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After the latest cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier uproar has subsided. Although it may not be seen as the absolute best offer in gaming now, the service has welcomed several big-name launch day games lately, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These additions further enrich a massive library of hundreds games perfect for weekend marathon sessions.

This week's recommendations feature a therapeutic shooter, an prize-winning indie gem, and a must-play HD-2D RPG.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

From time to time, everyone needs a bit of release. For 20 years, the Sniper Elite franchise has delivered exactly that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter series presents players ultraviolent mayhem against enemy targets. Recently, the studio released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed addition to the series. While it doesn't reinvent the formula, Resistance is a well-constructed serving of immersive sim World War II sandboxes packed with enemy objectives. The sniping is as visceral and satisfying as always, with the game's trademark killcam showing each shot's impact in graphic, explicit detail. It's a violent thrill for every peace-lover wanting to let off steam in the safety of a virtual space.

1000xResist

1000xResist tells an award-winning narrative exploring post-pandemic life, family trauma, and other deep themes. It examines these themes through a science fiction lens; you assume the role of Watcher, a member of several clones of Iris, the only survivor of a global outbreak that wiped out human life. Watcher and her fellow clones delve into Iris's recollections from the time Earth was ravaged by that terrible disease, as well as memories of her education and home life, both of which were bearable for a teenager. Watcher discovers Iris is not what she appears, and the story unfolds from that point. Should all that intrigue fails to hook you, the game does start with a killing. Is there a more compelling opening than this?

Octopath Traveler 2

Admittedly, completing a extremely long RPG in just over a week is a challenging task, but if there's any game worth attempting the effort 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, which is also included). But, with a break in the middle, at least for those in the U.S., it's theoretically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows eight protagonists, each representing a different story style. You'll find a investigative story about a priest looking into the murder of his cathedral's head priest. A trader aiming to solve poverty through the power of capitalism headlines a western-themed adventure. Additionally, there's a enigma about an herbalist with amnesia (since all great RPGs need a hero with an unknown background, naturally). A few of these plots connect in unexpected, intriguing ways, as you play through a gorgeous 19th-century inspired world. And the battle system is excellent — stat-focused gameplay boiled to its essence.