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| The upcoming mystery free game could be Kerbal Space Program 2. Pictured: edited cover photo of the title. |
The Epic Games Store's 2025 holiday giveaway is in full swing, treating gamers to a rapid-fire series of free titles. The event, which began with the blockbuster Hogwarts Legacy, has now progressed through six mystery games, with the latest being the critically acclaimed detective adventure, Paradise Killer. The promotion has captivated players not just with the games themselves, but with the suspense surrounding each daily reveal, especially after a cryptic clue sparked a frenzy of speculation for the December 23rd title.
Paradise Killer: A Last-Chance Detective Adventure
For a limited time, players can step into the neon-soaked shoes of Lady Love Dies, the investigator tasked with solving a mass murder on a strange, artificial island. Paradise Killer is a genre-blending experience that mixes open-world exploration with visual novel storytelling, earning a strong 81/100 average score from critics and an 85% recommendation rate.
Key Details:
- Claim Deadline: Available until December 23 at 11:00 AM ET / 4:00 PM GMT.
- Gameplay: A non-linear murder mystery where you collect evidence, interrogate suspects, and ultimately decide who is guilty.
- Critical Reception: Praised for its unique vaporwave aesthetic, memorable characters, and investigation system that feels like real detective work.
Claiming the game is straightforward: visit the Epic Games Store, find Paradise Killer on the free games page, and click "Get" to add it permanently to your library.
The Cryptic Clue That Fueled Wild Speculation
As the Paradise Killer giveaway neared its end, attention turned to the next mystery game. Unlike previous days, an apparent Epic Games staff member shared a tantalizing hint on the official Discord server, describing the upcoming title as "extremely challenging" and requiring a "deep understanding of the drop rates." The clue famously advised players to "use a spreadsheet" to manage the game's difficulty.
This message immediately set the community's prediction engines into overdrive. The mention of spreadsheets and complex data led many to believe the game could be the infamous spacefaring MMO EVE Online, often jokingly called a "spreadsheet simulator" for its deep economic and logistical systems. Other popular guesses included:
- Terraria or Stardew Valley for their random loot mechanics, though neither is considered extremely difficult.
- Kerbal Space Program, where players often use spreadsheets for complex mission planning.
The speculation became so intense that a dedicated Reddit thread was filled with theories and hopes from the community. You can see the full range of fan predictions and discussions here.
The Big Reveal: Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
When the clock struck 11:00 AM ET on December 23, the mystery was solved. Contrary to all the spreadsheet-centric speculation, the seventh free game was revealed to be Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night.
Developed by Koji Igarashi, the mind behind classic Castlevania games, Bloodstained is a gothic Metroidvania action-RPG. Players control Miriam, a heroine who absorbs shards from demons to gain new abilities, using them to explore a vast, interconnected castle. While the game is challenging and does involve managing loot and crafting, it seems the cryptic clue was more of a playful red herring than a direct description.
- Availability: Free to claim until December 24 at 11:00 AM ET.
- A Notable First: Bloodstained is the first game in this year's holiday giveaway to feature cooperative play through its "Chaos Mode".
A Look at the Giveaway So Far
The holiday event has offered a diverse mix of genres. Here’s a summary of the confirmed games to date:
| Date (2025) | Free Game | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 11 - 18 | Hogwarts Legacy | Action RPG |
| Dec 18 - 19 | Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel | Action Adventure |
| Dec 19 - 20 | Eternights | Action RPG |
| Dec 20 - 21 | Blood West | Horror FPS |
| Dec 21 - 22 | Sorry We're Closed | Survival Horror |
| Dec 22 - 23 | Paradise Killer | Detective Adventure |
| Dec 23 - 24 | Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night | Metroidvania Action-RPG |
A Word on Leaks and What's Next
The hype around the cryptic clue was further amplified by a widely circulated leaked schedule that appeared online earlier in the month. This list promised a staggering lineup ending with Red Dead Redemption 2 on New Year's Eve. However, this leak has proven largely inaccurate, as shown by the games already given away.
| Date on Leaked List | Promised Game | Actual Game Given |
|---|---|---|
| December 22 | Chicken Police: Paint It Red | Paradise Killer |
| December 23 | Loop Hero | Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night |
This serves as a reminder that only the official Epic Games Store announcements are reliable. The good news is that the giveaway is only halfway through. Epic has confirmed that nine more free games are planned, with the promotion running daily until the final title is available on December 31.
Don't Forget the Extras
Beyond the daily games, the Epic Games Holiday Sale is also the chance to grab one free month of Discord Nitro for eligible accounts, and earn boosted Epic Rewards on purchases.
The Epic Games Store's 2025 holiday event continues to be a major highlight of the season. With Paradise Killer available for just a little longer and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night now free for 24 hours, there's no better time to expand your game library at no cost. Be sure to check the store daily to see what surprise awaits next.
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| The hint on the Discord server |
December 23 Mystery Game Leaks/Speculation
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