We’ve hit the big time this week, folks! The Epic Games Store is giving away three games this weekend, not counting two more from Indie Gala and a Warhammer 40,000 strategy game from GOG! Plus other recent indie releases that span the gamut of game genres!
I hope you enjoy what you find here, and thanks for reading!
Unless otherwise mentioned, all images shown below are from their respective Steam sales pages.
This may be one of the most exhilarating titles available this week! You are a bird, and the game is a flying simulator as one of those majestic animals! From watching the trailer, it seems to have some good customization options including different perspectives and even a detailed “engineering” mode that highlights many types of physics involved in flight. For those who can’t get enough, you may also want to try SOLANIS, which is a similar style of game that I shared in another Friday’s Free Games.
Art House is a dark, psychological puzzle platformer. You play as a mother whose loved one has recently died. Somehow, you travel into your mother’s paintings, through which you can come to terms with your grief. In the trailer, character movement and animation seems a little weird, but the narration and themes appear well done. Intriguing!
Bioprototype (Survivor Roguelite)
This is an overhead survivor action game where you’re playing as what looks like a blob. Like many games of the genre, there’s a lot of choices to make with your upgrades, but the game also features some programming elements. I definitely liked the music in the trailer too, which is a plus. One thing to know about this game is that it is going to be free for two months, from May 20 to July 20. After that, I think it is going to be delisted again. Apparently the game has a pretty messed up history that you can read about in the news page for the game on Steam. I appreciate the developers being honest about their problems and what happened in 2024, as best as they can share.
The Bloody Cross (Top-down Walking Simulator)
While I typically don’t discuss religious perspectives on this blog, I will say that when I saw this I did a lot of thinking about whether or not I was going to discuss it. Then I reflected on the fact that I have mentioned multiple games over the last few months that I personally am not too interested in, but think some of my readers may enjoy. Such games are usually horror-themed or quite violent. In the case of this one, it is also bloody, but inspired by Christian themes and the crucifixion of Jesus. I will say that I am curious about this title, and I do consider myself to be a Christian. Because this game seems to have merit for those who are interested in its subject matter (based on its reviews), I am including it here. Note: The game contains depictions of blood, death, addiction, emotional trauma, and suicide.
With its neat sci-fi aesthetic where you play as a little robot, this seems like it may be a fun action roguelike dungeon crawler. You can scavenge enemy parts and swap out arms, legs, and weapons. Cool touch!
Cannon Guys (Multiplayer Party Game)
I almost never include multiplayer games on these lists, but Cannot Guys is going to be an exception. Apparently it is a port of a mobile game with a heavy focus on multiplayer in the style of Team17’s Worms games, but with a card-collecting aspect added. Because of that title’s important place in multiplayer gaming history, I am including this title in today’s post. I’m hoping fans of the Worms games enjoy this one, too. It looks fun!
For those who have wanted to take part in an 80’s or 90’s action movie from an top-down perspective, now is your chance! Deadfall is a bloody, overhead shooter in the spirit of those films. You can use a variety of weapons and vehicles to destroy your enemies. It is free at Indie Gala.
Deliver At All Costs (Vehicular Destruction)
OK, this game is just absurd and looks like over-the-top driving mayhem! It reminds me of an old-school GTA game in perspective, but with the delivery aspect of Crazy Taxi. Incredibly, it just came out and is currently free at the Epic Games Store!
DragonLoop: Prologue (Metroidvania)
Along with its appealing art style, DragonLoop: Prologue also features a time loop mechanic that is a main part of its metroidvania gameplay. As is implied by the word “prologue,” this is a specially customized 3-day loop of the game, containing about 1 hour of gameplay.
Echo Rift (Rhythm-based Action)
Of all the games this week, Echo Rift probably rocks the most! It’s a rhythm-based action game where you have to move from square to square as you attack the boss. Otherwise, rock n’ roll is gone from the city forever… The trailer is a lot of fun!
Exit Limbo: Opening (Beat’em up)
If there’s anything that this game has going for it, it’s the art style! Think of it as a darker, grittier TMNT beat ‘em up with exploration and adventure elements along with the gore of Mortal Kombat. Unfortunately, it never really found an audience. It is available for free at Indie Gala.
