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Following the latest price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial commotion has calmed down. Although it might not be seen as the top offer in gaming now, the platform has introduced a number of big-name day-one releases lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These additions further enrich a massive collection of hundreds games perfect for weekend-long marathon sessions.

Our current recommendations feature a cathartic shooter, an award-winning indie gem, and a essential HD-2D RPG.

Resistance: Sniper Elite

From time to time, everyone needs a bit of catharsis. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite franchise has provided exactly that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter line offers players intensely graphic mayhem against Nazi forces. Recently, the studio launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed addition to the franchise. Although it doesn't revolutionize the formula, Resistance is a polished serving of simulation World War II sandboxes packed with enemy objectives. The sniping is as visceral and satisfying as always, with the game's signature killcam showing every bullet's impact in graphic, explicit clarity. It's a bloody thrill for any peace-lover looking to unwind in the safety of a virtual space.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist tells an award-winning narrative exploring post-pandemic existence, generational pain, and other deep themes. It examines these themes through a science fiction perspective; you assume the role of Watcher, a member of multiple clones of Iris, the only person left of a global outbreak that eradicated humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones delve into Iris's recollections from the time Earth was ravaged by that terrible disease, as well as experiences of her school and family life, neither of which were bearable for a teenager. Watcher learns Iris is not what she appears, and the story unfolds from that point. If all that intrigue isn't enough to hook you, the game indeed begin with a murder. Is there a more compelling start than this?

Octopath Traveler 2

Admittedly, finishing a gazillion-hour RPG in only nine days is a challenging task, but if any game worth attempting the effort for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's HD-2D gem is departing Game Pass at the end of November (as is the original game, also available). However, with a holiday in the midst, at least for players in the States, it's technically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows 8 protagonists, every one representing a distinct story style. You'll find a investigative story about a cleric looking into the murder of his cathedral's archbishop. A trader striving to eradicate poverty through the power of commerce stars in a frontier-inspired adventure. Additionally, there's a enigma about an apothecary with amnesia (because every good RPGs need a character with an mysterious past, naturally). A few of these plots connect in surprising, fascinating ways, while you progress through a stunning 19th-century themed setting. And the battle system is superb — “number go up” distilled to its essence.