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Following the latest price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial uproar has calmed down. While it may not be seen as the absolute best deal in gaming now, the platform has introduced several big-name day-one releases lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These additions only enhance a vast library of hundreds games perfect for weekend-long gaming binges.

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

Sniper Elite: Resistance

Every so often, we all require a bit of release. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite series has provided precisely that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter series presents players intensely graphic mayhem against Nazi forces. This year, the studio launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely new entry to the franchise. Although it doesn't reinvent the formula, Resistance is a polished dose of immersive sim World War II open environments packed with Nazi objectives. The sniping is as visceral and satisfying as always, with the series' signature killcam displaying each shot's effect in graphic, testicle-crunching clarity. It's a violent thrill for any peace-lover wanting to unwind in the security of a digital world.

1000xResist

1000xResist tells an critically acclaimed story exploring post-pandemic existence, generational trauma, and other deep themes. It examines these themes through a science fiction perspective; you play as Watcher, one of several clones of Iris, the only person left of a global outbreak that eradicated humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones explore Iris's memories from when Earth was beset by that horrific plague, along with memories of her education and family life, both of which were easy for a young person. Watcher discovers Iris isn't all that she seems, and the story develops from there. If all that intrigue isn't enough to hook you, the game indeed start with a murder. What could be a more compelling start than that?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, finishing a extremely long RPG in only over a week is a challenging task, but if there's any game worth trying the grind for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's HD-2D masterpiece is leaving Game Pass at the end of November (along with the original game, also available). But, with a break in the middle, at least for those in the U.S., it's theoretically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 features 8 protagonists, every one representing a distinct genre. You'll find a investigative story about a cleric investigating the murder of his church's archbishop. A trader striving to eradicate poverty through the force of capitalism headlines a frontier-inspired narrative. Additionally, there's a enigma about an apothecary with memory loss (because every good RPGs require a character with an unknown past, naturally). A few of these stories intertwine in unexpected, intriguing ways, while you progress through a gorgeous Industrial Revolution themed world. And the battle system is excellent — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its purest form.