Another Thursday means a fresh round of free PC games courtesy of the Epic Games Store, and it’s one of those weeks for hidden gems. While it can be nice finding a big triple-A spectacular just sitting on the table for grabs, oftentimes you’ll already have bought those you really cared about. There’s a different sort of magic to getting a free game you haven’t heard of, trying it, and discovering something special, and this latest pair could do exactly that. Here’s what you can pick up for nothing from today.
First on the list we have Agent A: A Puzzle in Disguise. This 1960s spy-themed adventure game pits you as the eponymous Agent A, tasked with infiltrating the base of your scheming rival Ruby La Rouge. This plays out as a series of escape-room-styled puzzles that will test you on how observant and thoughtful you are of the shifting hideouts and traps around you – especially as Ruby attempts to turn the tables. Expect around 100 puzzles across 35 unique environments, with slick point-and-click transitions making it quick to navigate.
The whole escapade is presented with elegant style and all the panache of a good James Bond or Inspector Gadget adventure, and wrapped with some charming humor to top it off. Agent A has earned Valve’s elusive ‘overwhelmingly positive’ rating on Steam, with 95% of user ratings giving it a thumbs up. Depending on how savvy your puzzle-solving is, you might be looking at anywhere between four and eight hours for a full playthrough – that’s good going at any time, but especially so when you can grab your copy for free.
Our other offering for the week is Bad Cheese, which takes the 1920s animation stylings seen in the likes of early Mickey Mouse and puts a decidedly less sanitary spin on them. Think of this as the dark counterpart to Mouse: PI For Hire. Bad Cheese is a psychological horror where you’re a tiny rodent helping your dysfunctional dad keep the house in order while mom’s away.
Among the busywork of cleaning, dusting, cooking, and helping to find things for your father, there are all manner of hidden alcoves and treasure tucked away in drawers to discover. Unfortunately, the house itself also has some more sinister demons lurking in the shadows. All of its gross-out art and freaky monster designs aren’t just there for effect, however, as Bad Cheese actually has a story to tell. Just be warned, as it’s not a particularly happy one (although you probably didn’t need me to tell you that).
Agent A: A Puzzle in Disguise and Bad Cheese are both available for free via the Epic Games Store from Thursday October 15 at 8am PT / 11am ET / 4pm GMT / 5pm CEST until Thursday October 22 at at 8am PT / 11am ET / 4pm GMT / 5pm CEST. They’re yours to keep once claimed. Just head here to get them while the offer lasts.
The scary season is set to continue next week too, as Epic is promising horror adventure, Home, along with satisfying co-op survival FPS, Sker Ritual, in the run-up to Halloween.