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Epic Games Store: Weekly Free Games List January 2026 (PC & Mobile)

Digital lifestyle 12 January 2026
Epic Games Store: Weekly Free Games List January 2026 (PC & Mobile)
Digital lifestyle 12 January 2026

Your guide to the 2026 Epic Games Store free games list. Find this week’s titles for PC & mobile, recap past holiday mystery events, and view the complete giveaway history.

Current Epic Games Store Free Games of the Week

Here is the breakdown of the epic games store free games week for the current rotation in 2026. Make sure to claim these before the deadline passes.

🎮 Epic Games Store Free Games – January 2026

Bloons TD 6 is FREE Right Now! Tower Defense by Ninja Kiwi • Worth $13.99 • 96% Positive on Steam
⏰ Claim before: Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET / 5:00 PM CET
📅 Last Updated: January 12, 2026 • Next free game rotation: January 15, 2026

📋 Epic Games Free Games January 2026 – Quick Summary

  • Current Free Game: Bloons TD 6 (January 8-15, 2026)
  • Normal Price: $13.99 — You Save: 100%
  • Next Free Games: Styx: Master of Shadows + Styx: Shards of Darkness (January 15-22)
  • Combined Value Next Week: $39.98 (Two games for free!)
  • Previous Free Games: Total War: Three Kingdoms + Wildgate (January 1-8) — Expired
  • Release Schedule: Every Thursday at 11:00 AM ET / 5:00 PM CET
  • Platform: PC (Windows) via Epic Games Launcher
  • Requirements: Free Epic Games account (no payment needed)

📊 All Epic Games Store Free Games – January 2026 Complete List

Game Title Genre Developer Free Period Value Status
Total War: Three Kingdoms Strategy Creative Assembly Jan 1 – Jan 8 $59.99 Ended
Wildgate PvPvE Shooter Luckbox Games Jan 1 – Jan 8 $29.99 Ended
Bloons TD 6 Tower Defense Ninja Kiwi Jan 8 – Jan 15 FREE ($13.99) 🟢 Live Now
Styx: Master of Shadows Stealth RPG Cyanide Studio Jan 15 – Jan 22 $19.99 Coming Soon
Styx: Shards of Darkness Stealth RPG Cyanide Studio Jan 15 – Jan 22 $19.99 Coming Soon

🔥 Free Right Now – Claim Today

Available Now
FREE NOW

Bloons TD 6

Tower Defense Strategy

The ultimate tower defense game! Strategically place powerful monkey towers to pop waves of colorful bloons across 80+ unique maps. Features 25 upgradable tower types, 4-player co-op multiplayer, 17 game modes, and the all-new story-driven Frontier Legends mode added in December 2025.

  • 80+ Maps
  • 25 Tower Types
  • 4-Player Co-op
  • 17 Game Modes
  • 16 Power-Ups
  • 130+ Enemy Types
  • Frontier Legends Story
  • Regular Updates
Normal Price $13.99
Now FREE
Steam Rating ⭐ 96%
⏰
January 8 – January 15, 2026 Claim before Thursday at 11:00 AM ET / 5:00 PM CET
🎮 Claim Bloons TD 6 Free →

📅 Coming Next Week – January 15-22, 2026

Upcoming
🎁

Double Styx Giveaway – $39.98 Value!

Epic is giving away BOTH Styx games to celebrate the upcoming release of Styx: Blades of Greed on February 19, 2026. Get the complete goblin assassin saga for free!

COMING SOON

Styx: Master of Shadows

Stealth Action RPG

A dark fantasy stealth game where you play as Styx, a centuries-old goblin assassin. Infiltrate the massive Tower of Akenash, steal precious Amber, and assassinate anyone who stands in your way. Use stealth, cunning, and magical clone abilities to complete your missions.

  • Pure Stealth Gameplay
  • Magical Clone Ability
  • Vertical Level Design
  • Skill Tree System
  • Dark Fantasy Setting
  • 15-20 Hours Playtime
  • Multiple Approaches
  • Challenging AI
Normal Price $19.99
Soon FREE
Steam Rating ⭐ Very Positive
🗓️
January 15 – January 22, 2026 Available starting Thursday at 11:00 AM ET
Available January 15 →
COMING SOON

Styx: Shards of Darkness

Stealth Co-op

The acclaimed sequel with improved stealth mechanics, larger open environments, and 2-player online co-op. Features new abilities including a grappling hook for vertical traversal, an expanded crafting system, and more elaborate assassination opportunities.

  • 2-Player Online Co-op
  • Grappling Hook
  • Larger Open Levels
  • Enhanced Crafting
  • Improved Graphics
  • More Clone Abilities
  • New Enemy Types
  • Better AI System
Normal Price $19.99
Soon FREE
Steam Rating ⭐ Very Positive
🗓️
January 15 – January 22, 2026 Available starting Thursday at 11:00 AM ET
Available January 15 →

⏱️ Previously Free – January 2026 (Expired)

Expired
EXPIRED

Total War: Three Kingdoms

Grand Strategy by Creative Assembly

Epic strategy game set in ancient China during the turbulent Three Kingdoms period. Command legendary warlords, manage your dynasty, and conquer China through diplomacy or warfare.

