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After the latest price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial commotion has subsided. Although it may not be considered the top deal in gaming now, the service has welcomed a number of high-profile launch day games recently, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These additions further enrich a vast collection of hundreds games ideal for weekend-long marathon sessions.

This week's picks include a cathartic shooter, an award-winning indie gem, and a must-play HD-2D RPG.

Resistance: Sniper Elite

Every so often, everyone needs a little release. For 20 years, the Sniper Elite franchise has provided precisely that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter line presents players ultraviolent carnage against enemy forces. This year, Rebellion released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed addition to the series. While it doesn't revolutionize the gameplay, Resistance remains a well-constructed serving of immersive sim World War II sandboxes packed with Nazi targets. The sniping is as visceral and satisfying as always, with the series' trademark killcam displaying each shot's impact in graphic, testicle-crunching detail. It's a violent thrill for every pacifist looking to let off steam in the safety of a digital space.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist tells an award-winning story exploring post-pandemic existence, family pain, and other deep themes. It approaches these subjects through a sci-fi perspective; you assume the role of Watcher, a member of several clones of Iris, the sole survivor of a pandemic that eradicated human life. Watcher and her sister clones delve into Iris's memories from when Earth was beset by that horrific plague, along with memories of her school and home life, both of which were easy for a teenager. Watcher learns Iris is not what she appears, and the plot unfolds from there. Should all that mystery isn't enough to grab your interest, the game indeed begin with a killing. Is there a more gripping start than this?

Octopath Traveler 2

Yes, finishing a extremely long RPG in only nine days is a challenging task, but if there's any game deserving trying the grind for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking masterpiece is leaving Game Pass at the end of November (as is the original game, which is also included). However, due to a break in the midst, at least for those in the U.S., it's technically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 features 8 characters, every one embodying a distinct genre. There's a procedural tale about a cleric investigating the murder of his church's head priest. A merchant aiming to solve poverty through the force of capitalism headlines a western-themed narrative. There's even a enigma about an apothecary with amnesia (because every good RPGs need a hero with an mysterious past, naturally). A few of these stories intertwine in surprising, fascinating ways, as you play through a gorgeous Industrial Revolution inspired world. And the battle system is excellent — “number go up” distilled to its purest form.