This week's Epic Games Store freebies are two games you probably haven't heard of, but will instantly want to try

Epic Games is continuing its tradition of giving away freebies to those who pass by its store, like a wandering merchant with no real concept of value. Although this week’s offerings might have the most generic titles you’ve ever heard, there’s plenty more to Havendock and Hyper Echelon than first meets the eye.

Look a little closer at the Epic Games freebies and you’ll find a cozy colony simulation game and a ship-based space shooter ripped directly from your favorite memories at the arcade when you were a kid. Or, if you were born this millennium, your dad’s favorite memories of the arcades. Ask him, he’ll understand.

Let’s start with the colony sim. The first of the free Epic games this week, Havendock looks adorable. Sitting somewhere between Timberborn and Subnautica when it comes to vibes, you’ll build a haven for castaways on and around your desert island. This includes massive jetty systems and even underwater environments. With quirky-looking characters and funky events galore, this 2025 game could be the answer to Pokopia for the Switchless among us.

Havendock usually costs $19.99 / £15.99 on Epic. The game has 82% positive ratings on Steam, landing it a ‘very positive’ rating, but that rises to 90% positive in the last 30 days, likely thanks to the Wizard Island DLC that launched at the end of last year.

Hyper Echelon, on the other hand, does not look cozy in the slightest. A classic arcade shooter with the pixel art to match, this is a little slice of the past – hopefully, with some modern quality of life improvements. I want to highlight the UI in particular, which gives me a bigger blast of nostalgia than every Saturday morning cartoon could give me, combined. Sitting at 88% positive reviews on Steam, this seems like a game that is primed to find its audience.

Whereas Havendock first released last year, Hyper Echelon is older, first releasing in 2021. Developer GangoGames hasn’t slacked since then, though, as the game received an update as recently as December 2025. If you want to reminisce about the arcade shooters of yesteryear – or enjoyed last year’s moreish Ball x Pit – this is well worth picking up. Who am I kidding? It’s free. Of course you’re going to grab it. But maybe actually play this one, rather than let it languish in your library gathering dust.

Both Havendock and Hyper Echelon are free to keep from Thursday March 26 through Thursday April 1. You can grab them here.

You may not have heard of this week’s free Epic games before this very moment, and their names may not inspire much confidence. But closer inspection reveals two varied experiences that have provoked hugely positive responses from their respective communities. If that’s not enough for you to consider loading one of them up, I don’t know what is.