Three Xbox Game Pass Games That Will Validate Your Membership This Weekend (Nov. 21-23)

After the recent price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the earlier commotion has calmed down. Although it might not be seen as the absolute best deal in gaming anymore, the platform has welcomed a number of big-name launch day releases lately, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those titles only enhance a massive library of numerous games perfect for weekend-long gaming binges.

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

Sniper Elite: Resistance

From time to time, everyone needs a little release. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite series has provided precisely that. Rebellion Developments' long-running shooter series offers players intensely graphic carnage against Nazi forces. This year, Rebellion launched Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely addition to the franchise. Although it doesn't reinvent the gameplay, Resistance remains a well-constructed dose of simulation World War II sandboxes filled with Nazi targets. The sniping is as brutal and gratifying as ever, with the series' trademark killcam showing each shot's effect in gory, testicle-crunching clarity. It's a bloody excitement for any peace-lover wanting to unwind in the security of a digital world.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist tells an critically acclaimed narrative exploring post-pandemic life, generational trauma, and much more. It approaches these themes through a science fiction perspective; you play as Watcher, a member of multiple clones of Iris, the only survivor of a pandemic that eradicated humanity. Watcher and her fellow clones explore Iris's recollections from the time Earth was ravaged by that horrific plague, as well as experiences of her education and home life, both of which were bearable for a young person. Watcher learns Iris is not what she appears, and the plot unfolds from that point. Should all that mystery isn't enough to hook you, the game indeed begin with a killing. Is there a more gripping start than that?

Octopath Traveler II

Admittedly, completing a extremely long 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 end of November (along with the original game, also available). But, with a holiday in the midst, at least for those in the U.S., it's theoretically doable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows eight characters, every one representing a distinct story style. You'll find a investigative tale about a priest investigating the murder of his church's archbishop. A merchant striving to eradicate destitution through the force of commerce headlines a frontier-inspired narrative. There's even a mystery about an apothecary with amnesia (since all great RPGs need a hero with an mysterious past, naturally). A few of these plots intertwine in surprising, fascinating ways, as you play through a stunning Industrial Revolution inspired world. And the combat is superb — “number go up” distilled to its essence.