No excuses: it's time to expand your gaming collection with some brand new games. And better yet, with our help, you can do so without breaking the bank. It's no secret that game prices are climbing higher and tariffs are on the rise. It's no wonder that gamers are looking for something cheap or, if you're lucky, free, to play. Well, guess what? There's a place where you can find free games and pick from many budget-friendly options. We're, of course, talking about the Epic Games Store.

Following Epic Games' success with Fortnite, it took a further step by launching its own store in 2019 to compete with Steam. Unlike Steam, the Epic Games Store provides free games weekly, featuring both indie gems and major AAA titles.

So, how do you take advantage of all these free games? First, you must create an Epic Games account, but don't worry, it doesn't cost a dime. Once you're finished signing up, head to the free games section on the Epic Games Store every Thursday at 8 a.m. PT (11 a.m. ET, 4 p.m. BST) to see the week's selections.

The number of free games each week can vary, but you'll always get at least one. Just remember, there might be some breaks during holidays or days when games aren't announced in advance. Sometimes, like during Christmas, Epic treats gamers to new free games every single day. And the best part? These games are yours to keep forever -- no takebacks.

However, there is a downside. The Epic Games Store is amazing, but it is only available for PC users, so console gamers will miss out. If you're a Mac user, you'll also find games available, but it's a good idea to make sure the game is compatible with your device before you download.

What's the new free game in the Epic Games Store this week? (Aug. 21 to Aug. 28)

Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge

Let me ask you a question: Would you turn down the chance to work at a frog refuge? And if so, here's my followup question: What's wrong with you?

Armor Games Studio dared to ask the question of what it would be like to have a frog sanctuary, and for you, as someone who works there, to look after all the frogs. The answer is Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge, a cozy, creature-collecting game that describes itself as "relaxing" and for "casual" gamers.

Players are able to collect over 500 frogs and add them to their safe haven. As well as breeding and ensuring each frog has a comfortable home, you'll also be photographing these little critters and decorating their home with native plants and other accessories. Whatever your amphibian friends need to thrive, you'll be there to help make it happen.

But it isn't just caring for the frogs, you'll also be getting your boots muddy to help preserve the frog's wetland habitat. From digging ponds to let water roam to planting crops to harvest, you'll have plenty to do in this charming game.

Usually $20, Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge is available for free now via the Epic Games Store. At the time of writing, Kamaeru does not have a review score on the Epic Games Store. On rival storefront Steam, its overall rating is "Very Positive," with its most recent score being "Very Positive."

Strange Horticulture

If you've ever thought, 'I'd like to try my hand at being a mysterious little proprietor at a local plant store,' then you'll be happy to know that such a game exists. Enter Strange Horticulture from developer Bad Viking.

With a name like Strange Horticulture, you shouldn't be surprised to know that your journey begins in the quaint, but quirky, town of Undermere. As the new horticulturist, your job is to find and identify new plants. This seems simple enough, but before you know it, you're thrust into an occult mystery that goes back decades.

A puzzle game at heart, how players interact with their surroundings directly influences how the story unravels. You'll also affect the colorful cast of characters you meet, so make sure you're satisfied with your choices before you do something you might regret.

Will you discover Undermere's dark mysteries, or will they -- and the malignant forces of the town -- unravel you first?

Usually $15, Strange Horticulture is available for free now via the Epic Games Store. At the time of writing, Strange Horticulture has a review score of 4.6 out of 5. On rival storefront Steam, its overall rating is "Very Positive," with its most recent score being "Very Positive."

What will be free in the Epic Games Store next week? (Aug. 28 to Sept. 4)

Machinarium

If you're a fan of Amanita Design, well known for their quirky but adventurously designed games like Botanicula and CHUCHEL, we're certain that Machinarium will be just the game for you.

An award-winning independent game, Machinarium puts you in the robot shoes of Josef. Poor Josef has been just chucked into the shady part of town and, to make matters worse, his girlfriend Berta has just been kidnapped by the Black Cap Brotherhood gang. What's a robot to do?

Described as a "point-and-click" hand-drawn adventure game, players will have to face different logical puzzles, enemies that want to do nothing but send you straight into an oil bath and even mini-games in their quest to find and rescue Berta.

Machinarium has a very steampunk sort of feel to it, with its world being mostly made up of robots and other forms of metal. If you're someone who enjoys world-building, there's plenty to be found in Machinarium.

