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Following the latest cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial commotion has calmed down. While it might not be considered the absolute best deal in gaming now, the platform has welcomed several big-name launch day releases lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those additions further enrich a massive collection of hundreds games ideal for weekend marathon sessions.

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

Resistance: Sniper Elite

From time to time, we all require a little release. For 20 years, the Sniper Elite franchise has delivered exactly that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter series presents players intensely graphic carnage targeting Nazi forces. This year, the studio launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely new entry to the franchise. Although it doesn't revolutionize the gameplay, Resistance is a well-constructed dose of immersive sim World War II open environments filled with enemy targets. The sniping is as visceral and satisfying as ever, with the game's trademark killcam displaying every bullet's effect in gory, testicle-crunching clarity. It's a violent thrill for any pacifist wanting to unwind in the security of a virtual world.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist tells an award-winning story exploring life after a pandemic life, family pain, and much more. It examines these subjects through a science fiction lens; you assume the role of Watcher, a member of multiple clones of Iris, the sole person left of a pandemic that wiped out humanity. Watcher and her sister clones delve into Iris's memories from when Earth was beset by that horrific disease, along with memories of her school and home life, neither of which were easy for a teenager. Watcher discovers Iris isn't what she appears, and the story unfolds from there. Should all that mystery isn't enough to hook you, the game does begin with a murder. What could be a more compelling opening than this?

Octopath Traveler 2

Yes, finishing 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 masterpiece is leaving Game Pass at the close of the month (along with the first game, which is also included). However, due to a break in the middle, at least for those in the States, it's technically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 features 8 characters, every one representing a distinct story style. There's a investigative story about a priest looking into the death of his cathedral's head priest. A trader striving to solve poverty through the force of commerce headlines a western-themed adventure. There's even a enigma about an apothecary with memory loss (because all great RPGs need a character with an mysterious background, of course). A few of these stories connect in unexpected, intriguing ways, while you progress through a stunning Industrial Revolution themed setting. And the combat is excellent — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its essence.