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Following the latest price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial uproar has subsided. Although it might not be considered the absolute best offer in gaming anymore, the service has introduced a number of high-profile day-one releases lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those titles further enrich a massive collection of numerous games ideal for weekend-long gaming binges.

Our current picks feature a therapeutic shooter, an prize-winning independent gem, and a must-play HD-2D RPG.

Resistance: Sniper Elite

Every so often, everyone needs a little catharsis. For 20 years, the Sniper Elite franchise has provided precisely that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter series presents players intensely graphic carnage against enemy forces. This year, the studio released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely addition to the series. Although it doesn't reinvent the gameplay, Resistance is a polished serving of simulation World War II open environments packed with Nazi targets. The sniping is as visceral and satisfying as always, with the series' trademark killcam displaying each shot's impact in gory, explicit clarity. It's a bloody thrill for every pacifist wanting to unwind in the security of a virtual space.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist tells an critically acclaimed narrative exploring post-pandemic life, family trauma, and other deep themes. It examines these themes through a science fiction perspective; you assume the role of Watcher, a member of multiple clones of Iris, the sole person left of a global outbreak that wiped out human life. Watcher and her sister clones delve into Iris's memories from when Earth was beset by that terrible disease, along with experiences 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 story unfolds from that point. Should all that intrigue fails to grab your interest, the game indeed begin with a murder. What could be a more gripping start than that?

Octopath Traveler 2

Yes, completing a gazillion-hour RPG in just over a week is a tall order, but if any game deserving attempting the grind for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking gem is departing Game Pass at the close of the month (along with the first game, which is also included). However, due to a holiday in the midst, at least for those in the U.S., it's technically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 features 8 protagonists, every one representing a distinct genre. You'll find a investigative tale about a priest looking into the murder of his church's head priest. A merchant aiming to eradicate poverty through the force of commerce stars in a western-themed narrative. There's even a mystery about an apothecary with amnesia (since all great RPGs need a character with an unknown background, of course). A few of these stories intertwine in unexpected, intriguing ways, as you play through a stunning 19th-century themed setting. And the battle system is excellent — “number go up” distilled to its purest form.