Considering the popularity of Godzilla and King Kong, this game is a great idea with an entertaining cartoony art style. According to the sales page, it tries to invoke the fun of Rampage, but then reviews say something different! It’s actually just a clicker game where the faster you click the more powerful your Kaiju becomes. It’s free at the Epic Games Store right now.
This is a dark boomer shooter with gothic horror themes as a major part of its art design. In the reviews, people repeatedly say that the game is cool and has quality music. Some aspects of it didn’t seem like my jam, but the quality seems to be there! 96% of 27 reviews are positive!
Since this is one of the most ambitious RPG Maker games I’ve seen, I made sure to include it. In the game’s description the developer admits that the game has problems and is incomplete. On the other hand, the game also has multiple character races and classes to choose from, 24 followers to find, 11 weapons, a dozen dungeons, and an Adventurers Guild. All in all, I think it sounds like more good than bad and I hope people give it a chance!
Mutants: Genesis (Card Battler)
For me, Mutants: Genesis has some of the neatest art style that I’ve seen for the games featured today. It is a card battler that can be played online or solo in a campaign mode. Moreover, it is one of the most popular games of the week. It has over 370 reviews thus far!
One’s Own Exile (Top-down Adventure)
What would you do to fit in? Would you deny yourself so that you would be able to live and survive? These are some of the questions that are asked in One’s Own Exile which is a top down adventure title with dark and emotional themes. I think the title will resonate with some players, and I hope it helps them in a positive way. Note: The game does have depictions of violence, death, and self-harm.
Poco (Point & Click Adventure)
This is a point and click puzzle adventure game with some remarkable artwork! The title can be completed in about half an hour and a lot of people seem to find it really engaging visually. It is currently rated as very positive with over 80 reviews!
The very popular third-person brawler, Sifu, is available for free at the Epic Games Store this week. If you missed out on it last time, here’s your chance again. I’m not saying much about it because I figured most of my readers know what this game is.
Smoke Break! (Puzzle Adventure)
Another rather popular new release where you play as a puff of smoke who is trying to get to a pie at a bakery. All the while avoiding bakers who want to capture you! Essentially it ends up being a pretty short puzzle adventure game. What reviewers really like about it is that it is cute and charming. However one said the game was popular with speed runners as well, which is cool to hear! I will say that I did notice a lot of repeated phrases in the reviews, so I was concerned that some are fake. It currently has 35 reviews with a positive rating.
Super TSA (Third-person Life Sim)
This is a game with a key message. It is a life sim where you step in the shoes of an autistic person. The purpose being to foster understanding and build a more inclusive world. I wish the developer well, and I hope it does what is desired! Although, I want to point out that it seems like some of the goals just have you walk into a room and they are done? That seemed confusing to me.
Tiny Sheriff (Action Platformer)
I have to say that this is a rather cute 2D platformer where you use your shotgun to move around. I especially liked the music and the art style from the trailer, along with the atmosphere! It reminds me of Tankazooka, which I also mentioned in a prior Fridays Free Games.
According to the game’s trailer, Upfall is about bouncing, dodging and near-death experiences. From looking at the game’s sales page, the pixel art design reminds me of ZX Spectrum titles or when playing Game Boy games on a Super Game Boy with a specific palette applied. As you burst bubbles, you progress upwards and the game becomes more difficult. I will say that the title of the game totally reminds me of Downwell.
War Grid Hero (Tactical Card Game)
Although this is probably pretty niche, I want to share this turn-based war game using decks of cards. It looks like you are supposed to use your units to take over a small grid playing field. Once it’s filled up, the winner is declared based on the amount of land acquired. I hope it is a real good gameplay experience!
Warhammer 40,000: Rites of War (Strategy)
Looking for a classic hex-based strategy game from close to the turn of the century to scratch that nostalgia itch? This Warhammer 40K title may be the right one to grab while you can! The reviews over at GOG rave about this game with players praising the campaign, storyline, gameplay, and music. The latter of which can be downloaded legally in MP3 format as a “goodie” once you have the game! It is available at GOG for free until early next week!
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