week's recommendations include a therapeutic shooter, an prize-winning indie gem, and a must-play HD-2D RPG.

Resistance: Sniper Elite

Every so often, everyone needs a little release. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite series has delivered exactly that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter line offers players intensely graphic mayhem against Nazi forces. This year, the studio released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed addition to the series. While it doesn't revolutionize the gameplay, Resistance remains a polished serving of immersive sim World War II open environments packed with enemy targets. The long-range combat is as visceral and satisfying as always, featuring the game's signature killcam displaying each shot's effect in gory, testicle-crunching detail. It's a violent thrill for any pacifist wanting to unwind in the safety of a digital space.

1000xResist

1000xResist tells an award-winning narrative touching on post-pandemic existence, family trauma, and much more. It approaches these themes through a science fiction perspective; you assume the role of Watcher, one of multiple clones of Iris, the sole person left of a pandemic that wiped out human life. Watcher and her sister clones delve into Iris's recollections from the time Earth was ravaged by that terrible plague, along with memories of her school and home life, both of which were easy for a young person. Watcher learns Iris isn't what she appears, and the plot develops from there. If all that mystery isn't enough to hook you, the game indeed start with a killing. Is there a more gripping opening than this?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, finishing a extremely long RPG in only over a week is a challenging task, but if any game worth trying 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, which is also included). However, with a break in the middle, at least for players in the U.S., it's technically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows eight protagonists, each representing a different story style. There's a investigative story about a priest investigating the murder of his cathedral's archbishop. A trader aiming to solve poverty through the power of capitalism headlines a western-themed narrative. Additionally, there's a mystery about an herbalist with memory loss (since all great RPGs need a character with an unknown background, of course). A few of these plots connect in surprising, intriguing ways, while you progress through a gorgeous Industrial Revolution themed setting. And the battle system is superb — “number go up” distilled to its essence.