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Following the recent cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier commotion has subsided. Although it might not be considered the top offer in gaming now, the platform has introduced several big-name launch day releases recently, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those additions only enhance a vast library of numerous games perfect for weekend-long marathon sessions.

This week's recommendations feature a therapeutic shooter, an award-winning indie masterpiece, and a must-play HD-2D RPG.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

From time to time, we all require a bit of catharsis. For 20 years, the Sniper Elite franchise has delivered exactly that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter series presents players ultraviolent carnage against Nazi forces. Recently, Rebellion launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely new entry to the franchise. While it doesn't reinvent the formula, Resistance remains a polished serving of simulation World War II sandboxes filled with enemy objectives. The sniping is as visceral and satisfying as ever, with the series' trademark killcam displaying each shot's impact in gory, testicle-crunching detail. It's a violent thrill for any peace-lover wanting to let off steam in the security of a virtual space.

1000xResist

1000xResist presents an critically acclaimed story exploring post-pandemic life, generational pain, and other deep themes. It examines these themes through a sci-fi lens; you play as Watcher, one of multiple clones of Iris, the sole person left of a pandemic that wiped out humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones explore Iris's recollections from when Earth was ravaged by that horrific plague, as well as memories of her education and home life, both of which were bearable for a young person. Watcher learns Iris isn't all that she seems, and the plot develops from there. If all that intrigue fails to hook you, the game indeed start with a murder. Is there a more compelling opening than that?

Octopath Traveler II

Admittedly, completing a extremely long RPG in only over a week is a challenging task, but if there's any game worth attempting the grind for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's HD-2D gem is leaving Game Pass at the end of November (along with the first game, also available). But, with a holiday in the middle, at least for those in the U.S., it's theoretically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows 8 characters, each representing a different genre. There's a investigative story about a cleric looking into the murder of his church's archbishop. A trader striving to solve poverty through the power of commerce stars in a western-themed adventure. There's even a mystery about an herbalist with amnesia (since all great RPGs require a hero with an mysterious past, naturally). A few of these stories connect in surprising, fascinating ways, while you progress through a gorgeous Industrial Revolution themed world. And the battle system is superb — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its purest form.