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Following the latest cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial uproar has calmed down. While it might not be seen as the absolute best deal in gaming anymore, the platform has introduced a number of big-name launch day games lately, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those titles further enrich a massive library of numerous games perfect for weekend-long gaming binges.

This week's picks include a cathartic action game, an award-winning independent masterpiece, and a must-play HD-2D RPG.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

From time to time, everyone needs a bit of release. For 20 years, the Sniper Elite series has delivered precisely that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter line presents players intensely graphic carnage against Nazi forces. This year, the studio launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed new entry to the franchise. Although it doesn't reinvent the formula, Resistance remains a well-constructed serving of simulation World War II open environments packed with Nazi objectives. The sniping is as visceral and gratifying as ever, featuring the game's signature killcam displaying each shot's impact in graphic, explicit clarity. It's a violent thrill for any peace-lover looking to let off steam in the safety of a digital space.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist tells an critically acclaimed narrative exploring post-pandemic existence, generational trauma, and much more. It examines these themes through a science fiction perspective; you play as Watcher, a member of several clones of Iris, the only person left of a pandemic that wiped out humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones delve into Iris's recollections from when Earth was ravaged by that horrific plague, as well as memories of her education and family life, both of which were easy for a teenager. Watcher discovers Iris isn't all that she seems, and the story develops from there. Should all that intrigue isn't enough to hook you, the game indeed begin with a murder. What could be a more compelling start than this?

Octopath Traveler 2

Admittedly, finishing a gazillion-hour RPG in only over a week is a tall order, but if any game deserving trying the effort for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking gem is leaving Game Pass at the close of the month (along with the first game, which is also included). But, with a holiday in the midst, at least for those in the States, it's technically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows 8 protagonists, each representing a different story style. There's a investigative story about a cleric looking into the death of his church's archbishop. A merchant aiming to solve poverty through the force of capitalism headlines a frontier-inspired narrative. There's even a enigma about an apothecary with memory loss (since all great RPGs need a character with an unknown background, naturally). A few of these stories connect in unexpected, fascinating ways, while you progress through a stunning 19th-century themed world. And the combat is excellent — “number go up” boiled to its essence.