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Following the recent price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier uproar has subsided. Although it might not be seen as the absolute best deal in gaming now, the platform has introduced several big-name day-one games recently, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These titles further enrich a vast library of numerous games ideal for weekend marathon sessions.

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

Sniper Elite: Resistance

Every so often, we all require a little catharsis. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite franchise has provided precisely that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter line offers players ultraviolent mayhem targeting enemy forces. Recently, the studio launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed addition to the franchise. Although it doesn't revolutionize the formula, Resistance remains a polished dose of simulation World War II open environments packed with enemy objectives. The sniping is as brutal and satisfying as ever, featuring the series' signature killcam displaying every bullet's impact in gory, explicit detail. It's a bloody excitement for any pacifist wanting to let off steam in the security of a digital world.

1000xResist

1000xResist tells an award-winning story exploring post-pandemic existence, family pain, and much more. It examines these themes through a sci-fi perspective; you assume the role of Watcher, one of several clones of Iris, the only survivor of a pandemic that eradicated human life. Watcher and her sister clones delve into Iris's recollections from when Earth was beset by that terrible disease, as well as experiences of her school and family life, both of which were bearable for a young person. Watcher discovers Iris is not what she appears, and the story develops from there. Should all that intrigue fails to hook you, the game does start with a killing. 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 challenging task, but if there's any game worth trying the grind for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking gem is leaving Game Pass at the end of November (as is the first game, which is also included). But, due to a holiday in the middle, at least for those in the U.S., it's theoretically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 features eight characters, every one representing a different story style. You'll find a investigative tale about a cleric looking into the murder of his church's archbishop. A trader striving to solve destitution through the power of commerce headlines a frontier-inspired adventure. There's even a enigma about an herbalist with memory loss (since every good RPGs need a character with an unknown past, of course). A few of these stories connect in unexpected, intriguing ways, as you play through a gorgeous Industrial Revolution themed setting. And the battle system is excellent — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its purest form.