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After the latest price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier uproar has subsided. Although it might not be seen as the top offer in gaming now, the platform has introduced several big-name day-one games recently, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These additions only enhance a massive collection of hundreds games ideal for weekend marathon sessions.

This week's recommendations feature a therapeutic action game, an award-winning independent masterpiece, and a must-play HD-2D RPG.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

Every so often, we all require a little release. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite series has delivered exactly that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter series offers players intensely graphic mayhem targeting enemy forces. Recently, the studio released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed addition to the franchise. While it doesn't revolutionize the formula, Resistance is a polished dose of immersive sim World War II open environments filled with Nazi objectives. The long-range combat is as visceral and satisfying as always, with the series' signature killcam displaying each shot's impact in gory, explicit detail. It's a bloody thrill for every peace-lover wanting to unwind in the safety of a virtual world.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist presents an critically acclaimed narrative touching on life after a pandemic life, generational pain, and much more. It examines these subjects through a science fiction perspective; you play as 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 recollections from when Earth was ravaged by that terrible plague, as well as experiences of her school and family life, both of which were easy for a young person. Watcher learns Iris is not all that she seems, and the plot unfolds from that point. Should all that intrigue fails to hook you, the game indeed start with a murder. What could be a more gripping opening than that?

Octopath Traveler 2

Yes, completing a gazillion-hour RPG in only nine days is a tall order, but if there's any game worth attempting the effort for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's HD-2D masterpiece is departing Game Pass at the end of November (along with the original game, also available). However, due to a break in the midst, at least for those in the U.S., it's theoretically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows eight characters, each embodying a distinct genre. You'll find a investigative tale about a priest investigating the death of his church's archbishop. A merchant aiming to eradicate poverty through the power of commerce stars in a western-themed narrative. Additionally, there's a mystery about an apothecary with memory loss (since all great RPGs need a hero with an unknown background, naturally). A few of these stories intertwine in surprising, intriguing ways, while you progress through a stunning 19th-century themed setting. And the combat is excellent — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its essence.