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Following the latest price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier commotion has subsided. While it might not be considered the top deal in gaming now, the platform has introduced a number of big-name launch day games recently, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those additions only enhance a massive library of numerous games ideal for weekend-long gaming binges.

This week's picks include a cathartic action game, an prize-winning independent gem, and a essential HD-2D RPG.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

Every so often, everyone needs a little catharsis. For 20 years, the Sniper Elite franchise has delivered precisely that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter line presents players intensely graphic carnage against Nazi forces. This year, Rebellion launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely addition to the series. Although it doesn't revolutionize the gameplay, Resistance remains a polished dose of immersive sim World War II open environments packed with enemy objectives. The long-range combat is as visceral and satisfying as always, featuring the game's trademark killcam showing each shot's effect in graphic, testicle-crunching clarity. It's a violent excitement for any pacifist looking to unwind in the safety of a digital space.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist tells an award-winning story touching on life after a pandemic existence, family pain, and much more. It examines these subjects through a science fiction lens; you play as Watcher, one of several clones of Iris, the only person left of a global outbreak that eradicated humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones explore Iris's recollections from when Earth was beset by that terrible disease, along with memories of her education 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 intrigue fails to hook you, the game indeed start with a killing. Is there a more gripping opening than this?

Octopath Traveler 2

Admittedly, finishing a gazillion-hour RPG in only nine days is a tall order, but if there's any game deserving trying the grind for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking gem is leaving Game Pass at the close of the month (along with the original game, also available). But, with a holiday in the midst, at least for those in the U.S., it's technically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 features 8 protagonists, each representing a distinct genre. There's a procedural tale about a priest investigating the murder of his church's archbishop. A trader aiming to solve destitution through the force of commerce stars in a frontier-inspired adventure. Additionally, there's a mystery about an herbalist with memory loss (since all great RPGs require a hero with an mysterious past, of course). A few of these stories connect in unexpected, fascinating ways, as you play through a gorgeous Industrial Revolution themed setting. And the combat is superb — “number go up” distilled to its essence.