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Following the recent cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial uproar has calmed down. While it might not be considered the absolute best deal in gaming anymore, the platform has introduced several big-name day-one releases lately, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those additions only enhance a massive library of hundreds games perfect for weekend-long marathon sessions.

Our current recommendations include a therapeutic action game, an prize-winning indie masterpiece, and a must-play HD-2D RPG.

Resistance: Sniper Elite

Every so often, everyone needs a bit of release. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite series has delivered precisely that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter series presents players ultraviolent mayhem against enemy forces. This year, the studio released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed new entry to the series. While it doesn't revolutionize the gameplay, Resistance is a well-constructed serving of simulation World War II open environments packed with enemy objectives. The long-range combat is as visceral and satisfying as ever, featuring the series' signature killcam displaying each shot's effect in graphic, explicit clarity. It's a violent thrill for any pacifist looking to let off steam in the safety of a digital world.

1000xResist

1000xResist tells an critically acclaimed narrative touching on life after a pandemic life, family pain, and other deep themes. It examines these subjects through a sci-fi perspective; you assume the role of Watcher, one of several clones of Iris, the only survivor of a global outbreak that eradicated human life. Watcher and her fellow clones delve into Iris's recollections from the time Earth was beset by that terrible plague, as well as memories of her school and family life, both of which were bearable for a young person. Watcher discovers Iris is not what she appears, and the plot unfolds from there. If all that intrigue isn't enough to grab your interest, the game does start with a killing. Is there a more gripping start than that?

Octopath Traveler II

Admittedly, finishing a extremely long RPG in only nine days is a challenging task, but if any game deserving attempting the grind for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking masterpiece is leaving Game Pass at the end of November (along with the first game, also available). However, with a holiday in the midst, at least for players in the U.S., it's theoretically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows 8 protagonists, each embodying a distinct story style. You'll find a investigative tale about a priest looking into the death of his church's head priest. A merchant aiming to eradicate poverty through the force of commerce headlines a western-themed adventure. Additionally, there's a enigma about an apothecary with amnesia (because all great RPGs require a character with an mysterious past, naturally). A few of these stories intertwine in surprising, fascinating ways, as you play through a gorgeous 19th-century themed world. And the combat is superb — “number go up” distilled to its essence.