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Following the latest price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier commotion has calmed down. While it might not be considered the absolute best offer in gaming anymore, the platform has introduced several big-name day-one releases lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those titles only enhance a vast library of numerous games perfect for weekend marathon sessions.

Our current picks include a cathartic shooter, an prize-winning indie gem, and a must-play HD-2D RPG.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

Every so often, everyone needs a little catharsis. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite franchise has provided precisely that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter series presents players ultraviolent mayhem against Nazi forces. This year, the studio released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed addition to the series. Although it doesn't reinvent the gameplay, Resistance remains a well-constructed serving of simulation World War II open environments filled with enemy objectives. The sniping is as visceral and satisfying as always, with the game's trademark killcam displaying each shot's impact in graphic, testicle-crunching clarity. It's a violent thrill for every pacifist looking to let off steam in the security of a digital space.

1000xResist

1000xResist presents an award-winning story touching on post-pandemic existence, generational trauma, and other deep themes. It examines these themes through a science fiction lens; you assume the role of Watcher, one of multiple clones of Iris, the sole survivor of a global outbreak that eradicated humanity. Watcher and her sister clones explore Iris's recollections from when Earth was ravaged by that terrible plague, as well as experiences of her education and home life, both of which were bearable for a teenager. Watcher discovers Iris isn't all that she seems, and the plot unfolds from that point. If all that mystery fails to hook you, the game does start with a murder. What could be a more gripping opening than this?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, finishing a gazillion-hour RPG in just over a week is a tall order, but if there's any game deserving attempting the grind for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's HD-2D gem is leaving Game Pass at the end of November (as is the original game, which is also included). But, with a holiday in the midst, at least for those in the States, it's technically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows eight protagonists, each representing a distinct story style. There's a investigative story about a cleric investigating the death of his church's archbishop. A trader aiming to solve poverty through the force of capitalism headlines a western-themed narrative. There's even a mystery about an herbalist with amnesia (because all great RPGs require a hero with an unknown past, naturally). Some of these plots connect in unexpected, intriguing ways, as you play through a stunning Industrial Revolution inspired setting. And the battle system is excellent — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its essence.