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After the recent price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier commotion has subsided. While it may not be considered the absolute best deal in gaming now, the platform has introduced a number of high-profile day-one games recently, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These additions further enrich a vast library of numerous games ideal for weekend-long marathon sessions.

Our current picks include a cathartic 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 bit of release. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite series has provided precisely that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter line presents players ultraviolent carnage against Nazi forces. Recently, the studio released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely addition to the franchise. While it doesn't revolutionize the formula, Resistance is a polished serving of immersive sim World War II open environments filled with Nazi targets. The long-range combat is as brutal and gratifying as ever, featuring the game's signature killcam displaying each shot's effect in gory, testicle-crunching detail. It's a bloody excitement for any peace-lover looking to let off steam in the security of a digital space.

1000xResist

1000xResist presents an award-winning narrative touching on life after a pandemic existence, family pain, and other deep themes. It examines these themes through a science fiction perspective; you assume the role of Watcher, one of several clones of Iris, the only survivor of a global outbreak that eradicated humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones delve into Iris's recollections from when Earth was ravaged by that horrific disease, as well as experiences of her school and family life, both of which were easy for a young person. Watcher learns Iris isn't what she appears, and the story unfolds from that point. If all that mystery isn't enough to hook you, the game does begin with a killing. What could be a more gripping start than this?

Octopath Traveler 2

Admittedly, completing a extremely long RPG in only nine days is a challenging task, but if any game worth trying the effort for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking masterpiece is departing Game Pass at the end of November (as is the original game, which is also included). But, due to a break in the midst, at least for those in the U.S., it's technically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows eight characters, each embodying a distinct genre. You'll find a investigative tale about a cleric looking into the murder of his cathedral's head priest. A trader aiming to eradicate poverty through the power of capitalism headlines a frontier-inspired adventure. Additionally, there's a mystery about an herbalist with memory loss (because every good RPGs require a character with an unknown background, of course). Some of these stories connect in surprising, intriguing ways, as you play through a gorgeous 19th-century themed world. And the battle system is excellent — stat-focused gameplay boiled to its purest form.