Epic Games Store’s mystery games for May 14-21, 2026, have been revealed: Sunderfolk and The Telltale Batman Shadows Edition. Here is what each game offers and how to claim them.
Epic Games Store has unlocked its latest pair of mystery free games, giving PC players until May 21, 2026 to claim Sunderfolk – Standard Edition and The Telltale Batman Shadows Edition at no cost. Together, the two titles carry a combined retail value of roughly $80, with Sunderfolk normally priced at $49.99 on Steam and the Batman Shadows Edition at $29.99 on the Epic Games Store and Xbox. Both games offer vastly different experiences: a co-op tactical RPG and a narrative-driven Batman adventure spanning ten full episodes.
What Is Sunderfolk?
Sunderfolk is a turn-based tactical RPG developed by Secret Door and published by Dreamhaven, the studio founded by former Blizzard president Mike Morhaime. Released on April 23, 2025, it holds a Metacritic score of 79 on PC with generally favourable reviews. GameSpot called it “a great tabletop-inspired game with friends,” praising its cooperative gameplay while noting it struggles as a solo experience.
The game is designed for 1 to 4 players and supports both online multiplayer with mouse and keyboard, and couch co-op where each player uses their phone as a controller via a free companion app. Players choose from six anthropomorphic hero classes: Arcanist (crow), Pyromancer (axolotl), Ranger (goat), Bard (bat), Berserker (polar bear), and Rogue (weasel). Each class has a unique deck of card-based abilities that define their role in combat.
Every NPC in Sunderfolk is voiced by actress Anjali Bhimani, who adjusts pitch, accent, and tone to give each character a distinct personality, replicating the feel of a tabletop Game Master. This approach gives the narrative an unexpectedly personal quality that elevates what starts as a fairly standard high-fantasy setup. The story follows the heroes protecting their village of Arden from a growing corruption threatening the magical tree that keeps darkness at bay.
How Does Sunderfolk Play?
Combat in Sunderfolk revolves around card-based actions. Each turn, every player can play one card from their hand to move, attack, or use a special ability. There is no fixed turn order within the party, meaning teammates can freely discuss and decide who acts first based on the evolving battlefield. You are only locked in once you begin executing a move or attack. Missions typically wrap up in under 30 minutes, making the game easy to pick up and put down.
Levelling up is frequent. Each level typically grants a new card, prompting strategic decisions about which older card to swap out. Combined with one-use items found during missions and upgradable weapons, the progression system maintains a steady sense of growth. Between missions, the party returns to Arden, where players can talk to NPCs, shop for items, donate resources to build or upgrade facilities, and vote on which mission to tackle next. Each player is limited to three conversations per village visit, keeping sessions balanced.
One of the game’s most praised features is how it randomly asks a player to name a building, an ingredient, or a type of enemy, and that name becomes permanent canon in the world. These small touches of personalisation make the shared adventure feel genuinely collaborative and memorable, turning what could be a generic RPG hub into something that belongs to your specific group.
What Is The Telltale Batman Shadows Edition?
The Telltale Batman Shadows Edition bundles together all ten episodes from two full seasons of Telltale’s Batman adventure series: Batman: The Telltale Series (Episodes 1-5) and Batman: The Enemy Within (Episodes 1-5), along with the exclusive Batman Shadows Mode. The Shadows Mode adds hand-recoloured gameplay and remastered textures, giving the entire experience a darker, more stylized visual identity that leans into the noir roots of the Dark Knight.
The story follows Bruce Wayne navigating Gotham’s corrupt political landscape, including Harvey Dent’s mayoral campaign, encounters with crime lord Carmine Falcone, and the fractured line between his public persona and his work as Batman. Player choices throughout dialogue and key story moments affect how the narrative unfolds, offering meaningful branching paths and strong replay value across both seasons. The game carries a 4.7 player rating on the Epic Games Store.
