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Following Microsoft's latest news of Xbox Game Pass membership changes, including a cost hike for the Ultimate Tier to $30 monthly, many members are seeking fresh ways to get the most from their membership. For those keeping their membership or considering joining, we present this week's recommendations.

Our selected games feature a acclaimed Japanese role-playing game, a charming indie adventure, and a brilliant puzzler scheduled to leave the service shortly.

Persona 4 Golden

One of the best methods to get your money's worth from your subscription is by immersing yourself in a lengthy, engaging role-playing game — and Persona 4 Golden fits that bill perfectly. Players take on the part of a teenager who has just moved to the quiet rural town of Inaba. By day, your goals involve making friendships, working part-time jobs, and managing schoolwork. By night, you investigate a chilling serial murder case by venturing into unique locations based on your friends' deepest insecurities.

With a memorable cast of characters, tactical turn-based combat, impeccable art design, and a storyline packed with twists, Persona 4: The Golden Edition is regarded as a classic for many reasons. It also features a incredibly addictive gameplay loop that will keep you up late into the night, night after night.

Sopa - Tale of the Stolen Potato

While major titles like Ninja Gaiden IV are a primary selling point for Game Pass, the platform also highlights lesser-known games. A great instance of this is Sopa - Tale of the Stolen Potato. Inspired by the animated classic, this enchanting independent game is a fantasy tale rooted in South American traditions. Players follow Miho, who, after assisting his grandmother make soup, is pulled into a vibrant realm filled with potato-nabbing frogs and other quirky creatures.

Sopa plays out similar to an learning-focused PC game from the 90s, as Miho tackles puzzles and helps the realm's residents by collecting an assortment of items. Even if it's a bit unpolished, Sopa is a heartwarming small game that proudly celebrates its appreciation for South America.

Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure

Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure is set to leave Game Pass on October 15, leaving only a few days to experience it via subscription — and you definitely should. Developer Geometric Interactive crafted one of the best puzzlers of this generation in 2023's Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure. Its central gameplay element focuses on moving between realms within additional dimensions, and frequently you'll carry those worlds, in the form of vibrant orbs, with you.

While it doesn't have explicit guidance, everything about Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure's challenges is designed in a highly natural manner, yet they can challenge you as well. The year 2023 proved a massive year for video games, so it's understandable if Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure was somewhat overlooked by the masses. Let's rectify that now.