Free This Week on Epic Games Store: Emotional Visual Novel and MMO Starter Pack

The latest selection of free titles on the Epic Games Store offers a striking contrast in gameplay, catering to both fans of emotional storytelling and those seeking high-stakes action. This week, gamers can secure the poignant visual novel Return to Ash at no cost, while fans of survival shooters can grab a feature-rich Starter Pack for Stalcraft: X.

Return to Ash

Prepare for an atmospheric and emotionally resonant experience with Return to Ash. This 2025 release follows the journey of Ashleigh, who finds herself waking up in a surreal interpretation of the afterlife. The game’s haunting tone is set by its evocative opening description: “The hospital was empty. Quiet, and brighter than usual… like waking up on a snow day. But I didn’t feel cold. I didn’t feel much of anything.” As players explore this ethereal world, they must forge meaningful bonds with other lost souls while navigating trials orchestrated by Death itself.

Stalcraft: X Starter Edition

Stalcraft: X is a massive multiplayer experience set within the grim confines of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. The game masterfully blends fast-paced FPS mechanics with the tension of survival horror, tasking players with outlasting both rival survivors and mutated horrors. While the base game is free-to-play, Epic and developer EXBO are offering a significant leg-up via a free Starter Pack. This bundle is loaded with weapons, consumables, and cosmetic items designed to help new recruits survive their first few nights in the Zone.

Both Return to Ash and the Stalcraft: X Starter Edition can be claimed for free by simply logging into your Epic Games Store account. Act quickly, as the offer expires on Thursday, February 26, at 11:00 a.m. EST.

This latest giveaway continues a strong month for the platform; earlier in February, Epic users were treated to titles such as Nobody Wants to Die, The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark, and Botany Manor, as well as premium content for Pixel Gun 3D.

Source: Polygon