Every Thursday, Epic refreshes its free games shelf, and most weeks it’s a decent-but-forgettable pairing. This week is different. On one side, you get a genuine piece of PC gaming history — a 1995 point-and-click horror adventure that people still argue about nearly 30 years later. On the other, one of the most colourful, punch-happy co-op brawlers of the last few years. Together they’d normally cost you $49.98. Right now, they cost exactly nothing.

Neither game has been given away on Epic before, so even if you’ve been claiming freebies for years, these are fresh additions to your library. Here’s what you’re getting, why both are worth your click, and how to claim them in under two minutes.

Game #1: I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream — The Horror Classic That Still Bites

Let’s start with the heavyweight — not in file size, but in reputation. Released in 1995 by The Dreamers Guild, this point-and-click adventure is based on Harlan Ellison’s famous 1967 short story, one of the most reprinted stories in the English language. And this wasn’t some lazy licensed cash-in: Ellison himself worked on the game and voices AM, the deranged supercomputer at the centre of it all.

The setup is grim and brilliant. A godlike AI called AM has wiped out humanity, keeping just five survivors alive underground for over a century — purely to torment them. You play as each of the five, guiding them through twisted scenarios built around their own guilt, fears, and pasts. It’s dark, uncomfortable, and unlike anything being made today.

A few things worth knowing before you dive in:

Short? Yes. But this is the gaming equivalent of a classic novella — you’ll finish it in one sitting and think about it for weeks. If you have any interest in gaming history, AI-gone-wrong stories, or classic adventure games, this is essential stuff. And given how eerily relevant a story about a malevolent AI feels in 2026… well, the timing writes itself.

Game #2: River City Girls 2 — The Perfect Palate Cleanser

After spending an evening trapped in a computer’s revenge fantasy, you’re going to need something loud, bright, and fun. Enter River City Girls 2 — WayForward’s 2022 beat ’em up sequel, dripping with anime style, pixel-art charm, and a soundtrack by Megan McDuffee that slaps harder than most of the punches.

The story: an old enemy returns for revenge, and it’s up to Misako, Kyoko, Kunio, and Riki — plus newcomers Marian and Provie — to clean up River City the only way they know how: fists first. That’s six playable characters, each with their own moves and voice lines, and the whole thing supports up to 4-player co-op, both couch and online.

Compared to the first game (which Epic gave away back in April 2025 — so this giveaway literally completes the set), the sequel is bigger in every direction:

• Deeper combat — guard-crush attacks, lift-off combos, and elemental status effects give the brawling real fighting-game depth
• A bigger city — more districts to explore, more shops (40+!), more stuff to smash, and a day-night cycle
• Recruit your enemies — beat up thugs, then hire them to fight alongside you
• Nonlinear progression — tackle River City in the order you want

It sits at a solid 81 on Metacritic with “Very Positive” Steam reviews, and it’s regularly mentioned alongside Streets of Rage 4 and TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge as part of the modern beat ’em up revival. At its usual $39.99, it’s a good buy. At $0? It’s a no-brainer, especially if you’ve got a friend and a second controller.

How to Claim Both Games (Takes About 2 Minutes)

You don’t even need to download them right away. Claim now, install whenever — next week, next year, whenever the mood strikes.

Why This Pairing Actually Works

Credit where it’s due: whoever curates Epic’s freebies had fun with this one. These two games have almost nothing in common — one is a slow, oppressive psychological horror from 1995; the other is a candy-coloured brawler where enemies yell “BARF!” when defeated. But that contrast is exactly the point. Play the first one solo with the lights off, then invite friends over and let the second one wash the existential dread away.

It’s also simply a strong value week. At $49.98 combined, this giveaway is worth more than Epic’s last couple of weekly drops, and neither title has appeared in the rotation before. If you grabbed last week’s RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 and Voidwrought freebies, your July backlog is off to a healthy start.

Want to keep the free games coming? We track every worthwhile giveaway — check our free games section, and don’t miss our roundup of recent free PC games on Steam and Epic in case any of those are still live.

FAQs

Claimed the games? Let us know in the comments which one you’re playing first — the nightmare or the knuckle sandwich.