Every Thursday at 5 p.m., thousands of PC gamers frantically refresh the free games page on the Epic Games Store. This week again, the platform hits hard with an independent title praised by players and a significant bonus for a popular MMOFPS.
Until February 26, 2026 at 4:59 p.m., Return to Ash can be collected for free and kept permanently. At the same time, the Starter edition of Stalcraft X is also offered at no cost. Two distinct offers, the same rule: you must add them to your library before the deadline.
Return to Ash, an independent narrative game praised by players
Released on July 10, 2025 and developed by Serenity Forge, Return to Ash falls into the category of narrative experiences centered on emotion and player choices.
The storyline follows Ashleigh, a young woman hospitalized who wakes up in the afterlife. Far from a terrifying universe, she discovers a suspended space, similar to a purgatory, where other souls also seem stuck. The story is built around the encounters and decisions made by the player. The relationships formed directly influence the progress and outcome of the story.
On the Epic Games Store, the game displays an average of 4.6/5. A score which reflects a favorable reception and which contributed to its promotion this week. The offer remains available until February 26, 2026 at 4:59 p.m. Once added to the library, the title remains available indefinitely.
Stalcraft X, a free boost for new players
In addition to the free game, the Epic Games Store offers a Starter pack for Stalcraft X, the free-to-play MMOFPS developed by EXBO. This additional content aims to facilitate entry into the game world by granting several immediate advantages:
- 7 days of Premium
- FN SCAR-L Service – 1 piece
- Aurore-B suit – 1 piece
- M9 Classic – 1 piece
- Sports bag – 1 piece
- Ice Hedgehog (115%) – 1 piece
- Battery (115%) – 1 piece
- Hexagon-C Camouflage for Weapon – 1 piece
- Hexagon-C Camouflage for Armor – 1 piece
- Follower Skin – 1 piece
- Bag 5.56 – 10 pieces
- Injector – 25 pieces
- Military First Aid Kit Pouch – 10 pieces
- Jiden EXTRA energy drink – 15 pieces
- American MRE – 15 pieces
- Desperol – 15 pieces
A well-established schedule for free Epic Games Store games
The Epic Games Store’s strategy is based on a simple and effective mechanism: weekly renewal, every Thursday at 5 p.m. On February 27 at 5 p.m., two new titles will replace the current offerings. Players will be able to collect Boxes – Lost Fragments, a puzzle game featuring a thief expert in stealing treasure, as well as My Night Job, a horror action title where you have to defend an old building against waves of monsters. This regular rhythm allows users to plan their retrievals and gradually enrich their library.
Why these offers still attract so many PC gamers
Over the years, the Epic Games Store has established itself as a key player in the distribution of free games on PC. The model is simple: one account is enough to add one or more titles each week without spending a cent.
Between highly rated indie games, narrative experiences, multiplayer titles and premium packs, the variety of offerings helps keep players interested. This week’s combination of an acclaimed narrative single-player game and a generous MMOFPS bundle perfectly illustrates this strategy.
The deadline remains set for February 26, 2026 at 4:59 p.m. After this deadline, Return to Ash and the Starter Edition of Stalcraft X will give way to new free content.