Both major PC storefronts are busy this week with no-cost additions. Steam has announced eight titles that will remain free forever, expanding its already extensive free-to-play catalog. At the same time, the Epic games store is running a limited-time promotion for the colorful roguelike auto-battler Knightica. The two events give players a chance to experiment with a wide range of genres without touching their wallets.
Steam adds eight permanent free titles
The new Steam lineup covers everything from atmospheric exploration to competitive multiplayer. Beyond Dawn offers a first-person adventure set in a decaying metropolis, using a striking 3D ASCII art style. Players scavenge, build underground bases, and probe the enigmatic Liminal Corporation across branching timelines. Fly Cowboy Online drops players into aerial dogfights in a post-apocalyptic sky, where factions battle for scarce resources and gear upgrades. Meanwhile, Hellbent delivers a third-person, soulslike experience in which a knight navigates purgatorial realms using customizable elemental gauntlets; each death resets the run.
Strategic minds can try Kingslayers, a turn-based roguelite that blends tactical combat with deep character customization. The game, fresh in Early Access as of 8 Nov 2026, also includes AI-generated artwork and a fast-paced PvP mode. Detective fans might appreciate Lestvitsa, a point-and-click RPG set in early-2000s Russia, though it currently supports only Russian. Love, Death & My Daughter merges a simulated desktop interface with an emotional narrative about a mother’s love, wrapping up in about three hours.
Co-op enthusiasts can dive into Tall Orders, where two players guide tiny gnomes inside a wizard’s potion shop, manipulating oversized objects to brew magical concoctions. Finally, Vahnora expands the free-to-play roster with a full-scale fantasy MMORPG offering eleven classes, world-boss hunts, and large-scale faction warfare. Together, these eight games illustrate the breadth of content that can thrive without a price tag, from indie experiments to ambitious online worlds.
Epic Games Store hands out Knightica
From 12 Nov to 19 Nov 2026, the Epic Games Store makes Knightica available at no cost. The title is a roguelike auto-battler that borrows a bright, Kirby-inspired aesthetic; its knight mascot even resembles Meta Knight. Players assemble a squad of units, place them on a turn-based battlefield, and watch automated combat resolve while seeking optimal synergies and enchantments. The game’s design encourages experimentation, letting players decide whether to charge a powerful boss head-on or retreat to a quirky shop for upgrades.
Since its summer launch, Knightica has gathered over 1,100 “mostly positive” reviews on Steam, with players describing it as “ludicrously addicting” and a perfect outlet for “roguelike autobattler” cravings. Claiming the game requires a simple login to an Epic account, adding the title to the library, and then downloading it before the promotion expires at 11 a.m. EST on 19 Nov. The offer exemplifies Epic’s weekly habit of gifting full games, a practice that keeps its storefront competitive and draws attention to indie developers.
Both platforms demonstrate how free distribution can spotlight hidden gems alongside established franchises. Whether you prefer the ASCII-styled wanderings of Beyond Dawn or the strategic skirmishes of Knightica, there is a no-cost experience waiting this week.
