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After Microsoft's recent announcement of Xbox Game Pass subscription changes, featuring a cost hike for the top tier to $30 monthly, numerous members are seeking new ways to get the most from their membership. For those keeping their membership or considering signing up, here are this week's picks.

Our selected titles include a beloved JRPG, a charming indie journey, and a brilliant puzzle game set to leave the service soon.

Persona 4 Golden

One of the best ways to get your money's worth from your subscription is by diving into a extensive, engaging RPG — and Persona 4 Golden matches that description exactly. Players step into the role of a high school student who has just moved to the quiet rural town of Inaba. During the day, your goals include making friendships, taking on part-time jobs, and managing studies. By night, you investigate a chilling string of murders by venturing into strange dungeons themed around your companions' deepest insecurities.

With a unforgettable group of heroes, tactical turn-based combat, flawless art design, and a storyline full of twists, Persona 4 Golden is regarded as a classic for good reason. It also features a highly engrossing gameplay loop that will have you playing late into the night, night after night.

Sopa - Tale of the Stolen Potato

While big releases like Ninja Gaiden IV are a key selling point for the service, the subscription also showcases lesser-known indie gems. A great example of this is Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato. Inspired by Spirited Away, this charming independent game is a magical realist tale rooted in Latin American traditions. You join Miho, who, after helping his grandma prepare soup, is transported to a vibrant realm populated by potato-nabbing frogs and various quirky creatures.

Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato unfolds similar to an learning-focused computer title from the 90s, as Miho tackles challenges and aids the world's inhabitants by gathering an inventory of objects. Even if it's a little unpolished, Sopa is a sweet small game that proudly showcases its love for the region's culture.

Cocoon

Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure is scheduled to leave Game Pass on Oct. 15, leaving only a short time to play it via your membership — and you absolutely must. Developer the creators crafted one of the best puzzle games of this generation in 2023's Cocoon. Its central puzzle mechanic focuses on transitioning between worlds inside other worlds, and frequently you'll carry those worlds, in the form of vibrant spheres, alongside you.

Although it lacks direct guidance, everything about Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure's puzzles is built in a highly intuitive way, yet they can challenge you as well. The year 2023 proved a massive year for games, so it's no surprise if Cocoon was a bit missed by many players. We should correct that while we can.