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After the latest price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier commotion has calmed down. Although it might not be considered the absolute best deal in gaming now, the service has welcomed several high-profile day-one releases lately, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These additions only enhance a massive collection of hundreds games perfect for weekend marathon sessions.

Our current recommendations feature a therapeutic shooter, an prize-winning indie gem, and a essential HD-2D RPG.

Resistance: Sniper Elite

From time to time, we all require a bit of catharsis. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite series has delivered exactly that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter line presents players intensely graphic carnage targeting enemy targets. This year, the studio released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely addition to the franchise. While it doesn't revolutionize the formula, Resistance is a polished serving of simulation World War II open environments packed with enemy targets. The sniping is as visceral and satisfying as always, with the series' trademark killcam showing every bullet's impact in gory, explicit detail. It's a bloody thrill for every pacifist looking to unwind in the safety of a virtual space.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist presents an award-winning story touching on post-pandemic existence, family trauma, and other deep themes. It approaches these subjects through a sci-fi lens; you play as Watcher, a member of several clones of Iris, the only survivor of a global outbreak that wiped out humanity. Watcher and her sister clones explore Iris's recollections from when Earth was beset by that terrible plague, along with memories of her education and home life, both of which were easy for a young person. Watcher learns Iris isn't all that she seems, and the plot develops from there. If all that mystery fails to hook you, the game indeed start with a murder. Is there a more gripping start than this?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, completing a extremely long RPG in only over a week is a tall order, but if there's any game worth trying the grind for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking masterpiece is departing Game Pass at the close of the month (as is the first game, which is also included). However, with a break in the midst, at least for those in the U.S., it's technically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 features eight protagonists, each representing a distinct genre. There's a investigative story about a priest looking into the death of his cathedral's head priest. A merchant aiming to eradicate poverty through the force of commerce stars in a western-themed narrative. Additionally, there's a mystery about an herbalist with memory loss (because every good RPGs need a character with an mysterious past, naturally). A few of these stories connect in unexpected, intriguing ways, as you play through a stunning Industrial Revolution inspired world. And the combat is superb — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its essence.