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Following the recent price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier uproar has subsided. While it may not be considered the absolute best deal in gaming now, the platform has introduced a number of high-profile launch day releases recently, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those titles only enhance a vast library of hundreds games perfect for weekend-long gaming binges.

This week's recommendations feature a cathartic shooter, an award-winning independent masterpiece, and a must-play HD-2D RPG.

Resistance: Sniper Elite

From time to time, we all require a bit of catharsis. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite series has delivered precisely that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter line presents players intensely graphic mayhem targeting enemy targets. Recently, the studio released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely addition to the franchise. Although it doesn't reinvent the gameplay, Resistance is a polished serving of immersive sim World War II sandboxes filled with enemy objectives. The sniping is as visceral and satisfying as ever, with the game's signature killcam showing every bullet's effect in graphic, explicit clarity. It's a bloody thrill for every peace-lover wanting to let off steam in the safety of a digital world.

1000xResist

1000xResist tells an award-winning story exploring post-pandemic existence, family trauma, and other deep themes. It examines these themes through a sci-fi lens; you assume the role of Watcher, a member of multiple clones of Iris, the only person left of a pandemic that wiped out humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones delve into Iris's memories from when Earth was ravaged by that terrible disease, along with experiences of her school and home life, neither of which were bearable for a teenager. Watcher learns Iris is not all that she seems, and the plot develops from there. Should all that mystery fails to hook you, the game indeed begin with a killing. What could be a more compelling opening than this?

Octopath Traveler II

Admittedly, completing a gazillion-hour RPG in just nine days is a challenging task, but if there's any game deserving attempting 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, which is also included). But, with a holiday in the midst, at least for players in the U.S., it's theoretically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows 8 protagonists, each representing a different story style. There's a procedural story about a priest investigating the death of his church's head priest. A merchant striving to eradicate destitution through the force of commerce stars in a frontier-inspired narrative. Additionally, there's a enigma about an herbalist with memory loss (because every good RPGs require a hero with an unknown background, naturally). Some of these plots connect in unexpected, fascinating ways, while you progress through a stunning Industrial Revolution inspired setting. And the battle system is excellent — “number go up” boiled to its purest form.