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Following the recent cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier commotion has subsided. Although it might not be seen as the absolute best deal in gaming now, the platform has introduced a number of high-profile day-one games lately, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These titles further enrich a vast library of hundreds games perfect for weekend marathon sessions.

This week's picks feature a therapeutic shooter, an award-winning independent gem, and a must-play HD-2D RPG.

Resistance: Sniper Elite

From time to time, everyone needs a bit of release. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite series has delivered precisely that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter series presents players ultraviolent mayhem targeting Nazi targets. Recently, the studio launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed addition to the series. Although it doesn't reinvent the formula, Resistance is a polished serving of simulation World War II open environments filled with enemy targets. The sniping is as brutal and gratifying as ever, with the game's signature killcam showing every bullet's impact in gory, explicit clarity. It's a violent thrill for every pacifist wanting to let off steam in the security of a digital world.

1000xResist

1000xResist presents an award-winning narrative touching on post-pandemic existence, family trauma, and other deep themes. It approaches these themes through a science fiction perspective; you assume the role of Watcher, one of several clones of Iris, the sole survivor of a pandemic that wiped out humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones explore Iris's memories from when Earth was beset by that horrific disease, as well as memories of her school and home life, neither of which were easy for a young person. Watcher learns Iris isn't what she appears, and the story unfolds from there. Should all that intrigue fails to hook you, the game does begin with a murder. What could be a more gripping start than that?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, finishing a extremely long RPG in just nine days is a challenging task, but if there's any game worth 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 first game, also available). However, due to a holiday in the middle, at least for those in the States, it's theoretically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 features eight protagonists, every one representing a distinct story style. There's a procedural story about a cleric investigating the death of his church's head priest. A trader striving to eradicate destitution through the power of commerce headlines a frontier-inspired narrative. Additionally, there's a mystery about an apothecary with memory loss (because every good RPGs need a character with an unknown background, of course). Some of these stories connect in surprising, intriguing ways, as you play through a stunning Industrial Revolution inspired world. And the combat is excellent — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its essence.