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After the latest cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier uproar has subsided. Although it might not be considered the top offer in gaming now, the service has introduced a number of big-name day-one games recently, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These additions only enhance a vast collection of numerous games perfect for weekend gaming binges.

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

Sniper Elite: Resistance

From time to time, we all require a little catharsis. For 20 years, the Sniper Elite franchise has provided precisely that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter series offers players ultraviolent carnage against enemy forces. This year, Rebellion released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely addition to the series. While it doesn't revolutionize the formula, Resistance remains a well-constructed serving of simulation World War II sandboxes packed with enemy objectives. The long-range combat is as visceral and gratifying as always, featuring the game's trademark killcam displaying each shot's impact in graphic, testicle-crunching detail. It's a violent excitement for any peace-lover wanting to unwind in the security of a virtual world.

1000xResist

1000xResist tells an critically acclaimed story touching on post-pandemic life, family trauma, and other deep themes. It approaches these subjects through a sci-fi perspective; you assume the role of Watcher, a member of several clones of Iris, the sole person left of a pandemic that wiped out human life. Watcher and her fellow clones delve into Iris's recollections from when Earth was beset by that terrible disease, along with experiences of her school and family life, both of which were bearable for a teenager. Watcher learns Iris isn't what she appears, and the story unfolds from that point. If all that intrigue fails to hook you, the game does begin with a murder. What could be a more compelling start than this?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, finishing a extremely long RPG in only nine days is a challenging task, but if there's any game worth attempting the grind for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking masterpiece is departing Game Pass at the end of November (along with the original game, also available). But, due to a break in the midst, at least for players in the States, it's technically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 features 8 protagonists, each embodying a distinct story style. You'll find a procedural tale about a cleric investigating the death of his church's archbishop. A merchant aiming to solve poverty through the power of capitalism stars in a western-themed adventure. There's even a mystery about an herbalist with amnesia (because all great RPGs require a hero with an mysterious background, naturally). Some of these stories intertwine in surprising, fascinating ways, while you progress through a stunning 19th-century inspired world. And the battle system is superb — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its essence.