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Following the recent cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial uproar has subsided. Although it may not be considered the absolute best offer in gaming now, the platform has introduced a number of high-profile launch day games recently, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These titles further enrich a massive collection of hundreds games ideal for weekend marathon sessions.

Our current picks feature a therapeutic action game, an award-winning independent masterpiece, and a must-play HD-2D RPG.

Resistance: Sniper Elite

Every so often, we all require a little release. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite series has delivered precisely that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter line offers players intensely graphic mayhem targeting Nazi targets. Recently, the studio launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely new entry to the franchise. Although it doesn't reinvent the formula, Resistance is a polished serving of immersive sim World War II sandboxes packed with Nazi objectives. The long-range combat is as brutal and satisfying as always, with the game's signature killcam showing each shot's effect in graphic, testicle-crunching clarity. It's a bloody thrill for any peace-lover wanting to unwind in the safety of a virtual space.

1000xResist

1000xResist presents an award-winning story touching on post-pandemic life, generational trauma, and much more. It examines these themes through a science fiction perspective; you assume the role of Watcher, a member of several clones of Iris, the sole survivor of a global outbreak that eradicated humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones delve into Iris's recollections from when Earth was beset by that terrible disease, along with experiences of her school and home life, both of which were bearable for a young person. Watcher discovers Iris isn't all that she seems, and the story develops from that point. If all that mystery fails to hook you, the game indeed begin with a killing. Is there a more compelling opening than that?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, completing a gazillion-hour RPG in just over a week is a challenging task, but if there's any game deserving attempting the grind 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 midst, at least for players in the U.S., it's theoretically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 features eight characters, every one embodying a distinct genre. You'll find a investigative tale about a priest looking into the death of his church's archbishop. A merchant aiming to solve poverty through the force of commerce stars in a frontier-inspired adventure. Additionally, there's a enigma about an apothecary with amnesia (since all great RPGs require a hero with an mysterious background, of course). Some of these plots intertwine in surprising, fascinating ways, as you play through a stunning Industrial Revolution inspired setting. And the battle system is excellent — “number go up” boiled to its purest form.