Usually $17, Machinarium is available for free next week via the Epic Games Store. At the time of writing, Machinarium does not have an official review score on the Epic Games Store. On rival storefront Steam, its overall rating is "Overwhelmingly Positive," with its most recent score being "Very Positive."

Make Way

If you're a collector of Hot Wheels, or have been in the past, but wanted something similar to play with in a video game format, then developer Ice BEAM has made just the game for you.

Make Way is a top-down, multiplayer racing car game with one huge twist: You're the one making the courses that your little cars speed across. That means you can make your game as chaotic and as twisted as you like, adding deadly hazards, incredibly devastating weaponry and any other accessory you can think of to make life absolute hell for you and your friends.

Better yet, these courses can be modified over time and worked on with friends. You don't need to try and kill one another all the time, but what's the fun in playing fair?

Usually $13, Make Way is available for free next week via the Epic Games Store. At the time of writing, Make Way does not have an official review score on the Epic Games Store. On rival storefront Steam, its overall rating is "Very Positive," with its most recent score also being "Very Positive."

Previous free games in the Epic Games Store

Curious whether your favorite game has been selected as one of Epic's free games in the past, or wondering what you've missed? We have you covered.

Epic Games Store free games in 2025

• Machinarium (Aug. 28 to Sept. 4)
• Make Way (Aug. 28 to Sept. 4)
• Strange Horticulture (Aug. 21 to Aug. 28)
• Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge (Aug. 21 to Aug. 28)
• Hidden Folks (Aug. 14 to Aug. 21)
• Totally Reliable Delivery Service (Aug. 14 to Aug. 21)
• 112 Operator (Aug. 7 to Aug. 14)
• Road Redemption (Aug 7. to Aug. 14)
• Keylocker (July 31 to Aug. 7)
• Pilgrims (July 31 to Aug. 7)
• Legion TD 2 (July 24 to July 31)
• Sid Meier’s Civilization VI (July 17 to July 24)
• Figment 2: Creed Valley (July 10 to July 17)
• Sky Racket (July 10 to July 17)
• Backpack Hero (July 3 to July 10)
• Figment (July 3 to July 10)
• Sable (June 26 to July 3)
• The Operator (June 19 to 26)
• Two Point Hospital (June 12 to June 19)
• Ogu and the Secret Forest (June 5 to June 12)
• Deathloop (June 5 to June 12)
• Tiny Tina's Wonderland (May 29 to June 5)
• Limbo (May 29 to June 5)
• Deliver At All Costs (May 22 to May 29)
• Gigapocalypse (May 22 to May 29)
• Sifu (May 22 to May 29)
• Dead Island 2 (May 15 to May 22)
• Happy Game (May 15 to May 22)
• Touch Type Tale (May 8 to May 15)
• Deadtime Defenders (May 8 to May 15)
• Super Space Club (May 1 to May 8)
• Chuchel (April 24 to May 1)
• Albion Online (April 24 to May 1)
• Botanicula (April 17 to April 24)
• Firestone Online Idle RPG (April 17 to April 24)
• River City Girls (April 10 to April 17)
• Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms (April 10 to April 17)
• Arcadgeddon (April 10 to April 17)
• Cat Quest II (April 3 to April 10)
• Cat Quest (March 27 to April 3)
• Neko Ghost, Jump (March 27 to April 3)
• Jurassic World Evolution 2 (March 20 to March 27)
• Mortal Shell (March 13 to March 20)
• World of Warships: Anniversary Party Favor DLC (March 13 to March 20)
• Them's Fighting Herds (March 6 to March 13)
• Mages of Mystralia (Feb. 27 to March 6)
• World War Z Aftermath (Feb. 20 to Feb. 27)
• Garden Story (Feb. 20 to Feb. 27)
• F1 Manager 2024 (Feb. 13 to Feb. 20)
• Humankind (Feb. 6 to Feb. 13)
• Beyond Blue (Feb. 6 to Feb. 13)
• Undying (Jan. 30 to Feb. 6)
• Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery (Jan. 23 to Jan. 30)
• Escape Academy (Jan. 16 to Jan. 23)
• Turmoil (Jan. 9 to Jan. 16)
• Hell Let Loose (Jan. 2 to Jan. 9)
• Kingdom Come Deliverance (Jan. 1)

