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

After the recent price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial commotion has subsided. Although it may not be seen as the top deal in gaming anymore, the platform has welcomed several high-profile launch day games recently, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those titles further enrich a massive library of hundreds games ideal for weekend-long marathon sessions.

This week's picks feature a cathartic shooter, 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. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite franchise has delivered exactly that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter series presents players intensely graphic mayhem targeting enemy forces. Recently, Rebellion released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely addition to the series. Although it doesn't reinvent the gameplay, Resistance remains a well-constructed dose of simulation World War II open environments filled with enemy targets. The sniping is as visceral and gratifying as always, with the game's trademark killcam displaying every bullet's effect in gory, testicle-crunching detail. It's a violent thrill for any pacifist looking to let off steam in the security of a digital world.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist tells an critically acclaimed narrative touching on life after a pandemic existence, family trauma, and other deep themes. It examines these themes through a science fiction lens; you assume the role of Watcher, one of multiple clones of Iris, the only survivor of a global outbreak that eradicated humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones delve into Iris's recollections from when Earth was beset by that horrific plague, along with memories of her school and family life, neither of which were bearable for a teenager. Watcher learns Iris isn't all that she seems, and the story 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 opening than this?

Octopath Traveler II

Admittedly, completing a gazillion-hour RPG in just over a week is a tall order, but if any game worth attempting the effort for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's HD-2D gem is leaving Game Pass at the close of the month (as is the original game, which is also included). However, with a break in the midst, at least for players in the U.S., it's technically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows eight characters, every one representing a distinct story style. You'll find a procedural tale about a cleric investigating the murder of his church's archbishop. A merchant aiming to solve destitution through the power of capitalism stars in a frontier-inspired narrative. There's even a mystery about an herbalist with memory loss (because all great RPGs need a hero with an unknown background, of course). Some of these stories intertwine in surprising, intriguing ways, while you progress through a stunning Industrial Revolution themed setting. And the battle system is excellent — “number go up” distilled to its essence.