3 Xbox Game Pass Games That Can Justify Your Membership During the Weekend (Nov. 21-23)

After the latest price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier commotion has subsided. Although it may not be considered the top offer in gaming anymore, the platform has welcomed a number of high-profile day-one releases recently, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. These titles further enrich a vast collection of hundreds games perfect for weekend marathon sessions.

This week's picks feature a therapeutic shooter, an prize-winning independent gem, and a must-play HD-2D RPG.

Resistance: Sniper Elite

Every so often, we all require a bit of catharsis. For 20 years, the Sniper Elite franchise has provided precisely that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter series presents players ultraviolent carnage against Nazi forces. Recently, Rebellion launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely addition to the franchise. Although it doesn't reinvent the gameplay, Resistance is a polished serving of simulation World War II sandboxes filled with enemy targets. The long-range combat is as brutal and satisfying as ever, featuring the series' trademark killcam showing each shot's effect in graphic, explicit clarity. It's a violent thrill for any peace-lover looking to unwind in the safety of a virtual world.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist tells an critically acclaimed story exploring post-pandemic existence, generational pain, and much more. It examines these subjects through a science fiction lens; you assume the role of Watcher, a member of several clones of Iris, the sole person left of a pandemic that eradicated humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones explore Iris's memories from when Earth was ravaged by that terrible plague, as well as memories of her school and home life, both of which were bearable for a teenager. Watcher learns Iris is not all that she seems, and the story develops from there. If all that mystery isn't enough to grab your interest, the game indeed begin with a killing. What could be a more compelling opening than that?

Octopath Traveler 2

Yes, finishing a gazillion-hour RPG in only over a week is a challenging task, but if any game worth trying the grind for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's HD-2D gem is departing Game Pass at the close of the month (as is the original game, which is also included). But, with a break in the midst, at least for those in the U.S., it's theoretically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows 8 protagonists, every one embodying a distinct genre. You'll find a investigative tale about a priest looking into the death of his church's archbishop. A merchant striving to eradicate destitution through the power of commerce stars in a western-themed adventure. There's even a enigma about an herbalist with amnesia (since all great RPGs require a hero with an mysterious background, naturally). Some of these stories connect in unexpected, fascinating ways, while you progress through a gorgeous 19th-century inspired world. And the battle system is excellent — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its essence.