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After the recent cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier commotion has subsided. Although it may not be considered the top offer in gaming now, the service has introduced several big-name day-one releases recently, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those titles further enrich a vast library of numerous games ideal for weekend marathon sessions.

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

Sniper Elite: Resistance

From time to time, we all require a bit of release. For 20 years, the Sniper Elite series has provided exactly that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter series presents players intensely graphic mayhem targeting Nazi targets. This year, the studio launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed new entry to the franchise. While it doesn't reinvent the formula, Resistance remains a well-constructed serving of immersive sim World War II open environments filled with Nazi objectives. The long-range combat is as brutal and gratifying as ever, featuring the series' signature killcam showing each shot's effect in graphic, testicle-crunching clarity. It's a violent thrill for every peace-lover wanting to unwind in the safety of a digital world.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist tells an critically acclaimed narrative touching on post-pandemic existence, family trauma, and other deep themes. It approaches these subjects through a science fiction perspective; you play as Watcher, a member of several clones of Iris, the only person left of a global outbreak that eradicated humanity. Watcher and her sister clones explore Iris's memories from the time Earth was beset by that horrific plague, along with experiences of her education and home life, neither of which were bearable for a young person. Watcher discovers Iris is not what she appears, and the plot develops from there. If all that intrigue fails to grab your interest, the game indeed begin with a murder. Is there a more compelling start than that?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, finishing a gazillion-hour RPG in just nine days is a tall order, but if any game deserving trying the grind for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking masterpiece is departing Game Pass at the end of November (along with the original game, also available). But, due to a holiday in the midst, at least for players in the States, it's theoretically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows eight protagonists, every one representing a distinct story style. You'll find a investigative tale about a priest looking into the death of his church's archbishop. A merchant striving to solve poverty through the power of capitalism stars in a frontier-inspired adventure. Additionally, there's a enigma about an herbalist with amnesia (since all great RPGs require a hero with an mysterious past, naturally). A few of these stories intertwine in unexpected, fascinating ways, while you progress through a stunning 19th-century themed setting. And the battle system is superb — stat-focused gameplay boiled to its purest form.