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Following the recent cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial commotion has subsided. While it might not be seen as the absolute best deal in gaming anymore, the platform has welcomed several big-name day-one releases recently, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those titles only enhance a massive collection of numerous games perfect for weekend gaming binges.

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

Sniper Elite: Resistance

Every so often, we all require a bit of catharsis. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite franchise has delivered precisely that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter series offers players intensely graphic mayhem targeting Nazi targets. Recently, Rebellion launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed new entry to the series. While it doesn't revolutionize the gameplay, Resistance remains a well-constructed serving of simulation World War II sandboxes filled with Nazi objectives. The long-range combat is as visceral and satisfying as always, featuring the series' signature killcam showing every bullet's impact in gory, explicit detail. It's a bloody excitement for any peace-lover looking to let off steam in the security of a virtual world.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist presents an critically acclaimed narrative touching on life after a pandemic life, family trauma, and much more. It examines these subjects through a sci-fi lens; you play as Watcher, one of several clones of Iris, the sole person left of a pandemic that eradicated human life. Watcher and her sister clones delve into Iris's memories from the time Earth was beset by that horrific plague, as well as experiences of her education and family life, neither of which were easy for a young person. Watcher discovers Iris is not all that she seems, and the plot unfolds from that point. If all that mystery fails to hook you, the game indeed begin with a murder. Is there a more gripping start than this?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, completing a extremely long RPG in just over a week is a tall order, but if there's any game deserving attempting the grind for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's HD-2D gem is leaving Game Pass at the close of the month (along with the first game, which is also included). However, with a holiday in the midst, at least for those in the States, it's theoretically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 features 8 protagonists, each representing a distinct genre. There's a investigative story about a cleric looking into the murder of his cathedral's head priest. A trader striving to solve poverty through the power of capitalism headlines a frontier-inspired adventure. Additionally, there's a enigma about an herbalist with memory loss (since every good RPGs require a hero with an unknown background, naturally). Some of these plots intertwine in unexpected, fascinating ways, as you play through a stunning Industrial Revolution inspired setting. And the battle system is superb — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its essence.