TheEpic Games Storecontinues to offer players great games for free each week with its now iconic giveaway promotion, helping users fill out their library on the launcher with a variety of titles from numerous different genres. Some games given away on the Epic Game Store are much more noteworthy than others, but this year saw one of the best overall collections of titles as freebies to date. Although the dates to claim these free games have come and gone, players can still look forward to thefree mystery games from the Epic Games Storeduring this month.
Originally released as a client in 2018, the Epic Games Store has had a tough time competing with the likes of the PC gaming juggernaut, Steam. To get more users to download its storefront, Epic Games began its free game promotion at launch with a new game being given away every two weeks, but this promotional schedule was increased to every week starting in June 2019, going strong ever since. In the past five years,Epic Games has spent millions of dollarson giving out free games, andin order of their giveaway dates, these are the best of 2023.
Kerbal Space Program (January 5 - 12)
Epic Games kicked off 2023 with a giveaway of the2015 titleKerbal Space Programahead of its sequel’s launch in February of this year. Although the full release of the game has been available since 2015,Kerbal Space Programlaunched on the Epic Games Store on the same date it was given away for free. This decision was a generous way to get players who might not have tried the game yet to check it out with no strings attached, demonstrating that it sometimes pays to be a patient gamer.
Kerbal Space Programis a space flight simulation game that combines comical green astronauts calledKerbals with real-life space flight physics. Players will need skill and patience in order to build the vehicles like rockets, rovers, and space stations necessary to successfully send their Kerbals into space while also utilizing the game’s physics engine to perform actual orbital maneuvers used by NASA astronauts. Despite the game’s difficulty,Kerbal Space Programhas gained a cult following, even earning praise from figures in the spaceflight industry for its commitment to realistic simulated physics.
Kerbal Space Program
WHERE TO PLAY
In Kerbal Space Program, take charge of the space program for the alien race known as the Kerbals. You have access to an array of parts to assemble fully-functional spacecraft that flies (or doesn’t) based on realistic aerodynamic and orbital physics. Launch your Kerbal crew into orbit and beyond (while keeping them alive) to explore moons and planets in the Kerbol solar system, constructing bases and space stations to expand the reach of your expedition.Kerbal Space Program features three gameplay modes. In Science Mode, perform space experiments to unlock new technology and advance the knowledge of Kerbalkind. In Career Mode, oversee every aspect of the space program, including construction, strategy, funding, upgrades, and more. In Sandbox, you are free to build any spacecraft you’re able to think of, with all parts and technology in the game.Be sure to try out the many mods created by the Kerbal Space Program community!
Dishonored: Death of the Outsider (February 2 - 9)
Although developer Arkane Studios may have had a rough year due to thecontroversial launch ofRedfall, fans of the developer were still given something to celebrate as the Epic Games Store gave away some of the studio’s best titles, includingDishonored: Death of the Outsider. Although the game was initially released in 2017, it came to the Epic Games Store in December 2022 before being given away as a freebie in February 2023. Players also had the opportunity to scoreDishonored: Definitive Editionfrom the storefront for free the month prior.
TheDishonoredserieshas become an icon among fans of the immersive sim genre with its gameplay letting players choose how they approach combat situations.Dishonored: Death of the Outsideris the third game in the series and was originally intended to be DLC forDishonored 2before growing into a full stand-alone release. The game follows former assassin Billie Lurk as she works with her mentor Daud to kill the enigmatic being known as The Outsider, who is responsible for granting players their supernatural powers throughout the series.
Dying Light Enhanced Edition (April 6 - 13)
Spring saw a series of great games given away on the Epic Games Store, starting with Techland’s zombie parkour adventureDying Light Enhanced Editionon offer as a freebie in April. It was added to the Epic Games Store in February 2022 to coincide with therelease ofDying Light 2: Stay Humanthat same month after having been originally released in 2016. Included with the enhanced edition ofDying Lightis The Following expansion, as well as the content released within the game’s first year, like “Be the Zombie” mode and “The Bozak Horde.”
Dying Lightputs players in the fictional city of Harran, located somewhere in the Middle East amid an outbreak of a virus that transforms the infected into fast, agile zombies with heightened aggression. As protagonist Kyle Crane, players will utilize their parkour skills to traverse the city’s rooftops, avoiding the dangers posed by these zombies as they work to aid survivors in the quarantined city. The game is most well-known for its fast-paced traversal mechanics, which were expanded upon in its sequel.
