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Following the latest cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial commotion has calmed down. While it may not be seen as the absolute best deal in gaming now, the platform has introduced a number of big-name launch day releases lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These additions further enrich a vast library of hundreds games ideal for weekend marathon sessions.

Our current picks feature a cathartic action game, an award-winning independent gem, and a must-play HD-2D RPG.

Resistance: Sniper Elite

Every so often, we all require a bit of catharsis. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite franchise has delivered exactly that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter series offers players ultraviolent mayhem against Nazi targets. Recently, the studio released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed addition to the series. While it doesn't revolutionize the gameplay, Resistance remains a well-constructed dose of simulation World War II sandboxes packed with Nazi objectives. The long-range combat is as visceral and satisfying as ever, with the series' signature killcam displaying every bullet's impact in graphic, testicle-crunching detail. It's a violent excitement for every pacifist looking to unwind in the safety of a digital space.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist tells an critically acclaimed narrative touching on post-pandemic existence, generational trauma, and other deep themes. It examines these subjects through a science fiction perspective; you play as Watcher, one of several clones of Iris, the only survivor of a pandemic that eradicated humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones delve into Iris's memories from when Earth was ravaged by that horrific plague, along with memories of her school and home life, neither of which were easy for a teenager. Watcher discovers Iris is not 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 opening than this?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, completing a gazillion-hour RPG in only over a week is a challenging task, but if there's any game deserving trying the grind for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking gem is leaving Game Pass at the end of November (as is the first game, also available). But, due to a break in the midst, at least for those in the U.S., it's theoretically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 features eight protagonists, every one embodying a distinct story style. There's a investigative story about a priest looking into the death of his cathedral's archbishop. A merchant striving to solve destitution through the force of capitalism stars in a western-themed adventure. Additionally, there's a mystery about an herbalist with memory loss (since every good RPGs need a character with an mysterious background, naturally). Some of these stories intertwine in unexpected, fascinating ways, while you progress through a stunning Industrial Revolution inspired world. And the battle system is excellent — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its purest form.