The Epic Games Store kicked off 2026 by revealing two mystery titles that sparked widespread speculation before their official announcement. Total War: THREE KINGDOMS and Wildgate are now available for free, marking the platform’s return to weekly giveaways after its holiday promotion.
Free Games Breakdown (January 1-8, 2026)
| Game Title | Genre | Release Year | Regular Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total War: THREE KINGDOMS | Strategy/RTS | 2019 | $59.99 |
| Wildgate | PvPvE Shooter | 2023 | $19.99 |
| Coming Next: Bloons TD 6 | Tower Defense | 2018 | $13.99 |
Epic Games Store Teases Two Mystery Free Games
Before the official reveal, Epic staff dropped cryptic hints that sent the gaming community into detective mode. The first clue referenced extraction mechanics and strategic departures, while the second mentioned three factions rising from a fallen kingdom—leading many to correctly predict Total War: Three Kingdoms.
Total War: THREE KINGDOMS recreates ancient China’s legendary conflicts with large-scale real-time battles and relationship-building systems. The game holds an 86 average score on OpenCritic and represents the first time this particular Total War entry has been offered free on Epic’s platform.
Wildgate delivers a sci-fi multiplayer shooter experience where players battle across space environments. The game holds a 76 average rating on OpenCritic with “Very Positive” Steam reviews, appealing to fans of competitive extraction shooters.
What’s Coming Next Week
Bloons TD 6 will be available from January 8-15, 2026, marking the fourth time Epic has offered this beloved tower defense title. With nearly 218,000 overwhelmingly positive Steam reviews, it’s considered one of the genre’s finest entries featuring monkeys defending against colorful balloon invasions.
This double giveaway concludes Epic’s holiday promotion that distributed 15 free titles throughout December 2025, including Hogwarts Legacy, The Callisto Protocol, and Disco Elysium. The platform now returns to its standard weekly rotation, continuing its aggressive strategy to build market share against competitors.
For official announcements and future giveaways, visit the Epic Games Store. For more gaming news and reviews, check out TechnoSports for comprehensive coverage.
