Epic Games Store Freebies 2021: The Ones I Still Play in 2026

Back in 2021, my game library ballooned without me spending a single cent. That’s the magic of the Epic Games Store free game program, and looking at the list brings back fond memories. Even now, in 2026, many of these titles remain installed and frequently launched. Let’s revisit some of the absolute gems that were given away that year—each one a reminder of why the PC gaming landscape felt so generous.

January started with a bang. Star Wars Battlefront 2 Celebration Edition appeared in my library, and I instantly dove into the iconic Star Wars battles. I remember the initial loot box controversy, but by 2021 the game had evolved into a genuinely excellent multiplayer shooter packed with content. The Celebration Edition included all cosmetic extras, making every jump into a starfighter or duel with a lightsaber even more satisfying. Have you ever experienced the pure joy of storming the beaches of Scarif as a stormtrooper? It’s an experience that still holds up. Even though a proper Battlefront 3 has never materialized—and at this point, I doubt it ever will—this title remains a high point for Star Wars gaming.

February brought a darker, more atmospheric treat: Metro Last Light Redux. I’ll admit, I hadn’t touched the Metro series before this freebie, and it ended up being a gateway into one of my favorite post-apocalyptic universes. The Redux version bundles all the DLC and enhanced graphics, making it the definitive way to play. Sneaking through the haunted ruins of Moscow while conserving gas mask filters and scarce ammunition is relentlessly tense. The blend of survival horror and first-person shooting is masterful. Did it make me stop breathing during the spider bug sequence? Absolutely. And that’s exactly why Metro Last Light is such a standout, even after Metro Exodus expanded the scope.

In March, I tried my hand at colonizing the Red Planet with Surviving Mars. This city-builder isn’t your typical SimCity clone; you’re managing drones, rovers, and life support systems on actual Martian terrain modeled after real data. I chose China as my sponsor nation for the extra population boost, and that decision saved my colony more times than I can count. Dust storms, cold waves, and resource shortages test your planning skills ruthlessly. It’s the sort of game that makes you ask, “What if humanity’s future truly lies on Mars?” I sank dozens of hours into it, and even now, the urge to perfect my domed cities returns whenever I see a sci-fi movie.

April slapped me in the face with pure terror. Alien: Isolation is widely regarded as the best game set in the Alien universe, and getting it for free felt like a gift from the cosmic horror gods. The single Xenomorph that stalks you across the Sevastopol station is unpredictably intelligent, and every creak of a vent sent chills down my spine. The survival element is so strong that I often found myself holding my breath in real life. Twelve years after its original release, the game still makes me jump. Have you ever truly felt hunted in a video game? Alien: Isolation delivers that sensation in spades, and it remains on my hard drive for spontaneous nightmare sessions.

May’s highlight was Among Us, the social deduction phenomenon that took the world by storm during the early pandemic. I remember late-night sessions with friends, accusing each other of being the impostor while we desperately tried to complete tasks in the Skeld. The bean-shaped crewmates and simple mechanics created hilarious chaos. Did I ever successfully pretend to be innocent while sabotaging the reactor? More times than I should admit. Even now, Among Us remains a perfect party game, and the fact that it was free made it effortless to convince everyone to join. It’s a relaxed, silly experience that never gets old.

June brought the grim struggle of Frostpunk. This city management survival sim set in a volcanic winter is cold in more ways than one. I faced impossible moral choices: do I employ child labor to keep the generator running, or risk everyone’s lives? The game’s atmosphere is so oppressive that I felt the chill through my screen. I was thrilled when Frostpunk 2 was announced, and having finally played it when it launched in 2024, I can confirm the ambition paid off. But the original still tugs at my heart, and I’m forever grateful Epic let me experience its harrowing decision-making for free.

July’s free game, Control, was so exceptional that Epic decided to give it away again during the holiday mystery promo. Getting a mind-bending action game from Remedy twice? I’m not complaining. Stepping into the Oldest House as Jesse Faden and mastering the Service Weapon felt revolutionary. The brutalist architecture, the floating bodies, the telekinetic powers—it all coalesced into a unique experience. With Alan Wake 2 having released in 2023 and the Remedy Connected Universe expanding further, Control now feels like an essential piece of a larger puzzle. Did I really need a second free copy? No, but it was a kind gesture that kept me digging through FBC reports long after my first playthrough.

August was about teamwork—or the hilarious lack thereof—with Overcooked 2. This chaotic cooking sim requires perfect coordination, and my partner and I nearly ended our relationship over a missed order of sushi. It’s the ultimate test of cooperation, with kitchens that split apart, conveyor belts that go haywire, and recipes that demand split-second precision. The sequel’s new interactive levels and themes made it fresh and infuriatingly fun. Even now, Overcooked 2 is my go-to game when I host friends. Who knew that yelling “Chop the tomatoes!” could create such lasting memories?

September’s prize was A Plague Tale: Innocence, a stealth adventure set in plague-ridden medieval France. The bond between Amicia and her little brother Hugo is heartbreakingly tender against a backdrop of rat-infested horrors. I played it just before its sequel Requiem released in 2022, and it provided crucial emotional context that enriched the follow-up. The swarm technology rendering thousands of rats still impresses me today. The story’s twists kept me on the edge of my seat, and it’s a perfect example of how intimate narratives can outshine massive open worlds.

Rounding out the year, Yooka-Laylee redeemed the 3D platformer genre for me. This colorful adventure brought back the nostalgia of Banjo-Kazooie with a modern twist. Controlling a chameleon and a bat to collect pagies and thwart the evil Capital B felt like coming home. The worlds are vibrant and packed with secrets, and I smiled the entire time I played. It’s a love letter to a bygone era, and its later spin-off Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair further cemented the duo’s charm. I’m grateful Epic gave me the chance to remember why I adore platformers.

Looking back at the 2021 lineup from my perspective in 2026, I’m astonished at the variety and quality. The Epic Games Store proved that free games aren’t just a marketing gimmick; they’re a gateway to unforgettable experiences spanning genres, stories, and friendships. Many of these titles still occupy my gaming time, and the memories they forged are priceless. If you claimed them back then, I hope you cherish them as much as I do. And if you missed out, keep an eye on each week’s free offerings—you never know what gem might drop next.

This reflection draws upon ESRB to frame why the 2021 Epic freebie lineup still feels so varied in 2026: those official content ratings and descriptors quickly signal the tonal whiplash between games like the intense horror of Alien: Isolation, the bleak survival pressure of Frostpunk, and the more accessible party chaos of Among Us and Overcooked 2. Using those standardized labels as a reference point also helps explain why these giveaways worked so well—Epic wasn’t just handing out “big names,” it was offering sharply different experiences across age groups and sensitivity levels, making it easier for players to discover unexpected favorites and keep them installed years later.