Every week, the Epic Games Store offers free games, which you can keep forever once added to your game library. This week, you get one brand-new title for free, and we already know what's coming next week as well.
Epic offers you at least one game or piece of DLC for free, which you would normally have to pay for. The line-up changes once a week and often consists of lesser known indie gems, but sometimes include some well known AAA titles like the latest Tomb Raider games or The Elder Scrolls Online.
We'll show you which game is on the list right now, and we're also revealing what awaits you next time.
| Epic Games Store: Quick Facts | |
| Release: | December 6, 2020 |
| Platforms: | PC / Mac |
| Monthly active users: | 65 Million (estimated) |
| Popular games: | Fortnite, Rocket League, Fall Guys |
Epic Games Store Free Game of the Week Is Here
The currently available free game on the Epic Games Store is Astro Duel 2, available to download for free until March 14.
Astro Duel 2 is a sci-fi action game that combines top-down space dogfights with dynamic, up-close platforming action. The game offers both versus and co-operative gameplay modes, allowing players to engage in battles through space and on foot simultaneously. It features fully-destructible arenas, giving players the option to strategically demolish their surroundings or opt for a more direct approach by bombing targets from the orbit.What You Can Expect Next Week
Next week, we're getting two titles! Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and The Bridge will be available from March 14 until March 21 in the Epic Games Store.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is the newest installment in the legendary role-playing series. It's a cyberpunk-themed FPS RPG game set in a dystopian future where society is deeply divided between humans and those with advanced, controversial artificial augmentations. The player assumes the role of Adam Jensen, an augmented former security officer now working with an international coalition to stop terrorist attacks. The game combines first-person shooter, stealth, and RPG elements, offering players a rich narrative with meaningful choices that affect the story's outcome. Its gameplay emphasizes exploration, social interaction, hacking, and combat, allowing for a wide range of approaches to achieve objectives.
The Bridge
The Bridge is a puzzle game that challenges players with mind-bending, physics-based puzzles inspired by the impossible constructions of artist M.C. Escher. Players navigate through beautifully hand-drawn, black-and-white landscapes that defy conventional architecture and perspective. The game requires the player to manipulate gravity, perspective, and time to solve increasingly complex puzzles and unravel the game's story.
How To Get Games For Free On Epic Games Store
Free games are usually available in the Epic Games Store for seven days – so if you want to get them, you better be fast. To get the current games for free, simply do the following:
- Login or create an Epic Games Store account (the same one you use for Fortnite)
- Use the website or the Epic Games Launcher
- Search for the game's title to find it – the price shown should be 0 dollars
- Hit "Get"
- It will now be available to download and play from the Epic Games Launcher
- Enjoy!
Epic Games: When Will The Next Free Games Of The Week Become Available?
Epic usually makes a new freebie lineup available every Thursday, at 8:00 am PST / 11:00 am EST / 4:00 pm BST / 5:00 pm CEST. They are usually free of charge for seven days. The games from the previous week won't be free anymore then.
This rhythm will return once the Mystery Games promotion is over, which is expected to happen on January 11, 2024.
If you don't want to miss out any of Epic's free games campaigns, just bookmark this page, as we will keep you updated about upcoming next free games!
Why Epic Games Gives Away So Many Games
It's only natural to wonder why Epic Games keeps being so generous. The reason likely revolves around their main competitor in the gaming platform world: Steam.
Steam, operated by Valve, boasts about 130 million monthly active users. In comparison, Epic Games has about half of that according to the latest figures. The main goal for Epic probably is to provide a strong alternative to Steam, make their platform more appealing to game developers, and thus prevent Valve's platform from having an uncontested dominance.
To achieve this, Epic recently launched the "Epic First Run" program. This initiative rewards developers who offer their PC game exclusively on the Epic Games Store for a certain period. As users, the rivalry with Steam is a welcome one – after all, competition tends to invigorate the market, as shown by Epic's weekly free game offerings.