Epic Games Store free games in 2024

• Sifu (Dec. 31)
• [Redacted] (Dec. 30 to Dec. 31)
• Orcs Must Die 3 (Dec. 29 to Dec. 30)
• Kill Knight (Dec. 28 to Dec. 29)
• Hot Wheels Unleashed (Dec. 27 to Dec. 28)
• Ghostrunner 2 (Dec. 26 to Dec. 27)
• Control (Dec. 25 to Dec. 26)
• Dredge (Dec. 24 to Dec. 25)
• Darker and Darker: Legendary Status (Dec. 23 to Dec. 24)
• Wizard of Legend (Dec. 22 to Dec. 23)
• TerraTech (Dec. 21 to Dec. 22)
• Astrea: Six Sided Oracles (Dec. 20 to Dec. 21)
• Vampire Survivors (Dec. 19 to Dec. 20)
• The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria (Dec. 12 to Dec. 19)
• Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (Dec. 5 to Dec. 12)
• Brotato (Nov. 28 to Dec. 5)
• Beholder (Nov. 21 to Nov. 28)
• Castlevania Anniversary Collection; Snakebird Complete (Nov. 14 to Nov. 21)
• Apex Legends Ash Unlock Bundle; Deceive Inc (Nov. 7 to Nov. 14)
• Witch It; Ghostwire: Tokyo (Oct. 31 to Nov. 7)
• Moving Out (Oct. 24 to Oct. 31)
• Kardboard Kings; Invincible Presents: Atom Eve (Oct. 17 to Oct. 24)
• Empyrion: Galactic Survival; Outliver: Tribulations (Oct. 10 to Oct. 17)
• Bear and Breakfast (Oct. 3 to Oct. 10)
• The Spirit and The Mouse (Sept. 26 to Oct. 3)
• TOEM; The Last Stand: Aftermath (Sept. 19 to Sept. 26)
• Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland; Super Crazy Rhythm Castle (Sept. 12 to Sept. 19)
• Football Manager 2024; Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts (Sept. 5 to Sept. 12)
• Wild Card Football; Fallout: Classic Collection (Aug. 29 to Sept. 5)
• Gigantic: Rampage Edition; The Callisto Protocol (Aug. 22 to Aug. 29)
• Death's Gambit: Afterlife (Aug. 15 to Aug. 22)
• Cygni: All Guns Blazing; DNF Duel (Aug. 8 to Aug. 15)
• Lumbearjack (Aug. 1 to Aug. 8)
• F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch; Olympics Go! Paris 2024 Exclusive Outfits Pack (July 25 to Aug. 1)
• Maid of Sker; Arcade Paradise (July 18 to July 25)
• Floppy Knights (July 11 to July 18)
• The Falconeer (July 4 to July 11)
• Sunless Skies: Sovereign Edition (June 27 to July 4)
• Rumble Club Free Game of the Week Bonus; Freshly Frosted (June 20 to June 27)
• Redout 2; Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms (June 13 to June 20)
• Marvel's Midnight Suns (June 6 to June 13)
• Chivalry 2 (May 30 to June 6)
• Farming Simulator 22 (May 23 to May 30)
• Dragon Age: Inquisition – Game of the Year Edition (May 16 to May 23)
• Firestone Free Offer; Circus Electrique (May 9 to May 16)
• Orcs Must Die! 3, Cat Quest II (May 2 to May 9)
• Lisa: Definitive Edition, Industria (April 25 to May. 2)
• Town of Salem 2; The Big Con (April 18 to April 25)
• Ghostrunner (April 11 to April 18)
• Thief; The Outer Worlds: Spacer's Choice Edition (April 4 to April 11)
• Islets (March 28 to April 4)
• Invincible Presents: Atom Eve; Call of the Wild: The Angler (March 21 to March 28)
• The Bridge; Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (March 14 to March 21)
• Astro Duel 2 (March 7 to March 14)
• Aerial_Knight's Never Yield (Feb. 29 to March 7)
• Super Meat Boy Forever (Feb. 22 to Feb. 29)
• Dakar Desert Rally (Feb. 15 to Feb. 22)
• Lost Castle; Doki Doki Literature Club Plus (Feb. 8 to Feb. 15)
• Doors: Paradox (Feb. 1 to Feb. 8)
• Infinifactory (Jan. 25 to Feb. 1)
• Love (Jan. 18 to Jan. 25)
• Sail Forth (Jan. 11 to Jan. 18)
• Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (Jan. 4 to Jan. 11)
• A Plague Tale: Innocence (Jan. 3 to Jan. 4)
• 20 Minutes Till Dawn (Jan. 2 to Jan. 3)
• Escape Academy (Jan. 1 to Jan. 2)