Was Worth $59.99
Free Period Jan 1-8
Status Expired
EXPIRED

Wildgate

PvPvE Shooter by Luckbox Games

PvPvE extraction shooter with fantasy elements. Enter magical portals, fight monsters and other players, collect loot, and escape before it’s too late. Features class-based gameplay and progression.

Was Worth $29.99
Free Period Jan 1-8
Status Expired

📆 January 2026 Epic Games Free Games Timeline

January 1 – January 8, 2026
Total War: Three Kingdoms + Wildgate Expired
January 8 – January 15, 2026
Bloons TD 6 🟢 Live Now
January 15 – January 22, 2026
Styx: Master of Shadows + Styx: Shards of Darkness Upcoming
January 22 – January 29, 2026
To Be Announced TBA
January 29 – February 5, 2026
To Be Announced TBA

🎯 How to Claim Free Games on Epic Games Store

1

Create Account

Visit epicgames.com and create a free Epic Games account

2

Open Store

Go to store.epicgames.com or open the Epic Games Launcher

3

Find Free Games

Click on “Free Games” in the navigation menu

4

Click Get

Select the free game and click the “Get” button

5

Checkout

Complete checkout (no payment required for free games)

6

Done!

Game is permanently added to your library forever

❓ Frequently Asked Questions – Epic Games Free Games

What is free on Epic Games Store this week?

Bloons TD 6 is free on Epic Games Store from January 8-15, 2026. This popular tower defense game by Ninja Kiwi normally costs $13.99 and has a 96% positive rating on Steam with over 220,000 reviews.

What games are free next on Epic Games Store?

Styx: Master of Shadows and Styx: Shards of Darkness will be free from January 15-22, 2026. Both stealth games are worth $19.99 each, offering a combined value of $39.98 for free.

When does Epic Games release new free games?

Epic Games Store releases new free games every Thursday at 11:00 AM Eastern Time (ET), which is 5:00 PM CET / 4:00 PM GMT. Games are free for exactly one week before rotating.

Do I need to pay for Epic free games?

No, Epic Games Store free games are completely free with no hidden costs. You only need a free Epic Games account. No credit card or payment information is required to claim free games.

Can I keep Epic free games forever?

Yes! Once you claim a free game during its free period, it’s permanently added to your library. You own it forever and can download and play it anytime, even years after claiming.

What was free on Epic Games in January 2026?

January 2026 Epic Games free games include: Total War: Three Kingdoms + Wildgate (Jan 1-8, expired), Bloons TD 6 (Jan 8-15, current), and Styx: Master of Shadows + Styx: Shards of Darkness (Jan 15-22, upcoming).

📖 Epic Games Store Free Games January 2026 – Quick Reference

Current Free Game (January 8-15, 2026)
Bloons TD 6 — Tower Defense by Ninja Kiwi — Worth $13.99 — 96% Steam Rating
Next Free Games (January 15-22, 2026)
Styx: Master of Shadows — Stealth RPG by Cyanide Studio — Worth $19.99
Styx: Shards of Darkness — Stealth Co-op RPG by Cyanide Studio — Worth $19.99
Previous Free Games (January 1-8, 2026) – Expired
Total War: Three Kingdoms — Grand Strategy by Creative Assembly — Was $59.99
Wildgate — PvPvE Shooter by Luckbox Games — Was $29.99
Total January 2026 Savings
Up to $143.94 if you claim all free games this month
New Game Release Time
Every Thursday at 11:00 AM ET / 5:00 PM CET / 4:00 PM GMT
Claim Requirements
Free Epic Games account — No payment information needed
Where to Claim
Epic Games Store: store.epicgames.com/free-games

🎮 Popular Free-to-Play Games on Epic Games Store

In addition to weekly free games, these titles are always free to play:

Fortnite
Battle Royale
Rocket League
Sports
Genshin Impact
Action RPG
VALORANT
Tactical Shooter
Marvel Rivals
Hero Shooter
Fall Guys
Party Game
Honkai: Star Rail
Turn-Based RPG
Zenless Zone Zero
Action RPG
League of Legends
MOBA
Apex Legends
Battle Royale
The Sims 4
Life Simulation
Destiny 2
Looter Shooter

Epic Games Store Free Games: Weekly Rotation, Mobile Giveaways, and History (2026)

The Epic Games Store free games program continues to be a major draw for PC and mobile gamers in 2026, offering premium titles at zero cost every week. While the platform initially built its reputation on PC giveaways, the recent expansion to iOS and Android has introduced a new layer of mobile-exclusive drops and cross-platform titles. This guide covers the current weekly lineup, provides a detailed recap of the massive 2025 holiday mystery events, and explores the complete history of how this program has evolved. Whether you are looking to build your library or just want to know what is available right now, you will find all the essential details below.

Summary: You will find a comprehensive breakdown of the current Epic Games Store free games rotation for 2026, including the new redemption process for mobile users. We also analyze past trends, specifically the 15 Days of Free Games from the 2025 holiday season, to help you predict future giveaways.
TLDR:
  • Epic Games Store free games are released every Thursday at 11 AM ET.
  • You can now claim games directly via the Epic Games Store mobile app on iOS and Android.
  • Once claimed, these games are yours to keep forever; no subscription is required.
  • The “Mystery Game” promotion usually returns during the Mega Sale (May) and Holiday Sale (December).

