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Following the latest cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial commotion has subsided. While it may not be considered the top offer in gaming anymore, the platform has introduced a number of big-name day-one games lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those titles further enrich a vast library of numerous games ideal for weekend marathon sessions.

Our current picks include a therapeutic action game, an award-winning independent gem, and a essential HD-2D RPG.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

From time to time, everyone needs a little catharsis. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite series has provided exactly that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter series presents players intensely graphic carnage against enemy targets. Recently, the studio launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed new entry to the franchise. While it doesn't reinvent the gameplay, Resistance remains a polished serving of simulation World War II open environments filled with Nazi targets. The long-range combat is as visceral and satisfying as always, with the series' trademark killcam showing every bullet's effect in graphic, explicit clarity. It's a bloody thrill for any pacifist wanting to let off steam in the safety of a virtual world.

1000xResist

1000xResist tells an award-winning narrative exploring life after a pandemic life, family trauma, and much more. It examines these themes through a sci-fi perspective; you play as Watcher, one of multiple clones of Iris, the sole person left of a global outbreak that wiped out humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones explore Iris's memories from when Earth was ravaged by that terrible disease, along with memories of her school and home life, both of which were easy for a teenager. Watcher discovers Iris isn't all that she seems, and the story develops from there. Should all that mystery isn't enough to grab your interest, the game indeed begin with a murder. Is there a more gripping start than this?

Octopath Traveler 2

Yes, finishing a extremely long RPG in only over a week is a tall order, but if there's any game deserving trying the grind for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking gem is departing Game Pass at the end of November (as is the original game, which is also included). However, with a break in the midst, at least for those in the States, it's technically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 features 8 protagonists, every one representing a distinct story style. You'll find a procedural tale about a priest looking into the murder of his church's head priest. A trader aiming to solve poverty through the power of commerce headlines a western-themed narrative. Additionally, there's a mystery about an apothecary with amnesia (since every good RPGs need a character with an unknown background, naturally). A few of these stories connect in surprising, intriguing ways, as you play through a stunning Industrial Revolution inspired setting. And the combat is excellent — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its essence.