If the free mystery game promotion isn’t enough, theEpic Games Storehas proven all year that it’s one of the top subscription services when it comes to free games. Whereas other services give away four every month, EGS sometimes gives four, eight, or in the case of December, fifteen or more. The best part is that, while EGS tends to focus on smaller enjoyable and potentially less noticed titles, it still works in thebig AAA gamesthat fans love.
Whether it’s AAA, indie, classic, simulation, shooter, or whatnot, theEpic Games Storehas given away a ton of great games this year. Here are the very best, ordered in the month of their release.
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Star Wars Battlefront 2: Celebration Edition (January 2021)
Star Wars Battlefront 2has grown beyond its initial controversy, becoming a solidStar Warsgame in its own rights. Alone it would have been enough, but Epic Games Store went the extra mile and gave away the Celebration Edition that comes with some extra goodies on top of it. WhereStar Wars Battlefront 2is now has led many to want a threequel to the series, but as of this writing,Star Wars Battlefront 3doesn’t seem likely to happen.
Metro Last Light Redux (February 2021)
The “Redux” aspect of thisMetro Last Lightversion is the upgraded graphics and all DLC bundledin it, and it’s one fans shouldn’t have missed. It may be the middle part of a trilogy, withMetro 2033before it andMetro Exodusafter it, but each game is worth playing time and again. The whole franchise combines a lot of elements, with this one, in particular, focusing on survival, horror, first-person shooter elements in a post-apocalyptic world with an excellent story, and that’s something a lot of games struggle to pull off.Metro Last Lightdoesn’t.
Surviving Mars (March 2021)
Alien: Isolation (April 2021)
As a franchise,Alienis as popular as ever, but everyone knows that the franchise has a rocky history in video games.Alien: Isolation, from 2014, is a survival horror game that really emphasizes the survival element of fighting a Xenomorph, but also their raw power as only one Xenomorph haunts the player. To this day,Alien: Isolationis still hailed as the best game from the franchise, and it’s the best one Epic could have given away.
Among Us (May 2021)
The social deduction game that hardly needs any introduction,Among Us.It rose to popularity during the early pandemic and has maintained that run, with its own ups and downs, ever since. Players take on the role ofAmong Us' bean-style crewmates (or impostors)who need to complete certain tasks/kill other players before being discovered. While it has its quirks, it’s usually a fun, relaxing game that’s definitely better with friends.
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Frostpunk (June 2021)
Frostpunkis a city management survival simulator where players must lead their citizens through the hardships of a volcanic winter. What makes it stand out from other city sims, aside from its unique premise, is the variety of options, happenings, and potential events from game to game. Anyone who loves city sims and post-apocalyptic games may find the perfect brainchild of the two genres inFrostpunk, and what’s better is they could have also gotten it for free on the Epic Games Store. Just as this title was ambitious,Frostpunk 2was announcedearlier this year with what’s said to be even greater ambitions.
Control (June AND December 2021)
Controlis a fantastic and beloved game out of Remedy Entertainment, one so well-received that Epic Games Store gave it away TWICE this year. The first was in June, and then it was part of the Epic Games Store holiday mystery game promo in December. The future for the franchise, as well as how it connects toAlan Wakeand theannouncement ofAlan Wake 2, all seems like it could create a defining franchise for the current generation of games.
Overcooked 2 (June 2021)
Overcooked 2is a co-op cooking simulation game, a classic given new life with new details. The sequel builds on the original in smart ways with new features, interactive levels, themes, costumes, recipes, and more. For a chill, fun co-op game, there’s not much that can challengeOvercooked 2.
A Plague Tale: Innocence (August 2021)
Earlier this year,A Plague Tale: Requiemwas announced for release in 2022and it immediately caught many eyes. It’s shaping up to be a beautiful game, the kind that captures the eye for years to come and not just the time of one playthrough. Of course, not everyone may have played its predecessor,A Plague Tale: Innocence. As such, it was smart of the Epic Games Store to give this game away not long after its sequel’s announcement, and hopefully, many have played it now and are prepared for the upcoming sequel.
Yooka-Laylee (August 2021)
A third-person platformer,Yooka-Layleefeatures the titular chameleon and bat in an adventure to retrieve a magic book from an evil corporation.Yooka-Layleelooks like a much older game at first glance, despite releasing in 2017, and that’s intentional. At its heart, it’s a throwback and nostalgia journey inspired bygames likeBanjo-Kazooie.