📑 Table of Contents

What is the Epic Games Store Free Games Program?

The Epic Games Store Free Games program is a long-standing promotional initiative where the storefront offers full digital copies of video games to users at no cost. If you are wondering does epic games store give free games permanently, the answer is yes. Unlike subscription services where you lose access if you stop paying, these titles are added to your library forever as if you had purchased them.

Does epic games store have free games available all the time? Yes, the standard schedule operates on a weekly rotation, typically refreshing every Thursday at 11 AM ET. During this window, you can claim the “Free Game of the Week.” Occasionally, during special events like the Holiday Sale or the Mega Sale, the schedule accelerates to a “Free Game of the Day” format, offering high-value “Mystery Games” that are only available for 24 hours.

How to Claim Free Games on PC and Mobile

With the full launch of the mobile marketplace, the process for securing your free titles has expanded. Whether you are at your desk or on the go, claiming these titles is straightforward. However, before you begin, it is vital to ensure you are setting up your Epic Games account safely with two-factor authentication to protect your growing library.

🖥️ On PC (Browser or Launcher)

If you are looking for epic games store free games for pc, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Epic Games Launcher or visit the website.
  2. Scroll down to the “Free Games” section on the homepage.
  3. Click on the current free title.
  4. Click the “Get” button.
  5. Confirm the order (price will be $0.00).

📱 On Mobile (iOS/Android)

With the epic games store free games on mobile update, you can now claim titles anywhere:

  1. Launch the Epic Games Store app on your device.
  2. Tap the “Free Games” banner at the top.
  3. Note that the epic games store launches free games and third party titles on mobile natively now; verify if the game is PC-only or has a mobile port.
  4. Tap “Get” to add it to your unified library.

Note: When the epic games store giving away free games on mobile devices involves a title that is strictly for PC, you can still claim it via the mobile app. It will simply reside in your library until you log in to a desktop computer to play it.

Recap: Holiday and Mystery Game Events (2024-2025)

The end-of-year sales are famous for the “Mystery Game” vaults. The epic games store free games holiday events are where the biggest AAA titles usually appear. Looking back, 2025 was a standout year, featuring many of 2025’s most popular games in the giveaway lineup.

During the epic games store free games december 2025 event, we saw a mix of high-profile leaks and genuine surprises. While the mystery free games for holiday 2025 leaked early on social media, Epic still managed to surprise fans with bonus content for mobile users. Below is a comparison of the epic games store free games christmas 2025 lineup versus the previous year.

Day / Event December 2024 (Recap) December 2025 (Recap)
Kickoff Mystery Game Destiny 2: Legacy Collection Cyberpunk 2077 (Base Game)
Mid-Sale Highlight Ghostwire: Tokyo Hades II (Early Access)
Christmas Day The Outer Worlds Elden Ring
New Year Finale Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Comparing the epic games store free games december 2024 list to 2025, it is clear that the platform significantly increased the budget for giveaways to promote the new mobile store launch.

The Complete Epic Games Store Free Games History

Since launching in late 2018, the epic games store free games history has been extensive. The program began with Subnautica and has since given away thousands of dollars worth of software per user. The epic games store all free games list includes massive hits like Grand Theft Auto V, Death Stranding, Control, and the Batman Arkham Collection.

If you are looking for the full epic games store free games list 2025 to see what you might have missed last year, the trend shifted heavily towards co-op and multiplayer titles. This strategic shift likely aligns with Epic’s goal to build social connectivity across their PC and mobile ecosystems. We expect the epic games store free games list for 2026 to continue this trend, focusing on titles that offer cross-play functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do you need a subscription to get Epic Games Store free games?

No. Unlike PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass, the Epic Games Store free games are completely free. You do not need to pay a monthly fee, and once you claim the game, it is yours to keep permanently.

Is Fortnite included in the free games rotation?

No, epic games store free games fortnite queries usually refer to the base game, which is a free-to-play live service title available to everyone at any time. However, exclusive skins are sometimes given away or bundled as part of promotional starter packs within the store.

What happens if I miss a free game giveaway?

If you miss the one-week window (or 24-hour window during mystery events), you cannot claim the game for free retroactively. The game returns to its full price, and you must purchase it if you wish to play.

What were the free games for June 19-26?

Looking back at the historical data, the epic games store free games for june 19 26 are the operator and sable. This was a popular week for indie game fans, as both titles are highly rated for their narrative and art style.

Does the Epic Games Store offer mystery games in March?

While December is the primary month for mystery vaults, the epic games store offers free mystery games on march 27 occasionally as part of a Spring Showcase or early Mega Sale event. These are less predictable than the holiday calendar.

Can I play these free games on a Mac?

Yes, but it depends on the developer. The Epic Games Store launcher runs on macOS, but not every free game given away supports the Mac operating system. You must check the system requirements on the game’s store page before downloading.

Written by

Conor Byrne

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