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After the recent cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier commotion has calmed down. Although it might not be seen as the top offer in gaming anymore, the platform has welcomed a number of big-name launch day games lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These titles further enrich a vast collection of numerous games ideal for weekend marathon sessions.

Our current picks include a therapeutic action game, an prize-winning indie masterpiece, and a essential HD-2D RPG.

Resistance: Sniper Elite

Every so often, we all require a bit of release. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite franchise has delivered precisely that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter series presents players intensely graphic mayhem targeting enemy targets. Recently, the studio launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely new entry to the series. Although it doesn't reinvent the formula, Resistance is a well-constructed serving of simulation World War II sandboxes packed with enemy targets. The sniping is as brutal and satisfying as ever, with the series' signature killcam displaying every bullet's impact in gory, testicle-crunching clarity. It's a violent excitement for every pacifist looking to let off steam in the safety of a virtual space.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist presents an critically acclaimed narrative exploring post-pandemic existence, family trauma, and much more. It approaches these themes through a sci-fi perspective; you assume the role of Watcher, a member of multiple clones of Iris, the only person left of a pandemic that wiped out human life. Watcher and her sister clones explore Iris's memories from the time Earth was ravaged by that horrific plague, along with memories of her school and family life, both of which were easy for a young person. Watcher discovers Iris is not what she appears, and the story unfolds from that point. Should all that intrigue isn't enough to hook you, the game indeed begin with a killing. What could be a more gripping opening than that?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, finishing a gazillion-hour RPG in just over a week is a tall order, but if there's any game worth attempting the effort for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's HD-2D gem 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 middle, at least for players in the States, it's theoretically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 features eight protagonists, every one embodying a different genre. You'll find a procedural story about a cleric investigating the death of his church's archbishop. A merchant striving to eradicate poverty through the power of commerce headlines a western-themed narrative. Additionally, there's a enigma about an apothecary with memory loss (since all great RPGs require a character with an unknown background, naturally). Some of these plots connect in surprising, intriguing ways, as you play through a stunning Industrial Revolution inspired setting. And the battle system is excellent — “number go up” boiled to its purest form.