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Following the recent price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial commotion has calmed down. While it may not be considered the top deal in gaming now, the service has introduced several high-profile launch day releases recently, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those additions further enrich a massive library of hundreds games ideal for weekend-long gaming binges.

This week's recommendations include a therapeutic shooter, an prize-winning indie masterpiece, and a essential HD-2D RPG.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

Every so often, everyone needs a bit of catharsis. For 20 years, the Sniper Elite franchise has provided exactly that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter series offers players ultraviolent mayhem against enemy targets. This year, Rebellion released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely new entry to the franchise. Although it doesn't revolutionize the formula, Resistance is a well-constructed dose of simulation World War II sandboxes packed with Nazi targets. The sniping is as visceral and satisfying as always, featuring the series' signature killcam displaying each shot's impact in gory, testicle-crunching detail. It's a bloody thrill for any peace-lover looking to unwind in the safety of a digital world.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist presents an critically acclaimed story exploring life after a pandemic existence, generational pain, and other deep themes. It approaches these subjects through a sci-fi lens; you assume the role of Watcher, one of several clones of Iris, the sole person left of a global outbreak that wiped out human life. Watcher and her fellow clones delve into Iris's recollections from the time Earth was beset by that horrific plague, as well as memories of her education and family life, neither of which were bearable for a young person. Watcher learns Iris is not what she appears, and the plot develops from that point. If all that mystery fails to grab your interest, the game indeed start with a killing. What could be a more gripping start than this?

Octopath Traveler 2

Admittedly, finishing a extremely long RPG in only nine days is a tall order, but if there's any game deserving trying the effort for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking masterpiece is leaving Game Pass at the end of November (as is the original game, which is also included). But, due to a holiday in the midst, at least for players in the States, it's technically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows 8 characters, every one embodying a distinct genre. There's a investigative story about a cleric investigating the murder of his cathedral's head priest. A merchant striving to eradicate destitution through the power of capitalism stars in a western-themed adventure. Additionally, there's a enigma about an apothecary with memory loss (because every good RPGs need a character with an unknown past, naturally). Some of these stories connect in surprising, fascinating ways, as you play through a stunning Industrial Revolution inspired setting. And the battle system is excellent — stat-focused gameplay boiled to its essence.