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After the recent cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier commotion has calmed down. While it may not be considered the absolute best offer in gaming anymore, the service has welcomed a number of big-name launch day releases recently, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These additions only enhance a massive collection of hundreds games ideal for weekend-long marathon sessions.

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

Resistance: Sniper Elite

From time to time, we all require a little release. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite franchise has delivered exactly that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter line presents players intensely graphic carnage targeting enemy targets. Recently, Rebellion released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely new entry to the series. Although it doesn't revolutionize the gameplay, Resistance is a well-constructed dose of immersive sim World War II sandboxes filled with Nazi objectives. The sniping is as visceral and gratifying as ever, with the game's signature killcam displaying every bullet's effect in graphic, testicle-crunching detail. It's a bloody thrill for every pacifist wanting to let off steam in the security of a digital space.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist presents an award-winning story touching on post-pandemic life, generational trauma, and much more. It examines these subjects through a science fiction perspective; you play as Watcher, a member of multiple clones of Iris, the only survivor of a global outbreak that eradicated humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones explore Iris's recollections from the time Earth was beset by that horrific disease, along with memories of her education and home life, neither of which were bearable for a young person. Watcher learns Iris isn't all that she seems, and the story develops from there. If all that intrigue fails to grab your interest, the game indeed start with a killing. Is there a more compelling opening than that?

Octopath Traveler II

Admittedly, finishing a extremely long RPG in just over a week is a challenging task, but if there's any game deserving trying the effort for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's HD-2D gem is departing Game Pass at the close of the month (along with the original game, which is also included). However, due to a holiday in the midst, at least for players in the States, it's technically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows 8 protagonists, each representing a different story style. You'll find a investigative tale about a priest looking into the death of his church's archbishop. A trader aiming to solve poverty through the power of capitalism stars in a western-themed adventure. There's even a enigma about an apothecary with memory loss (since all great RPGs require a hero with an unknown background, naturally). A few of these plots intertwine in unexpected, fascinating ways, as you play through a stunning Industrial Revolution inspired world. And the combat is excellent — “number go up” boiled to its essence.