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After the latest cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial commotion has calmed down. Although it may not be seen as the absolute best deal in gaming now, the service has introduced several big-name day-one releases lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These additions only enhance a massive library of numerous games perfect for weekend-long marathon sessions.

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

Resistance: Sniper Elite

Every so often, everyone needs a bit of catharsis. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite franchise has delivered precisely that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter series presents players intensely graphic mayhem targeting Nazi targets. Recently, the studio released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely addition to the series. Although it doesn't reinvent the formula, Resistance is a well-constructed serving of immersive sim World War II sandboxes packed with Nazi objectives. The long-range combat is as brutal and satisfying as always, featuring the series' trademark killcam displaying every bullet's effect in graphic, explicit clarity. It's a bloody excitement for any pacifist wanting to unwind in the security of a digital world.

1000xResist

1000xResist presents an critically acclaimed story exploring life after a pandemic life, family trauma, and much more. It approaches these subjects through a sci-fi lens; you play as Watcher, a member of multiple clones of Iris, the only person left of a global outbreak that eradicated human life. Watcher and her fellow clones explore Iris's recollections from the time Earth was ravaged by that horrific plague, as well as memories of her school and family life, both of which were bearable for a teenager. Watcher learns Iris isn't what she appears, and the plot develops from that point. If all that mystery fails to hook you, the game does start with a killing. What could be a more gripping start than this?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, finishing a extremely long RPG in only over a week is a challenging task, but if there's any game deserving trying the effort for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's HD-2D masterpiece is leaving Game Pass at the close of the month (along with the original game, also available). But, with a holiday in the middle, at least for players in the U.S., it's technically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows 8 protagonists, every one embodying a different genre. You'll find a investigative story about a priest looking into the death of his church's archbishop. A trader aiming to eradicate destitution through the power of capitalism stars in a frontier-inspired narrative. Additionally, there's a mystery about an apothecary with memory loss (because all great RPGs require a hero with an unknown past, naturally). Some of these plots intertwine in surprising, fascinating ways, while you progress through a stunning Industrial Revolution inspired setting. And the battle system is superb — stat-focused gameplay boiled to its purest form.