Dying Light
From the creators of hit titles Dead Island and Call of Juarez. Winner of over 50 industry awards and nominations. The game whose uncompromising approach to gameplay set new standards for first-person games. Thanks to its legacy and seven-year post-launch support, today it goes down in history as one of gaming’s greatest zombie titles.Survive in a city beset by a zombie virus! Discover the hard choices you will have to make on your secret mission. Will loyalty to your superiors prove stronger than the will to save the survivors? The choice is yours…VAST OPEN WORLDRoam the city with unprecedented freedom and bask in its unique atmosphere. Use parkour to scale every building and reach remote areas.CREATIVE COMBATEngage in gory combat and discover limitless options to confront your enemies. Use the environment paired with various weapon types and abilities to gain an advantage.DAY AND NIGHT CYCLEExperience the dramatic shift in the world as you go from hunter to hunted at sundown. Face the coming threat or run away without wasting your time looking behind.4-PLAYER CO-OPJoin forces with other players and raise your chances of survival in an exciting co-op mode. Tackle the story campaign together and see how far you’ll go as a team.
Death Stranding (May 18 -25)
One of the biggest games given away by Epic Games in 2023 wasHideo Kojima’s AAA epicDeath Stranding. Originally released as a PlayStation exclusive in 2019, the game later came to PC in 2020, with the Director’s Cut version coming in 2021 to PS5 and 2022 to the Epic Games Store. Although the Director’s Cut was available at the timeDeath Strandingwas given away, players were only able to receive the base game for free with the option to purchase the Director’s Cut upgrade.
Death Strandingfollows the story of Sam Porter Bridgesas he makes his way across the post-apocalyptic landscape of the United Cities of America in an attempt to deliver supplies and reconnect these cities to the Chiral Network. Along the way, Sam faces off against BTs, entities that exist in the world between life and death, as well as the terrorist organization known as the Homo Demens and their leader, Higgs. Kojima has described the gameplay ofDeath Strandingas “strand-like,” where players utilize the game’s simulated physics to traverse a variety of dangerous environments, building structures online asynchronously to help other players in their instances of the game.
Fallout: New Vegas – Ultimate Edition (May 25 - June 1)
Often cited as the best entry in theFalloutseries, the fan-favoriteFallout: New Vegaswas a welcome surprise freebie from Epic Games, and it even included all the game’s DLC via the Ultimate Edition.Fallout: New Vegasis a classic RPG developed byObsidian Entertainmentthat was originally released back in 2010, but came to the Epic Games Store in May 2023. As a way to celebrate the game coming to the storefront, Epic Games gave it away as a freebie from the get-go, making it available for free the day it hit the Epic Games Store.
Like other entries in theFalloutseries,Fallout: New Vegasis set in a post-apocalyptic futurewhere the world has been destroyed by nuclear war, leaving the remnants of society irradiated and the world barely habitable. Rather than being developed by Bethesda themselves, this title was developed by Obsidian with Bethesda as the publisher and takes place in the Mojave Desert surrounding what remains of the Las Vegas Strip. As the Courier,Fallout: New Vegasplayers will have to contend with the various factions competing for territory and control over what little resources remain in the aftermath of nuclear annihilation.
Payday 2 (June 8 -15)
The popularco-op heist shooterPayday 2was given away on the Epic Games Store the week afterFallout: New Vegas, continuing the storefront’s trend of fantastic freebie offerings in 2023. Originally released in 2013,Payday 2has been the gold standard for co-op shooters even in 2023 when it came to the Epic Games Store. LikeFallout: New Vegas,Payday 2was a free offering on the same day it hit the storefront, likely as a way to generate hype for its sequel, which would be released in September 2023.
Payday 2lets players tackle epic heists like bank, shop, and armored car robberies while playing solo or with up to three other players. With the option to play as one of 22 gang members and a variety of play styles to choose from,Payday 2offered players tons of replay value whether they were playing alone or with others. WhilePayday 3failed to live up to the expectationsestablished by its predecessor in many ways, fans and newcomers could still enjoy the series in 2023 thanks to this giveaway.
