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Following the recent price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier commotion has subsided. Although it may not be seen as the top deal in gaming anymore, the service has welcomed a number of big-name launch day games lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These titles further enrich a massive collection of hundreds games perfect for weekend-long marathon sessions.

Our current picks include a therapeutic action game, an prize-winning indie gem, and a essential HD-2D RPG.

Resistance: Sniper Elite

Every so often, we all require a bit of catharsis. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite series has delivered exactly that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter series presents players ultraviolent mayhem targeting Nazi forces. This year, the studio launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed addition to the franchise. While it doesn't reinvent the gameplay, Resistance remains a polished dose of immersive sim World War II sandboxes packed with Nazi objectives. The long-range combat is as brutal and gratifying as ever, with the series' signature killcam displaying each shot's impact in gory, testicle-crunching clarity. It's a bloody thrill for every peace-lover wanting to let off steam in the security of a digital space.

1000xResist

1000xResist presents an award-winning story touching on life after a pandemic life, generational pain, and other deep themes. It examines these subjects through a science fiction lens; you assume the role of Watcher, a member of several clones of Iris, the sole person left of a pandemic that eradicated human life. Watcher and her sister clones delve into Iris's memories from the time Earth was ravaged by that terrible disease, along with memories of her school and home life, both of which were bearable for a young person. Watcher discovers Iris isn't what she appears, and the story develops from there. Should all that mystery fails to grab your interest, the game indeed begin with a killing. What could be a more gripping opening than that?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, finishing a extremely long RPG in only nine days is a tall order, but if any game deserving trying the effort for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking gem is leaving Game Pass at the close of the month (as is the first game, also available). However, due to a break in the midst, at least for those in the States, it's technically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 features 8 characters, each representing a distinct story style. There's a procedural tale about a cleric looking into the death of his cathedral's head priest. A merchant aiming to solve destitution through the power of capitalism headlines a western-themed adventure. There's even a mystery about an herbalist with amnesia (since every good RPGs require a character with an unknown background, naturally). Some of these plots connect in surprising, fascinating ways, while you progress through a gorgeous 19th-century inspired world. And the battle system is excellent — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its purest form.