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After the company's recent announcement of Xbox Game Pass membership changes, including a price increase for the Ultimate Tier to $thirty monthly, numerous members are looking for fresh ways to get the most from their membership. For those holding onto their membership or thinking about signing up, we present our latest picks.

This weekend's games include a beloved Japanese role-playing game, a delightful independent journey, and a superb puzzle game set to depart from the service soon.

Persona 4 Golden

One of the best ways to get your money's worth from your subscription is by immersing yourself in a extensive, engaging RPG — and Persona 4: The Golden Edition fits that description exactly. You take on the role of a high school student who has relocated to the sleepy countryside of Inaba. By day, your goals involve making new friends, taking on part-time jobs, and keeping up with schoolwork. At night, you investigate a chilling string of murders by venturing into unique dungeons based on your companions' deepest insecurities.

With a memorable cast of characters, tactical turn-based combat, impeccable art design, and a plot packed with surprises, Persona 4: The Golden Edition is regarded as a masterpiece for many reasons. It also boasts a highly addictive gameplay loop that will keep you up past bedtime, night after night.

Sopa - Tale of the Stolen Potato

Although major titles like Ninja Gaiden 4 are a primary selling point for the service, the platform also showcases smaller games. A perfect example of this is Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato. Inspired by Spirited Away, this charming independent game is a magical realist tale steeped in South American traditions. Players follow Miho, who, after assisting his grandma prepare soup, is transported to a vibrant realm populated by potato-stealing frogs and various quirky creatures.

Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato plays out like an educational computer title from the 90s, as Miho solves challenges and aids the world's inhabitants by collecting an assortment of items. Though it's a little unpolished, Sopa is a sweet small game that proudly showcases its love for the region's culture.

Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure

Cocoon is set to exit Game Pass on October 15, leaving only a short time to experience it via subscription — and you absolutely must. Studio the creators crafted one of the finest puzzlers of recent years in the 2023 release Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure. Its core puzzle mechanic focuses on transitioning between worlds inside other worlds, and frequently you'll carry those realms, in the shape of colorful spheres, with you.

While it doesn't have explicit guidance, everything about Cocoon's challenges is designed in a highly intuitive manner, yet they will challenge you as well. The year 2023 proved a massive period for video games, so it's understandable if Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure was somewhat missed by many players. We should correct that while we can.