🔗 Share this article

Following the company's latest news of Xbox Game Pass membership updates, featuring a cost hike for the Ultimate Tier to $thirty monthly, many subscribers are looking for new methods to maximize their membership. For those holding onto their subscription or considering signing up, here are our latest recommendations.

This weekend's games include a acclaimed Japanese role-playing game, a delightful indie journey, and a brilliant puzzler set to leave the platform shortly.

Persona 4: The Golden Edition

Among the top methods to maximize value from Game Pass is by diving into a lengthy, captivating RPG — and Persona 4: The Golden Edition fits that description exactly. You take on the role of a teenager who has just moved to the sleepy rural town of Inaba. During the day, your goals include making new friends, taking on part-time jobs, and managing schoolwork. At night, you investigate a disturbing string of murders by venturing into unique locations themed around your friends' deepest insecurities.

With a memorable cast of characters, strategic turn-based combat, impeccable visuals, and a storyline packed with surprises, Persona 4: The Golden Edition is regarded as a masterpiece for good reason. It also boasts a highly engrossing cycle that will have you playing past bedtime, repeatedly.

Sopa - Tale of the Stolen Potato

While major releases like Ninja Gaiden 4 are a key attraction for Game Pass, the platform also showcases smaller indie gems. A great example of this is Sopa - Tale of the Stolen Potato. Inspired by the animated classic, this charming independent game is a fantasy tale rooted in South American traditions. Players join Miho, who, after helping his grandma prepare soup, is transported to a colorful realm filled with potato-nabbing frogs and various quirky animals.

Sopa unfolds similar to an learning-focused computer title from the 90s, as Miho solves challenges and aids the world's residents by gathering an inventory of items. Even if it's a little rough around the edges, Sopa is a heartwarming small experience that proudly celebrates its appreciation for South America.

Cocoon

Cocoon is scheduled to exit Game Pass on October 15, giving you only a few days to experience it via subscription — and you definitely should. Developer Geometric Interactive designed one of the best puzzlers of recent years in 2023's Cocoon. Its core gameplay element revolves around transitioning between worlds inside other worlds, and frequently you'll transport those worlds, in the shape of vibrant orbs, alongside you.

Although it doesn't have direct instructions, everything about Cocoon's challenges is designed in a very intuitive manner, yet they can challenge you as well. 2023 was a massive year for video games, so it's understandable if Cocoon: A Puzzle Adventure was a bit overlooked by many players. Let's rectify that while we can.