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After the recent price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier commotion has calmed down. Although it might not be considered the top offer in gaming anymore, the platform has welcomed a number of big-name launch day releases lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These titles only enhance a vast library of hundreds games ideal for weekend-long marathon sessions.

This week's picks feature a cathartic action game, an award-winning indie gem, and a essential HD-2D RPG.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

From time to time, we all require a bit of release. For 20 years, the Sniper Elite series has provided precisely that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter series presents players ultraviolent mayhem against Nazi forces. This year, the studio launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed new entry to the series. Although it doesn't revolutionize the formula, Resistance remains a polished dose of immersive sim World War II open environments filled with enemy objectives. The long-range combat is as visceral and satisfying as ever, with the game's trademark killcam displaying each shot's effect in gory, explicit clarity. It's a violent thrill for any pacifist looking to unwind in the security of a virtual space.

1000xResist

1000xResist presents an critically acclaimed narrative exploring life after a pandemic existence, family pain, and other deep themes. It approaches these subjects through a science fiction lens; you play as Watcher, one of several clones of Iris, the sole person left of a pandemic that eradicated humanity. Watcher and her sister clones explore Iris's recollections from when Earth was ravaged by that horrific plague, along with experiences of her education and home life, both of which were easy for a young person. Watcher learns Iris isn't what she appears, and the plot unfolds from there. Should all that mystery isn't enough to grab your interest, the game does start with a murder. What could be a more gripping start than that?

Octopath Traveler 2

Admittedly, completing a gazillion-hour RPG in only over a week is a tall order, but if any game worth attempting the grind 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 original game, also available). However, with a break in the middle, at least for players in the States, it's theoretically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows eight characters, each embodying a different story style. You'll find a investigative story about a cleric investigating the death of his church's archbishop. A merchant aiming to eradicate destitution through the force of capitalism headlines a frontier-inspired narrative. Additionally, there's a mystery about an apothecary with memory loss (because every good RPGs require a character with an unknown past, naturally). Some of these stories connect in unexpected, fascinating ways, while you progress through a gorgeous 19th-century inspired setting. And the combat is excellent — stat-focused gameplay boiled to its essence.