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After the recent price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial commotion has subsided. Although it may not be seen as the absolute best offer in gaming anymore, the platform has welcomed several high-profile day-one releases lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These additions further enrich a vast library of numerous games ideal for weekend-long gaming binges.

This week's recommendations feature a cathartic action game, an prize-winning indie masterpiece, and a essential HD-2D RPG.

Resistance: Sniper Elite

From time to time, we all require a bit of release. For 20 years, the Sniper Elite franchise has provided precisely that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter series offers players ultraviolent carnage against Nazi targets. Recently, Rebellion launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed new entry to the franchise. While it doesn't revolutionize the formula, Resistance is a polished dose of immersive sim World War II sandboxes packed with Nazi targets. The sniping is as visceral and satisfying as always, with the series' trademark killcam showing every bullet's effect in gory, testicle-crunching detail. It's a violent excitement for every peace-lover looking to unwind in the security of a virtual world.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist presents an award-winning story exploring life after a pandemic life, generational pain, and other deep themes. It approaches these subjects through a sci-fi perspective; you play as Watcher, a member of multiple clones of Iris, the only person left of a pandemic that eradicated humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones explore Iris's recollections from when Earth was ravaged by that horrific disease, along with memories of her school and home life, both of which were bearable for a young person. Watcher discovers Iris is not what she appears, and the plot develops from there. Should all that intrigue fails to grab your interest, the game indeed begin with a murder. Is there a more gripping opening than this?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, finishing a extremely long RPG in just nine days is a tall order, but if there's any game worth trying the effort for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's HD-2D masterpiece is leaving Game Pass at the close of the month (along with the first game, also available). However, with a break in the midst, at least for those in the U.S., it's technically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows eight protagonists, every one embodying a different story style. There's a procedural story about a priest investigating the death of his church's archbishop. A merchant striving to solve poverty through the force of capitalism stars in a western-themed adventure. Additionally, there's a enigma about an herbalist with memory loss (since all great RPGs require a character with an unknown past, of course). Some of these plots connect in surprising, fascinating ways, while you progress through a stunning Industrial Revolution themed setting. And the combat is excellent — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its purest form.