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Following the latest price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial commotion has calmed down. Although it might not be seen as the absolute best offer in gaming now, the platform has introduced a number of high-profile day-one games recently, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those titles further enrich a vast library of numerous games perfect for weekend-long marathon sessions.

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

Sniper Elite: Resistance

Every so often, everyone needs a little release. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite franchise has delivered precisely that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter series offers players intensely graphic carnage against Nazi targets. This year, Rebellion launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed new entry to the franchise. While it doesn't reinvent the formula, Resistance is a well-constructed serving of simulation World War II sandboxes filled with enemy objectives. The long-range combat is as brutal and satisfying as ever, featuring the series' trademark killcam displaying every bullet's effect in gory, testicle-crunching clarity. It's a bloody thrill for every pacifist looking to let off steam in the safety of a digital world.

1000xResist

1000xResist presents an critically acclaimed story exploring life after a pandemic life, generational trauma, and much more. It approaches these themes through a science fiction perspective; you assume the role of Watcher, one of several clones of Iris, the sole person left of a pandemic that eradicated humanity. Watcher and her sister clones explore Iris's recollections from the time Earth was beset by that terrible plague, along with experiences of her school and family life, both of which were bearable for a young person. Watcher learns Iris is not all that she seems, and the story unfolds from there. If all that mystery fails to grab your interest, the game indeed begin with a killing. What could be a more gripping start than this?

Octopath Traveler II

Admittedly, completing a gazillion-hour RPG in only over a week is a tall order, but if any game deserving attempting the effort for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's HD-2D masterpiece is leaving Game Pass at the end of November (along with the original game, which is also included). But, due to a break in the midst, at least for players in the States, it's technically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows 8 protagonists, each representing a different genre. You'll find a investigative story about a priest looking into the death of his cathedral's archbishop. A trader striving to eradicate poverty through the force of capitalism stars in a western-themed adventure. There's even a enigma about an apothecary with amnesia (since all great RPGs require a hero with an mysterious past, of course). A few of these stories connect in unexpected, intriguing ways, as you play through a gorgeous Industrial Revolution inspired setting. And the battle system is excellent — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its purest form.