System requirements are modest: a minimum of Windows 7 64-Bit SP1, an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz processor, 3 GB RAM, a DirectX 11 compatible GPU with at least 1 GB VRAM (Nvidia GTS 450 or equivalent), and 30 GB of storage. Audio is English-only, with text support in English, French, German, Spanish (Spain and Latin America), Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.
How to Claim the Free Games
Claiming free games on the Epic Games Store takes less than a minute:
- Go to the Epic Games Store website or open the desktop launcher.
- Log in with your Epic Games account (free to create if you do not have one).
- Navigate to the free games section or search for each title directly.
- Click “Get” on each game’s store page to add it to your library.
Once claimed, both games stay in your library permanently. You can download and play them at any time, even after the free promotion ends on May 21, 2026, at 16:00 UTC. No purchase or subscription is required.
Epic’s Mystery Game Strategy in 2026
Epic Games Store brought back its “Mystery Game” format in 2026, a promotional approach where upcoming free titles are not announced in advance. Instead, the platform drops cryptic hints and teaser videos on social media, building community speculation. This strategy, which frequently appears during Epic Mega Sale periods, has proven effective at driving engagement and store visits. The mystery approach was confirmed ahead of the May 14 reveal, with hints surfacing on social media in the days prior.
The weekly free game programme has been running since the Epic Games Store launched in December 2018, starting with Subnautica and Super Meat Boy. Over the years, hundreds of titles have been given away, ranging from major AAA releases to acclaimed indie games. This consistent cadence has become one of the platform’s strongest competitive advantages against Steam and other PC storefronts.
Who Should Grab These Games?
Sunderfolk is best suited for players who enjoy cooperative experiences and have at least one friend to play with. Its phone-as-controller mechanic makes it exceptionally accessible for groups, similar to the ease of a Jackbox Party Pack but with genuine tactical depth. If you are interested in tabletop RPGs but have never committed to the time and cost of physical sets, Sunderfolk offers a compelling digital alternative. Solo players should temper expectations, as the game loses much of its appeal without teammates.
The Telltale Batman Shadows Edition appeals to a broader audience: Batman fans, narrative adventure enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates choice-driven storytelling. With ten full episodes across two seasons, it offers a substantial amount of content. The Shadows Mode visual overhaul adds a fresh reason to play or replay even for those who experienced the original versions years ago. The low system requirements also mean it runs on virtually any modern PC.
What Was Free Last Week?
The previous week’s Epic Games Store giveaway (May 7-14) featured Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure, available on both macOS and Windows, alongside Trash Goblin, a Windows-exclusive simulation title. Epic’s free game rotation updates every Thursday, and 2026 has already seen dozens of titles given away, from stealth games like the Styx series in January to diverse indie and AAA offerings throughout the spring.
Things Players Often Ask
Can I play Sunderfolk solo?
Technically yes, but the game is designed around cooperative play. Reviews consistently note that the solo experience lacks the strategic depth and social energy that makes the game shine. Playing with at least one other person is strongly recommended.
Do I need a phone to play Sunderfolk?
For couch co-op mode, each player needs the free Sunderfolk companion app on their phone or tablet. In online multiplayer, the game supports mouse and keyboard controls directly, and the Version 2.0 update added full keyboard controls for PC players.
Are the free games permanent?
Yes. Any game claimed during the free window stays in your Epic Games library forever. You can install and uninstall it as many times as you want.
Is The Telltale Batman Shadows Edition the same as the original Telltale Batman games?
It includes all original episodes from both seasons, but adds the Shadows Mode with hand-recoloured visuals and remastered textures. If you played the originals, the visual overhaul gives a noticeably different atmosphere.
What are the next free games?
Epic has returned to its Mystery Game format, meaning the next free titles for May 21-28 have not been officially revealed yet. Hints typically appear on Epic’s social media channels a few days before the unlock.
If you are looking to expand your Epic Games library or explore accounts with extensive collections, the Epic Games account marketplace on GamerMarkt offers a secure platform for buying and selling accounts with verified listings and seller reputation systems.
