🔗 Share this article

After the latest cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier commotion has calmed down. Although it may not be seen as the absolute best deal in gaming now, the platform has introduced a number of big-name launch day releases lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These titles only enhance a massive library of hundreds games perfect for weekend gaming binges.

Our current recommendations feature a therapeutic action game, an prize-winning indie gem, and a must-play HD-2D RPG.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

Every so often, we all require a bit of catharsis. For 20 years, the Sniper Elite series has provided exactly that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter series presents players intensely graphic mayhem against enemy targets. Recently, the studio released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely addition to the franchise. Although it doesn't reinvent the formula, Resistance is a well-constructed dose of simulation World War II open environments packed with enemy targets. The long-range combat is as brutal and satisfying as ever, featuring the game's signature killcam displaying every bullet's impact in graphic, testicle-crunching detail. It's a bloody excitement for every pacifist looking to let off steam in the safety of a virtual world.

1000xResist

1000xResist presents an award-winning story exploring post-pandemic life, generational trauma, and much more. It examines these themes through a sci-fi lens; you assume the role of Watcher, one of several clones of Iris, the sole survivor of a pandemic that wiped out humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones delve into Iris's memories from the time Earth was ravaged by that terrible plague, along with experiences of her school and home life, neither of which were easy for a young person. Watcher learns Iris isn't all that she seems, and the plot develops from there. Should all that intrigue isn't enough to hook you, the game indeed start with a murder. What could be a more gripping start than this?

Octopath Traveler 2

Yes, completing a extremely long RPG in just over a week is a challenging task, but if there's any game worth attempting the effort for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking gem is departing Game Pass at the close of the month (along with the original game, also available). However, due to a break in the middle, at least for those in the States, it's technically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 features 8 characters, each embodying a distinct genre. You'll find a investigative story about a priest investigating the death of his cathedral's archbishop. A merchant striving to eradicate destitution through the force of capitalism headlines a western-themed narrative. Additionally, there's a enigma about an apothecary with amnesia (since every good RPGs require a hero with an unknown background, of course). A few of these plots connect in surprising, intriguing ways, while you progress through a stunning 19th-century inspired setting. And the combat is excellent — stat-focused gameplay boiled to its essence.