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Following the company's recent announcement of Xbox Game Pass subscription changes, including a price increase for the Ultimate Tier to $30 per month, many subscribers are seeking new ways to maximize their membership. For those holding onto their membership or thinking about joining, we present this week's recommendations.

Our selected games feature a beloved JRPG, a charming indie journey, and a brilliant puzzle game scheduled to leave the platform shortly.

Persona 4 Golden

Among the best ways to maximize value from Game Pass is by diving into a extensive, captivating role-playing game — and Persona 4: The Golden Edition fits that description exactly. You take on the part of a high school student who has just moved to the quiet countryside of Inaba. During the day, your objectives involve forming friendships, working part-time jobs, and managing studies. At night, you work to solve a disturbing serial murder case by exploring strange locations based on your companions' deepest insecurities.

With a memorable group of heroes, tactical turn-based combat, flawless art design, and a plot packed with twists, Persona 4: The Golden Edition is regarded as a classic for many reasons. It also features a incredibly engrossing cycle that will keep you up late into the night, night after night.

Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato

While big releases like Ninja Gaiden IV are a primary selling point for the service, the platform also showcases lesser-known games. A perfect instance of this is Sopa - Tale of the Stolen Potato. Inspired by the animated classic, this charming indie adventure is a fantasy tale steeped in South American traditions. You follow Miho, who, after assisting his grandmother make soup, is pulled into a colorful world populated by potato-nabbing frogs and other quirky creatures.

Sopa plays out like an educational computer title from the 1990s, as Miho solves puzzles and aids the world's residents by gathering an inventory of items. Even if it's a bit unpolished, Sopa is a sweet small experience that proudly celebrates its love for South America.

Cocoon

Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure is scheduled to exit the service on October 15, leaving only a short time to play it via your membership — and you definitely must. Studio Geometric Interactive crafted one of the best puzzlers of recent years in 2023's Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure. Its core puzzle mechanic focuses on transitioning between realms within additional worlds, and often you'll transport those worlds, in the shape of colorful orbs, alongside you.

While it lacks explicit guidance, everything about Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure's challenges is built in a highly natural manner, though they can test you as well. The year 2023 proved a big period for games, so it's no surprise if Cocoon was somewhat missed by the masses. Let's rectify that while we can.