Epic Games Store free games of 2023

• Ghostrunner (Dec. 31, 2023, to Jan. 1, 2024)
• Saints Row (Dec. 30 to Dec. 31)
• Snakebird Complete (Dec. 29 to Dec. 30)
• Cat Quest (Dec. 28 to Dec. 29)
• Cursed to Golf (Dec. 27 to Dec. 28)
• Human Resource Machine (Dec. 26 to Dec. 27)
• The Outer Worlds: Spacer's Choice Edition (Dec. 25 to Dec. 26)
• Ghostwire: Tokyo (Dec. 24 to Dec. 25)
• Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition (Dec. 23 to Dec. 24)
• Art of Rally (Dec. 22 to Dec. 23)
• Melvor Idle (Dec. 21 to Dec. 22)
• DNF Duel (Dec. 20 to Dec. 21)
• Destiny 2: Legacy Collection (Dec. 13 to Dec. 20)
• Predecessor, Gigabash (Dec. 7 to Dec.13)
• Mighty Fight Federation; Jitsu Squad (Nov. 30 to Dec. 7)
• Deliver Us Mars (Nov. 23 to Nov. 30)
• Surviving the Aftermath, Earthlock (Nov. 16 to Nov. 23)
• Golden Light (Nov. 9 to Nov. 16)
• Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion (Nov. 2 to Nov. 9)
• The Evil Within 2; Tandem: A Tale of Shadows (Oct. 26 to Nov. 2)
• The Evil Within; Eternal Threads (Oct. 19 to Oct. 26)
• Q.U.B.E. Ultimate Bundle; Blazing Sails (Oct. 12 to Oct. 19)
• Godlike Burger (Oct. 5 to Oct. 12)
• Soulstice; Model Builder (Sept. 28 to Oct. 5)
• The Forest Quartet; Out of Line (Sept. 21 to Sept. 28)
• 911 Operator (Sept. 14 to Sept. 21)
• Spelldrifter (Sept. 7 to Sept. 14)
• Cave Story Plus (Aug. 31 to Sept. 7)
• Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak (Aug. 24 to Aug. 31)
• Dodo Peak; Black Book (Aug. 17 to Aug. 24)
• Orwell: Keeping an Eye on You; Europa Universalis IV (Aug. 10 to Aug.17)
• Loop Hero, Bloons TD 6 (Aug. 3 to Aug. 10)
• Severed Steel; Homeworld Remastered Collection (July 27 to Aug. 3)
• The Elder Scrolls Online; Murder by Numbers (July 20 to July 27)
• Train Valley 2 (July 13 to July 20)
• Grime (July 6 to July 13)
• The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet of Chaos (June 29 to July 6)
• The Hunter: Call of the Wild; Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms (June 22 to June 29)
• Guacamelee 2; Guacamelee Super Turbo Championship Edition (June 15 to June 22)
• Payday 2 (June 8 to June 15)
• Midnight Ghost Hunt (June 1 to June 8)
• Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition (May 25 to June 1)
• Death Stranding (May 18 to May 25)
• The Sims 4 The Daring Lifestyle Bundle (May 11 to May 18)
• Kao the Kangaroo; Horizon Chase Turbo, Against All Odds (May 4 to May 11)
• Poker Club; Breathedge (April 27 to May 4)
• Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna); Beyond Blue (April 20 to April 27)
• Second Extinction; Mordhau (April 13 to April 20)
• Shapez; Dying Light: The Following -- Enhanced Edition (April 6 to April 13)
• Tunche; The Silent Age (March 30 to April 6)
• World of Warships Starter Pack: Ishizuchi; Chess Ultra (March 23 to March 30)
• Warhammer 40,000: Gladius -- Relics of War (March 16 to March 23)
• Call of the Sea (March 9 to March 16)
• Rise of Industry (March 2 to March 9)
• Duskers (Feb. 23 to March 2)
• Warpips (Feb. 16 to Feb. 23)
• Recipe for Disaster (Feb. 9 to Feb. 16)
• Dishonored: Death of the Outsider; City of Gangsters (Feb. 2 to Feb. 9)
• Hell Is Others, Adios (Jan. 26 to Feb. 2)
• Epistory: Typing Chronicles (Jan. 19 to Jan. 26)
• Gamedec: Definitive Edition; First Class Trouble; Divine Knockout (Jan. 12 to Jan. 19)
• Shadow Tactics: Aiko's Choice; Kerbal Space Program (Jan. 5 to Jan. 12)

Epic Games Store free games of 2022

• Eximus: Seize the Frontline; Dishonored: Definitive Edition (Dec. 29, 2022, to Jan. 5, 2023)