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After the latest cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial commotion has calmed down. While it may not be seen as the absolute best deal in gaming anymore, the service has introduced several high-profile day-one games lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those additions further enrich a vast collection of numerous games ideal for weekend-long marathon sessions.

This week's recommendations include a cathartic action game, an award-winning indie masterpiece, and a must-play HD-2D RPG.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

Every so often, we all require a little catharsis. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite series has provided exactly that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter line offers players intensely graphic carnage against Nazi targets. This year, Rebellion launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely new entry to the franchise. While it doesn't reinvent the gameplay, Resistance remains a well-constructed dose of immersive sim World War II sandboxes filled with Nazi targets. The sniping is as visceral and gratifying as always, featuring the series' signature killcam displaying each shot's effect in graphic, testicle-crunching detail. It's a violent thrill for any peace-lover wanting to unwind in the safety of a virtual space.

1000xResist

1000xResist tells an critically acclaimed story touching on post-pandemic existence, family trauma, and other deep themes. It examines these subjects through a sci-fi lens; you assume the role of Watcher, one of several clones of Iris, the only person left of a pandemic that wiped out human life. Watcher and her sister clones explore Iris's memories from when Earth was beset by that horrific plague, along with experiences of her education and home life, both of which were easy for a teenager. Watcher learns Iris isn't what she appears, and the plot unfolds from there. If all that mystery isn't enough to grab your interest, the game indeed begin with a murder. Is there a more gripping opening than this?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, completing a gazillion-hour RPG in just over a week is a challenging task, but if 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 first game, also available). But, with a break in the middle, at least for players in the States, it's theoretically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows eight characters, each representing a distinct story style. You'll find a procedural tale about a priest investigating the death of his church's archbishop. A merchant striving to eradicate poverty through the force of capitalism headlines a western-themed narrative. Additionally, there's a mystery about an herbalist with memory loss (since every good RPGs require a character with an unknown background, naturally). A few of these stories connect in unexpected, intriguing ways, while you progress through a stunning Industrial Revolution inspired setting. And the combat is superb — “number go up” boiled to its essence.