Guacamelee 2 (June 8- 15)
Given away alongsidePayday 2were bothGuacameleeand its sequel,Guacamelee 2, a pair of excellentindie Metroidvaniasfor players to add to their collection in 2023. Although it was originally released in 2018 as a follow-up to the 2013 indie darling,Guacamelee 2was first made available on the Epic Games Store the same week it was part of this freebie promotion. While it’s not a AAA title like some of the games given away this year,Guacamelee 2is still a fantastic entry in the Metroidvania genre that was worth claiming during this promotional period.
Guacamelee 2comes from indie developer DrinkBox Studios and follows the retired luchador Juan Aguacate as he jumps back into the Mexiverse to save it from the villainous Salvador. Not only doesGuacamelee 2feature a similar quirky cast of characters and the tight action-platforming gameplay of its predecessor, but it also builds upon these elements in a way that new and returning players can enjoy. The game also does a great job of presenting Mexican culture and folklore in a beautifully designed setting that will keep players engaged and eager to explore.
GRIME (July 6 - 13)
Metroidvania fans were treated to another great indie entry in the genre asGRIMEwas also given away on the Epic Games Store this year.GRIMEwas developed by indie studio Clover Bite and published by Akupara Games, releasing back in August 2021. However, it was added to Epic Games' freebie promotion during the week of July 6-13 this past summer, meaning players who hadn’t had a chance to try it yet could give this Metroidvania-meets-Souslike title a try with no strings attached.
GRIMEdrops players in a grim world where its inhabitants seek the ideal proportions and physical anatomy, worshiping carvings that represent these ideals. Players control The Vessel, which acquires new abilities as the player progresses, allowing them to reach places they couldn’t previously, in typical Metroidvaina fashion. On top of this platforming gameplay is the combat that draws inspiration fromSoulslikesand requires players to approach enemies cautiously and learn to time attacks correctly or risk losing progress and resetting to their last checkpoint at an obelisk.
Grime
Destroy… Absorb… Grow… GRIME is a methodical and unforgiving 2.5D soulslike metroidvania in which you crush your foes with living weapons that mutate form and function. Parry attacks to absorb prey, acquire their skills and empower your vessel in a world of anatomical horror and intrigue.
The Elder Scrolls Online (July 20 - 27)
While therelease ofStarfieldand discussion about the next entry in theElder Scrollsseries dominated Bethesda’s fan base this year,The Elder Scrolls Onlinequietly gave away its base game for free on the Epic Games Store in July. The MMORPG was originally released back in 2014 but has seen several expansions in the years since, including Morrowind, Summerset, Elswyer, Greymoor, Blackwood, High Isle, and most recently, Necrom, which was released in January of this year. The base game, Tamriel Unlimited, was given away in July 2023 to celebrate the game finally coming to the Epic Games Store.
Even with access to just the base game,The Elder Scrolls Onlineoffers players a variety of contentacross its various quests, random events, and exploration incentives that claiming it for free was definitely worthwhile. Fans ofThe Elder Scrollsfranchise will find familiar elements from its single-player titles in the MMORPG like its character races, class builds, and skill trees that allow players to invest in the abilities necessary for crafting different resources. For players wanting to live out a fantasy life in Tamriel,The Elder Scrolls Onlinewas a great addition to their Epic Games library.
The Evil Within 2 (October 26 - November 2)
Halloween 2023 featured a fantastic free horror title for players looking to get into the spooky spirit inThe Evil Within 2. The previous week, players could claim the firstEvil Withingame from the Epic Games Store, allowing them to enjoy both entries in the series over the holiday. WhileThe Evil Within 2was originally released in 2017, it debuted on the Epic Games Store back in August 2023 before being made available for free a few months later.
The Evil Within 2comes from developer Tango Gameworks, the studio founded byResident Evilcreator Shinji Mikami, and it’s clear that the classic horror franchise has inspiredThe Evil Withinseries. InThe Evil Within 2, players once again follow the journey of detective Sebastian Castellanos as he descends into the world of Union to rescue his daughter, whom he had presumed to have died in a house fire. Players will face the twisted horrors of Union utilizing stealth or direct combat and use the game’s crafting system for resource management.
