3 Game Pass Titles That Will Justify Your Membership During the Weekend (Nov. 21-23)

Following the latest cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier commotion has calmed down. While it may not be considered the top deal in gaming now, the service has welcomed a number of big-name day-one games lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These titles only enhance a vast collection of hundreds games ideal for weekend-long gaming binges.

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

Sniper Elite: Resistance

Every so often, everyone needs a little release. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite franchise has provided precisely that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter series offers players ultraviolent mayhem targeting Nazi forces. This year, the studio released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a well-timed new entry to the franchise. Although it doesn't revolutionize the formula, Resistance is a polished dose of simulation World War II sandboxes packed with Nazi objectives. The long-range combat is as visceral and gratifying as ever, featuring the game's trademark killcam showing each shot's impact in graphic, testicle-crunching clarity. It's a violent excitement for any peace-lover looking to unwind in the security of a virtual space.

1000xResist

1000xResist tells an critically acclaimed narrative touching on post-pandemic life, family pain, and much more. It approaches these themes through a sci-fi perspective; you play as Watcher, one of several clones of Iris, the only survivor of a pandemic that wiped out human life. Watcher and her fellow clones explore Iris's memories from when Earth was beset by that terrible disease, as well as experiences of her education and family life, both of which were bearable for a young person. Watcher learns Iris is not what she appears, and the story unfolds from that point. Should all that intrigue isn't enough to hook you, the game does begin with a murder. What could be a more compelling 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 effort for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking gem is leaving Game Pass at the close of the month (as is the first 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 features 8 characters, each embodying a different genre. There's a procedural tale about a cleric investigating the death of his cathedral's head priest. A merchant striving to eradicate destitution through the power of commerce stars in a frontier-inspired narrative. There's even a enigma about an apothecary with memory loss (since all great RPGs need a hero with an mysterious past, naturally). A few of these stories connect in surprising, fascinating ways, while you progress through a gorgeous Industrial Revolution inspired setting. And the battle system is excellent — “number go up” distilled to its purest form.