The Epic Games Store end-of-year campaign ended on January 1, 2026, with the offer of three free games for PC and mobile devices, which can be redeemed until January 8, at 1 pm Brasília time. The titles available were the acclaimed strategy game Total War: Three Kingdoms and the space shooter Wildgate for computers, while Skul: The Hero Slayer was exclusive to cell phones.

The final selection of games, however, generated a wave of frustration among part of the gaming community. Durante weeks, rumors and false lists circulated intensely on social media, creating a strong expectation that Red Dead Redemption 2, the western epic from Rockstar Games, would be the platform’s big gift. The confirmation of the real titles disproved the rumors, but still guarantees permanent additions to the library of users who redeem within the deadline.

The Epic Games initiative distributed more than 17 free games during the 2025 holiday season, alternating between big-budget (AAA) productions and prominent independent titles. The strategy aims to attract millions of new players and keep the user base engaged. With the end of the daily promotion, the store returns to its weekly offers format, having already confirmed Bloons TD 6 as the next free game.

Expectations frustrated by Red Dead Redemption 2

Speculation surrounding Red Dead Redemption 2 as the final mysterious game gained strength in the last weeks of 2025. Forged Listas and viral publications on forums and social networks fueled the hope of players, who associated the possibility with the history of Epic, responsible for offering Grand Theft Auto V for free in 2020, an event that congested the platform’s servers at the time.

When the real games were revealed, disappointment quickly spread across the internet. The frustration turned into an avalanche of memes, criticism and discussions on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, where users lamented the lost opportunity to get one of the most acclaimed games of the last decade for free.

Industry analysts point out that, even though they are not confirmed, these rumors end up generating massive traffic to the digital store. The mystery gaming campaign, which began on December 11, 2025 and included titles such as Hogwarts Legacy, maintained suspense and public attention until the last day, fulfilling its marketing objective.

Despite not being offered for free, Red Dead Redemption 2 continues to be a sales success and can be found with discounts on other platforms, such as Steam, where it frequently appears in promotions. In Epic Games Store itself, the title remains at its standard price, with no provision for free.

Total War: Three Kingdoms recreates Chinese historical era

Total War: Three Kingdoms, developed by Creative Assembly and published by Sega, is the main highlight among the games offered. The title transports players to the year 190 AD, a turbulent period in ancient China marked by the collapse of the Han dynasty. The game masterfully combines a turn-based conquest campaign with real-time tactical battles, which can involve thousands of units simultaneously on the battlefield. Players take command of one of twelve legendary warlords, whose stories are inspired by the classic novel “The Romance of the Três Reinos”, seeking to unify the country under their flag.

One of the game’s most innovative systems is “Guanxi”, which manages the complex interpersonal relationships between characters, directly influencing diplomacy, alliances, rivalries and betrayals between factions. Cada hero has unique skill trees, allowing for deep strategic customization. The game received critical and public acclaim, boasting “Very Positivas” reviews on Steam and a score of over 76 on aggregators such as OpenCritic. The active community also contributes hundreds of mods that expand the content, ensuring near-infinite replayability. Para a fluid experience, recommended requirements include a GTX 1060 graphics card and 16 GB of RAM.

Wildgate delivers multiplayer space combat

Developed by Moonshot Games and Dreamhaven, Wildgate presents itself as a first-person PvPvE (player versus player versus environment) shooter, with an intense focus on combat aboard spaceships. Lançado in early access, the title challenges players to manage critical resources such as fuel, ammunition and ice to survive on dynamic and dangerous maps.

Matches pit teams against each other in lethal arenas, where the objective is to collect artifacts and upgrades while dodging space obstacles and enemy fire. The extraction mechanic, similar to games like Escape from Tarkov, adds an extra layer of tension, as the destruction of the ship results in the end of the game for the player.

The game has been well received in its initial phase, with “Very Positivas” reviews at Steam praising the fluidity of the combat and the variety of equipment available. The servers support up to 12 players per match, and the developers have promised a continuous cycle of updates based on community feedback.

Innovative mechanics define Skul on mobile

For mobile gamers, Skul: The Hero Slayer offers a 2D roguelike action experience. Desenvolvido by SouthPAW Games, the title inverts the classic archetype of the genre, placing the player in the role of a small skeleton, the anti-hero

The game’s main mechanic is the ability to swap skulls, with each one granting completely different abilities and playstyles, ranging from melee attacks, projectiles, or enhanced mobility. With more than 30 possible combinations and procedurally generated phases, each match is unique and requires constant adaptation from the player.

How to redeem games quickly

The process for securing games is simple and quick. Users simply need to access Epic Games Store via the official website or PC launcher, log into their account and click the “Get” button on each title’s page. Once redeemed, games are permanently added to the library and can be downloaded at any time. It is essential to check hardware compatibility and required disk space before installation, as Total War: Three Kingdoms requires around 60 GB, while Wildgate takes up 20 GB.

Review of Epic’s end-of-year campaign

Epic Games’s 2025 year-end promotion was a notable success, distributing games valued at hundreds of reais and driving a record number of downloads and new registrations on the platform. Títulos as Total War: Three Kingdoms, which even years after its release in 2019 still maintains an active player base, have seen a new spike in interest. The company’s strategy of offering added value through free games has proven effective in retaining users and competing directly with giants such as Steam and GOG. Dados company internals indicate millions of annual redemptions, with a high retention rate among new users, which reinforces the store’s expansion plans for 2026, including more cross-play integrations between PC and mobile devices. The expectation is that the platform will continue with aggressive promotions throughout the year to solidify its position in the digital game distribution market.

Expansions increase the replayability of Total War

The longevity of Total War: Three Kingdoms is amplified by its many expansions, which add new layers of historical and strategic depth. Conteúdos and the “Eight Princes” DLC introduce a civil war in the Jin period, bringing new factions and playable generals. Já the expansion “World Betrayed” advances the timeline to the year 200 AD, focusing on iconic characters such as Lü

These content packs not only expand the map and narrative, but also refine the artificial intelligence of opponents, which react more dynamically to the player’s tactics. Real-time battles benefit from strategic use of terrain, allowing for ambushes in dense forests or devastating cavalry charges across open plains, making each encounter a unique challenge.