The Epic Games Store Free Games for January 15 Are Official Appetizers for New February 2026 Game

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December is typically a very active month for the Epic Games Store. For the first couple of weeks, they continue their tradition of offering 1-2 free games each Thursday, a practice they started seven years ago. But for the rest of the month, Epic Games Store switches to giving away a different free game every single day as a surprise.

Most people agreed that the free games offered daily by the Epic Games Store in December weren’t particularly exciting, with only a few titles like Viewfinder, The Callisto Protocol, and Disco Elysium really standing out among the 14 games given away. However, it’s a new year, and the Epic Games Store has a chance to win players back. Many believe it’s already started to do so, beginning the year with strong freebies like Total War: Three Kingdoms and Wildgate, with Bloons TD 6 currently available. The free games for January 15th are also impressive, not necessarily because of the games themselves, but because they’re seen as a preview of a highly anticipated release coming in February 2026.

The Epic Games Store Free Games for January 15 Explained

Styx: Master of Shadows

  • Released in October 2014
  • Developed by Cyanide Studio
  • Retails for $19.99 on Steam
  • 68 Top Critic Average on OpenCritic
  • Stealth game with RPG elements
  • Developed with Unreal Engine 3
  • Takes 17 hours to finish main story (according to HowLongToBeat)

First launched on PC, Xbox One, and PS4 in October 2014, Styx: Master of Shadows is a stealth game where sneaking and trickery are key. Players take on the role of Styx, a goblin, and must carefully navigate dark fantasy environments, relying on shadows and magical powers to avoid and outsmart enemies. He can even create clones of himself to explore ahead or distract guards.

In terms of story, Styx: Master of Shadows is a prequel to Cyanide’s 2012 game, Of Orcs and Men. Of Orcs and Men takes place in a fantasy world where goblins and orcs are mistreated by humans. Styx was a main character in that game, and Master of Shadows explains how he became the very first goblin.

Styx: Master of Shadows wasn’t a major success with critics. It currently has an average score of 68 on OpenCritic, but reviews vary greatly, from 4/10 to 9/10. Lower scores often point to weak enemy AI, clunky combat, and a lack of refinement. However, reviewers who gave it high marks (8s and 9s) appreciated that it was a challenging, dedicated stealth game – something relatively rare at the time.

Styx: Shards of Darkness

  • Released in March 2017
  • Developed by Cyanide Studio
  • Retails for $19.99 on Steam
  • 72 Top Critic Average on OpenCritic
  • Stealth game with RPG elements
  • Has a 2-player co-op mode
  • Developed with Unreal Engine 4
  • Takes 12 hours to finish main story (according to HowLongToBeat)

Released two years after Master of Shadows, Styx: Shards of Darkness builds on the original’s stealth gameplay and aims to be a better experience in almost every way. The game’s graphics have been updated thanks to a move to Unreal Engine 4, and new features like craftable weapons and a grappling hook add to the improvements over the 2014 title.

Reviews for Styx: Shards of Darkness have been generally positive, earning a 72 on OpenCritic. Common complaints focused on the enemy AI and a feeling that the game wasn’t fully polished. However, reviewers who enjoyed the game highlighted its challenging, hands-off stealth gameplay. A standout feature was the two-player co-op mode, allowing players to experience the stealth action with a friend.

The Epic Games Store Free Games for January 15 Are Must-Plays Ahead of One February 2026 Release

Okay, so Styx: Master of Shadows and Shards of Darkness aren’t exactly AAA masterpieces, and they weren’t the biggest free games Epic Games Store ever gave away. But if you’re into stealth games, trust me, they’re totally worth checking out. Especially now, because after almost ten years, they’re finally making a new Styx game! I’m really excited about that.

Scheduled for release on February 19, 2026, Styx: Blades of Greed appears to be a significant evolution for the fantasy stealth series, especially in how you play the game. Unlike previous entries with smaller areas, this new installment features large, open environments that you’ll navigate using a grappling hook and glider. The third Styx game also introduces new magical ‘Quartz’ powers – including the ability to slow down time, a force blast, and mind control. According to the Steam page, these powers and movement tools aren’t just for fighting and sneaking; they’ll also let you access new areas and revisit old ones in new ways, much like in a Metroidvania game.

Cyanide Studio says the new Styx: Blades of Greed will have a stronger focus on storytelling. The game continues the narrative right after Shards of Darkness and will lead directly into the events of Of Orcs and Men. Developers estimate an average playthrough will take around 20 hours, though how players approach the game could change that length.

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2026-01-11 13:05