Two free games, two universes : an Epic week of total contrast
This is the weekly drop doing absolute wonders for our gaming libraries without spending a single dime. This week, the Epic Games Store shakes up our routines offering two radically different vibes. We jump straight from the purest tactical thinking to a massive festival of twisted metal and explosions in the far future. Let us tell you right now, you have plenty to keep you busy for the next few days. And as always, once the games are claimed, they stay permanently in your library, even after the promo ends.
⚠️ Deadline : both games are free until June 18, 2026. Past this date, they go back to their regular prices. Claim them now, you can always play them later.
The Ouroboros King : when chess meets the Roguelike genre
Discovering a chess-based game right in the middle of 2026 is admittedly quite a bold move. The formula turns out to be incredibly addictive and deserves your full attention. The Ouroboros King fuses the millennial structure of this legendary board game with the infinite replayability of modern roguelike mechanics. Solo-developed by Oriol Cosp and released in February 2023, this low-key title successfully won players over : its "Very Positive" rating on Steam (81% positive reviews out of over 430 tests) is absolutely earned. You have to build a unique army, collect powerful relics and buy surprising gadgets to defeat the Coven and free the Kingdom of Thessalonica.
What I saw in the gameplay
Looking closely at the mechanics in action, we see units possessing real special moves, and the chessboard incorporating environmental blocking elements. This heavily brings to mind the incredibly rewarding tactical phases of Heroes of Might and Magic, with an added layer of accessibility. Here, you build your army totally free from theoretical openings. The game features 57 different pieces, including fairy chess pieces with highly atypical behaviors, all combined with a relic system deeply modifying your army's behavior every run. This is the perfect title for short and intense sessions.
💾 Watching The Ouroboros King, I got a sudden flashback of my Battle Chess sessions on DOS. The pieces brutally tearing each other apart during captures, that profound feeling of weight behind every single move. Here, you get that exact same energy, amplified with relics, procedural maps and a replayability value the old Battle Chess could not even fathom.
- Pure tactics : a single move per turn, every decision leading you to glory or demise. You learn the game in just a few minutes, bypassing the need for theoretical openings.
- Roguelike spirit : upon defeat, you restart in another timeline featuring a different map and new rewards. The permanent progression enriches your mastery with every single run.
- Local multiplayer : ideal to challenge a buddy on the same screen using totally revamped pieces. This mode radically alters the whole dynamic compared to classic chess.
💡 System requirements : The Ouroboros King is extremely lightweight. Any PC under ten years old runs it effortlessly. No dedicated graphics card is required.
The official The Ouroboros King trailer. In thirty seconds, you understand everything.
🕹️ The Ouroboros King : developed by Oriol Cosp (solo dev). Released in February 2023. Regular price : $9.99. Steam Rating : Very Positive (81%). Available for free on the Epic Games Store until June 18, 2026.
Claim The Ouroboros King for free on the Epic Games Store
Warhammer 40,000 : Speed Freeks : the worthy heir to Carmageddon
Radical change of scenery diving brutally into the ruthless Warhammer 40K universe. Here, diplomacy is settled with massive rocket launcher hits and reinforced bumpers. Speed Freeks, developed by Caged Element and published by Wired Productions since May 2025, features completely unhinged Orks piloting heavily armed buggies, tanks, and helicopters. The game went through an early access phase and radically changed for its 1.0 version : microtransactions are entirely gone, replaced by over 170 cosmetics unlockable simply by playing. The controls are immediate, ultra-fun and designed to deliver an instant adrenaline rush.
The perfect stress reliever for a gaming night with buddies
This title shapes up to be a massive stress reliever. The goal is crystal clear : speeding at full throttle and pulverizing all other competitors utilizing an explosive arsenal. The different game modes, notably the convoy attacks, immediately echo the frenetic vibe of Carmageddon mashed up with the best action sequences of Mad Max. Crossplay is fully supported across PC (Steam and Epic), PS5, and Xbox Series X/S since the console launch in May 2026. The Creation Mode, boasting 400 available elements, allows you to build your own tracks and share them via the community Mek Workshop. This is the ideal experience to go wild for a few evenings with your buddies.
- The Deff Rally mode : massive 8v8 clashes where cunning and aggression dictate the rules. It is loud, it is violent, it is exactly what we crave.
- The Kill Konvoy mode : protect your giant Stompa while sabotaging the opposing team's rig in total chaos. This is the mode where alliances last exactly thirty seconds.
- Ork customization : a full Workshop to pimp your vehicles and impose your style on the battlefield. Over 170 cosmetics are included in the base game, completely free of microtransactions.
💬 Speed Freeks radiates the exact same energy as the Waaagh itself : too loud, too fast, too noisy. And that is precisely what we want from it.
The Warhammer 40,000 : Speed Freeks trailer. Crank the volume all the way up, doing otherwise would be a shame.
🕹️ Warhammer 40,000 : Speed Freeks : developed by Caged Element, published by Wired Productions. Version 1.0 released on May 22, 2025. Regular price : $15.99. Steam Rating : Very Positive (85%). Crossplay PC/PS5/Xbox Series X|S. Available for free on the Epic Games Store until June 18, 2026.
Claim Warhammer 40,000 : Speed Freeks for free on the Epic Games Store
FAQ : everything you need to know before claiming these games
Until when can we claim these games for free ?
Both games are available at no cost until June 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM (Eastern Time). Once claimed in your Epic Games library, they belong to you permanently, even if you put off playing them right away.
Do I need an Epic Games account to claim these games ?
Yes, a free Epic Games account is required. Setting it up takes less than two minutes if you do not have one yet. Head over to the official Epic Games Store website, create your account and claim the titles directly from their dedicated pages.
Is The Ouroboros King hard to pick up without any chess knowledge ?
Not at all. The game incorporates a progressive approach requiring absolutely zero knowledge of theoretical openings. Grasping the basic piece movements is more than enough. The roguelike system handles the rest : you learn something new on every run, resulting in a highly natural learning curve. Runs last between 15 and 45 minutes, making it a stellar title for quick gaming bursts.
Does Warhammer 40K Speed Freeks play well solo, or is it multiplayer only ?
Speed Freeks offers bot matches for solo sessions, allowing you to practice and progress independently of other players' availability. Multiplayer clearly remains the core highlight of the title, featuring full crossplay across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, while the game remains perfectly enjoyable outside peak hours.
Do these games require demanding PC specs ?
The Ouroboros King runs on virtually any machine lacking a dedicated graphics card. Speed Freeks is more demanding due to its 3D visuals, yet remains highly accessible on a mid-range setup.
The weekly selection : two perfect ambassadors for their genres
Do not wait for the offer to expire to add these two titles to your library. Whether you are in the mood to plan your moves five turns ahead or scream "WAAAGH" while flooring the gas pedal, this week's lineup checks all the boxes. Normally priced at $9.99, The Ouroboros King is an outstanding strategic masterpiece that might have flown under your radar despite its affordable price. Speed Freeks, usually sitting at $15.99, is a perfectly oiled multiplayer stress reliever ready for the upcoming summer. You have two excellent reasons to boot up the Epic Games Launcher tonight.
What about you, which one tempts you the most ? The chessboard or the Waaagh ? Sound off in the comments right below !
