As the year 2025 draws to a close, the Epic Games Store is preparing to deliver a surprise that breaks with its usual tradition. For several years, the platform has offered a free game every day during the holiday period via its famous Advent calendar. These digital gifts allow players to collect a variety of titles, from charming indies to blockbusters, without spending anything.
For 2025‑2026, users enjoyed popular games like Hogwarts Legacy Or The Callisto Protocol. But instead of ending this series of gifts with a single game offered on January 1st, the store opted for a notable change. “No need to drag out the suspense any longer, it will be WildGate and Total War Three Kingdoms.” This double announcement constitutes a much more generous end to the cycle than expected.
This decision confirms that the Epic Games Store wants to make this time of year an even more significant event, by offering not one, but two titles from the very first day of 2026.
WildGate: free space exploration and tactical combat
The first of the two games highlighted is WildGatea cooperative shooter set in a futuristic and dynamic universe. Released the previous summer, this game allows players to form squads to explore hostile areas, face various enemies and extract essential resources. Its mix of strategy, team combat and objectives to accomplish gives a sustained pace to the experience.
The reception given to WildGate by the community has been positive, particularly for its immersive universe and its collaborative game mechanics. Available for free, this title becomes an excellent entry point for those who have not yet tried this type of multiplayer adventure.
Total War Three Kingdoms: Strategy and Politics in Ancient China
The second game offered is none other than Total War Three Kingdomsa mainstay of the strategy game series Total War. Set during the Three Kingdoms period in China, this game combines a turn-based strategic campaign with real-time battles. Players must manage their armies, negotiate with other warlords, and sometimes betray or make pacts to achieve their goals.
The tactical depth and rich historical context make this title a must-have for fans of complex strategy. It stands out for its system of diplomacy, its resource management and the variety of possible tactical approaches.
This free gift represents a rare opportunity for strategy fans, but also for novices wishing to try a great classic of the genre.
Availability, calendar and continuation of free games
These two games will be available free of charge from January 1 to 8, 2026 at 5 p.m. sharp. After this period, they will disappear from the list of games offered and can no longer be recovered without purchase.
“These last free Epic Games Store Christmas games will be available from January 1 to 8, 2026, always at 5 p.m. sharp. After this period, the store will return to its usual routine and rhythm: one gift per week.”
Starting January 8, the store will return to its standard operation, which consists of offering a new free game every week. The next title already announced to start this weekly cycle is Bloons TD 6well known to regulars of the Epic Games Store.
This new approach, with two games offered simultaneously to start the year off right, could foreshadow changes in the platform’s communication and engagement strategy in the future, reinforcing the importance of the first days of the year for PC gamers.