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After the latest cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial commotion has calmed down. Although it might not be seen as the top deal in gaming now, the platform has introduced a number of big-name day-one releases recently, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those additions further enrich a massive collection of hundreds games perfect for weekend marathon sessions.

This week's picks include a therapeutic action game, an award-winning indie masterpiece, and a essential HD-2D RPG.

Resistance: Sniper Elite

From time to time, everyone needs a bit of release. For 20 years, the Sniper Elite franchise has provided precisely that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter line presents players ultraviolent mayhem targeting enemy targets. Recently, the studio released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed new entry to the franchise. While it doesn't reinvent the gameplay, Resistance is a well-constructed serving of immersive sim World War II open environments filled with enemy targets. The long-range combat is as brutal and satisfying as always, with the game's signature killcam displaying each shot's effect in gory, explicit detail. It's a bloody excitement for any pacifist wanting to let off steam in the safety of a digital space.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist tells an critically acclaimed narrative touching on life after a pandemic life, generational pain, and much more. It examines these themes through a sci-fi perspective; you assume the role of Watcher, a member of multiple clones of Iris, the only survivor of a global outbreak that eradicated human life. Watcher and her sister clones delve into Iris's recollections from when Earth was ravaged by that terrible plague, as well as experiences of her school and family life, both of which were easy for a young person. Watcher learns Iris is not what she appears, and the plot develops from there. If all that intrigue fails to hook you, the game indeed start with a murder. What could be a more compelling start than that?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, completing a gazillion-hour RPG in only over a week is a tall order, but if there's any game deserving attempting the effort for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's HD-2D masterpiece is leaving Game Pass at the close of the month (along with the first game, which is also included). However, due to a break in the midst, at least for those in the States, it's theoretically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows eight protagonists, every one embodying a different genre. There's a procedural story about a cleric investigating the murder of his cathedral's archbishop. A merchant aiming to solve poverty through the power of commerce headlines a western-themed narrative. There's even a enigma about an herbalist with amnesia (since every good RPGs require a character with an unknown background, naturally). A few of these stories intertwine in surprising, intriguing ways, as you play through a stunning Industrial Revolution themed setting. And the combat is excellent — “number go up” boiled to its purest form.