 |
| A Tomb Raider game could be in line for the upcoming giveaway. Pictured: an edited artwork of Lara Croft. |
The Epic Games Store is officially in full giveaway mode once again. Alongside its massive Mega Sale event, the platform is treating PC gamers to another round of mystery free games – and if you thought the first batch was surprising, just wait until you see the clues for what’s coming next.
Both the Mega Sale and the mystery giveaway event are scheduled to run until June 11, 2026, giving players plenty of time to claim each title as it drops. The first pair of mystery freebies landed with a mix of unexpected picks and one spot-on prediction, and now Epic has just released a new set of hints for the second batch. As usual, they’re delightfully confusing.
First Batch Surprised Everyone – Except One Redditor
For those who missed the initial reveal, Epic kicked things off with two titles that left many guessing wrong. The first was Sunderfolk – a charming, cooperative tactical adventure that almost nobody saw coming. The second was Telltale Batman Shadows Edition, which turned out to be exactly what Redditor u/Prophet_NY had called days earlier. A rare win for the rumor mill.
Now, all eyes are on round two. Epic Games Store took to social media to share cryptic visuals hinting at the next pair of free games, and the community has already gone into overdrive trying to decode them.
Check out the official hint thread from Epic Games right here.
Clue #1: The Pickaxe Symbol – Mining, Crafting, or Something Else?
The first clue appears to be a simple but evocative icon: a pickaxe. On the surface, that screams mining, digging, and underground exploration. Naturally, the speculation floodgates have opened.
The most popular predictions so far point to several beloved indie hits:
- Forager – a quirky, open-world crafting and resource-gathering game that’s currently available for $6.99 on Humble Store (grab it here). Its pickaxe-wielding protagonist and focus on excavation make it a strong candidate.
- Core Keeper – the underground survival-crafting sensation that has players mining, building, and uncovering ancient secrets.
- Deep Rock Galactic – a co-op first-person shooter where you play as a space dwarf mining alien planets. “Rock and stone” indeed.
Others believe the pickaxe could point to one of the SteamWorld Dig entries, or even a collection of them. And then there are the wilder guesses – some fans on Reddit are convinced it might be a Tomb Raider game, given Lara Croft’s frequent use of climbing axes and her knack for raiding ancient tombs. That would be a much bigger AAA surprise, but stranger things have happened.
Clue #2: Glitchy Horror or Swashbuckling Action?
The second clue is where things get truly bizarre. Epic’s teaser image appears to be a glitchy, distorted picture – and many fans are convinced they see the shape of Freddy Fazbear from the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise. If that turns out to be accurate, Epic would be giving away one of the most iconic horror games of the last decade.
However, not everyone is sold on the FNAF theory. Other popular interpretations suggest the glitched image could represent:
- Dead Cells – the acclaimed roguelite action-platformer with its own distinctive pixel-art style and decaying atmosphere.
- A pirate ship game – perhaps Sea of Thieves, or something smaller like Raft or Salt 2. The glitch effect has also been compared to the visual distortion seen in certain nautical horror titles.
Given Epic’s track record of mixing indie gems with occasional blockbusters, either outcome would generate serious excitement. A FNAF game would bring in the horror crowd, while Dead Cells would appeal to action-roguelite fans – and a pirate-themed title could be a summer-appropriate surprise.
When Will We Know for Sure?
The good news is that the wait is almost over. Epic Games Store will officially reveal the second batch of mystery free games on May 21, 2026, and they will be available to claim immediately after that. As always, each title will be free for one week only, so you’ll want to grab them before the next pair takes over.
It’s also worth noting that Epic has been known to drop additional hints between now and the reveal date. Keep an eye on their social channels – the company enjoys teasing its community with even more cryptic clues leading up to the big moment.
Why the Mystery Giveaway Matters
Epic’s free game program has become one of the most anticipated recurring events in PC gaming. Unlike subscription services that lock titles behind monthly fees, Epic gives away games – often high-quality ones – for absolutely nothing, no strings attached. The Mega Sale adds extra discounts on thousands of other titles, making it a great time to browse the store even beyond the freebies.
The mystery element adds a layer of fun. Each clue sparks days of speculation, wishful thinking, and the occasional heated debate over whether a pickaxe means Minecraft (unlikely) or Spelunky (possible). Whether you’re team FNAF or team Deep Rock Galactic, the reveal on May 21 is shaping up to be another highlight of Epic’s spring calendar.
Final Take: Claim, Play, Repeat
If history is any guide, the second batch of mystery free games will be well worth your time. Sunderfolk and Telltale Batman Shadows Edition set a solid bar, but the pickaxe and glitchy-image clues suggest something even more crowd-pleasing might be on the horizon.
Set a reminder for May 21, keep your Epic Games Store launcher updated, and prepare to add a couple more titles to your backlog – because free is free, and mystery makes it all the more fun.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links to Humble Bundle. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through those links, at no extra cost to you.
Just some friendly teasing 😉 pic.twitter.com/Yp2AIF8pgN
— Epic Games Store (@EpicGames) May 14, 2026