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| Epic Games is giving away one game and numerous in-game items for PC gamers this week, logo pictured. |
The countdown to March is officially on. With just one week left in February, the Epic Games Store is turning up the heat by offering a diverse double-feature of atmospheric horror and hardcore MMOFPS survival action.
Before we dive into what’s new, a crucial heads-up for procrastinators: today is your absolute last chance to snag the current freebies. Nobody Wants to Die and The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark are scheduled to leave the building at 16:00 UTC today. If you haven’t already added those narrative-driven titles to your library, you’ll want to head over to the storefront immediately via our corresponding article for direct links.
Once the clock strikes 16:00 UTC, the digital shelves will be stocked with two distinctly different experiences: the chilling, narrative-driven exploration of Return to Ash, and a massive content bundle for the popular multiplayer survival game, Stalcraft: X.
This Week’s Free Titles (Available until February 26th)
Consistent with recent weeks, Epic Games is focusing on titles playable on Windows PC. Here is what you can claim for free starting later today.
Return to Ash (Full Game)
If you are a fan of psychological horror and pixel-art aesthetics, this is the headline act. Normally retailing for $5.99, Return to Ash is a first-person mystery horror game that tasks players with exploring a cursed, abandoned island. Drawing comparisons to titles like Gone Home but with a sinister twist, the game relies heavily on atmosphere, environmental storytelling, and slowly mounting dread rather than jump-scares.
The indie title has resonated well with the community, maintaining "Very Positive" reviews on Steam. Players praise its unsettling mood and intriguing narrative, though it remains a hidden gem with limited coverage on aggregators like Metacritic and OpenCritic.
Stalcraft: X – Starter Edition (DLC / In-Game Items)
Stalcraft: X is a unique beast in the gaming world—a hardcore survival MMO that mashes up the brutal sandbox of Stalker with the blocky aesthetic of Minecraft. While the game itself is free-to-play, the Stalcraft: X Starter Edition being given away this week is usually a paid pack that provides a significant boost to new players.
This bundle is less about a traditional game and more about a treasure trove of consumables, gear, and cosmetics designed to give you a leg up in the dangerous Zone. The full list of unlocks includes:
- Weapons & Gear: A Military Issued FN SCAR-L, Classic M9 Pistol, and an Aurora-B Jumpsuit.
- Artifacts: A Battery artifact (115%) and an Ice Hedgehog artifact (115%) for stat boosts.
- Cosmetics: Follower Skin, Hexagon-C camouflage for armor, and Hexagon-C camouflage for weapons.
- Consumables: Massive packs of ammo, Military First-Aid Kits, American MREs, Desperol, Energy Drinks, and Injectors.
- Utility: A Sports Bag and 7 days of Premium account status.
It is worth noting that while the base game of Stalcraft: X has garnered a dedicated player base, its reviews on Steam currently sit at a "Mixed" rating, often citing the grind that this Starter Edition aims to alleviate.
Compatibility and How to Claim
For players wondering about performance, only Return to Ash has been officially flagged by the publisher as being fully compatible with both Xbox and DualSense controllers, making it a perfect couch game for those using a PC setup. If you are looking for a new controller for the occasion, you can check current deals on renewed models here on Amazon.
To add these titles to your library forever, simply log into your Epic Games Store account and visit the respective store pages once the promotion goes live:
Looking Ahead
With this week marking the penultimate giveaway of February 2026, all eyes are now on what Epic has planned for the first week of March. Historically, the storefront has used the transition between months to offer heavy-hitting titles, so speculation is already running high in the community.
For now, however, the focus is on the here and now. Whether you are delving into the lonely horrors of a forbidden island or gearing up to survive the faction wars in the Zone, this week’s offerings provide a solid reason to keep that Epic Games Launcher updated.