Three Game Pass Titles That Will Justify Your Subscription This Weekend (Nov. 21-23)

After the recent cost hike for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial commotion has subsided. While it might not be considered the top deal in gaming anymore, the platform has introduced several big-name launch day releases lately, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These titles further enrich a massive library of hundreds games ideal for weekend-long marathon sessions.

This week's recommendations include a therapeutic shooter, an award-winning independent gem, and a essential HD-2D RPG.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

Every so often, we all require a little catharsis. For 20 years, the Sniper Elite franchise has delivered precisely that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter series presents players intensely graphic carnage targeting Nazi targets. This year, Rebellion released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely addition to the franchise. While it doesn't reinvent the gameplay, Resistance is a polished serving of simulation World War II open environments packed with Nazi objectives. The long-range combat is as visceral and satisfying as always, featuring the series' signature killcam displaying every bullet's impact in graphic, explicit clarity. It's a bloody excitement for any peace-lover wanting to let off steam in the safety of a digital world.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist tells an award-winning narrative exploring post-pandemic life, family trauma, and much more. It approaches these subjects through a science fiction perspective; you play as Watcher, a member of multiple clones of Iris, the sole survivor of a global outbreak that wiped out human life. Watcher and her sister clones delve into Iris's recollections from when Earth was ravaged by that horrific plague, along with experiences of her education and home life, both of which were bearable for a young person. Watcher discovers Iris is not what she appears, and the story unfolds from that point. If all that mystery isn't enough to grab your interest, the game indeed begin with a killing. Is there a more compelling start than this?

Octopath Traveler II

Yes, finishing a gazillion-hour RPG in just over a week is a challenging task, but if there's any game deserving trying the effort for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's visually striking masterpiece is leaving Game Pass at the close of the month (as is the original game, also available). However, with a break in the midst, at least for players in the U.S., it's technically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows 8 protagonists, every one embodying a different genre. There's a investigative tale about a priest investigating the murder of his church's archbishop. A merchant aiming to eradicate poverty through the force of capitalism headlines a western-themed narrative. Additionally, there's a enigma about an herbalist with memory loss (since every good RPGs require a character with an unknown background, of course). A few of these stories intertwine in unexpected, fascinating ways, while you progress through a stunning Industrial Revolution themed setting. And the battle system is excellent — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its essence.