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Following Microsoft's recent news of Game Pass membership changes, featuring a cost hike for the top tier to $thirty monthly, many subscribers are seeking new methods to get the most from their membership. For those keeping their subscription or considering signing up, we present this week's picks.

This weekend's titles feature a acclaimed Japanese role-playing game, a delightful independent journey, and a superb puzzle game scheduled to depart from the service shortly.

Persona 4 Golden

Among the top ways to get your money's worth from Game Pass is by diving into a lengthy, engaging RPG — and Persona 4 Golden fits that description perfectly. You take on the part of a high school student who has just moved to the quiet rural town of Inaba. By day, your goals involve forming friendships, working part-time jobs, and keeping up with schoolwork. By night, you investigate a disturbing serial murder case by exploring strange locations based on your companions' inner fears.

With a memorable cast of characters, strategic battle system, flawless art design, and a storyline full of twists, Persona 4: The Golden Edition is regarded as a classic for many reasons. It also boasts a highly addictive gameplay loop that will have you playing late into the night, repeatedly.

Sopa - Tale of the Stolen Potato

While major releases like Ninja Gaiden IV are a key selling point for Game Pass, the platform also showcases lesser-known games. A great instance of this is Sopa - Tale of the Stolen Potato. Inspired by the animated classic, this enchanting independent adventure is a fantasy tale rooted in South American culture. You join Miho, who, after assisting his grandma prepare soup, is pulled into a vibrant world populated by potato-nabbing frogs and other quirky animals.

Sopa unfolds similar to an educational computer title from the 1990s, as Miho tackles puzzles and aids the realm's residents by collecting an inventory of items. Though it's a bit rough around the edges, Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato is a heartwarming little experience that proudly celebrates its love for South America.

Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure

Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure is scheduled to leave Game Pass on Oct. 15, giving you only a short time to experience it via your membership — and you definitely should. Studio the creators crafted one of the finest puzzle games of recent years in 2023's Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure. Its central gameplay element revolves around transitioning among worlds within additional dimensions, and often you'll transport those worlds, in the shape of vibrant spheres, with you.

Although it lacks direct instructions, everything about Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure's puzzles is built in a highly intuitive manner, yet they will test you as well. 2023 was 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.