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Following the recent cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial commotion has subsided. Although it might not be considered the top deal in gaming now, the service has welcomed several high-profile launch day releases lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These titles only enhance a massive library of numerous games perfect for weekend-long marathon sessions.

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

Resistance: Sniper Elite

From time to time, everyone needs a bit of release. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite franchise has delivered exactly that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter series offers players intensely graphic mayhem targeting enemy forces. Recently, Rebellion launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely addition to the franchise. Although it doesn't revolutionize the formula, Resistance is a polished serving of simulation World War II open environments packed with Nazi objectives. The sniping is as visceral and gratifying as always, with the series' trademark killcam showing every bullet's effect in graphic, testicle-crunching clarity. It's a violent excitement for any pacifist looking to let off steam in the safety of a digital world.

1000xResist

1000xResist tells an critically acclaimed story touching on life after a pandemic life, generational pain, and much more. It examines these subjects through a sci-fi perspective; you play as Watcher, one of several clones of Iris, the only person left 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, along with experiences of her school and home life, both of which were bearable for a young person. Watcher discovers Iris is not what she appears, and the plot unfolds from there. Should all that mystery fails to grab your interest, the game does begin with a killing. Is there a more compelling start than this?

Octopath Traveler 2

Admittedly, finishing a gazillion-hour RPG in just nine days is a tall order, but if there's any game worth 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 (as is the original game, which is also included). But, due to a holiday in the midst, at least for those in the States, it's technically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows eight protagonists, each representing a distinct genre. There's a procedural tale about a cleric looking into the death of his cathedral's head priest. A merchant aiming to eradicate destitution through the force of commerce stars in a western-themed adventure. Additionally, there's a mystery about an apothecary with memory loss (since all great RPGs require a character with an mysterious background, of course). Some of these stories intertwine in surprising, fascinating ways, while you progress through a gorgeous 19th-century themed world. And the battle system is excellent — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its essence.