{"id":6891,"date":"2026-07-06T15:10:48","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T12:10:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/?p=6891"},"modified":"2026-07-06T15:11:50","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T12:11:50","slug":"epic-games-free-games-july-2026-this-week-next-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/epic-games-free-games-july-2026-this-week-next-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Epic Games Free Games This Week and Next: July 2026 Full Schedule"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Epic Games Store continues its weekly two-game giveaway in July 2026. This week features River City Girls 2 and I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream. Next week brings Tattoo Tycoon and Nova Lands.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Epic Games Store is giving away two free games for the 11th consecutive week. The current lineup includes I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream<\/strong> and River City Girls 2<\/strong>, claimable until July 9, 2026 at 5 PM CET \/ 11 AM EDT<\/strong>. The storefront has already confirmed the next giveaway: Tattoo Tycoon<\/strong> and Nova Lands<\/strong> will be free from July 9 to July 16. The combined value of all four titles across both weeks is $99.96.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Week’s Free Games: July 2 to July 9<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Based on Harlan Ellison’s celebrated 1967 short story, I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream<\/strong> is a point-and-click adventure set in a nightmarish future where a sentient supercomputer called AM has wiped out humanity. Players control five survivors, each trapped in psychological scenarios designed to break them. Originally released in 1995, the game is now available on PC, Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation. Its normal price on the Epic Games Store is $9.99.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

River City Girls 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

River City Girls 2<\/strong> by WayForward is a pixel-art beat ’em up that builds on its predecessor with a larger map, expanded combat system, and a roster that now includes Misako, Kyoko, Kunio, Riki, Marian, and Provie. It delivers classic arcade-style action across the streets of River City. Normal price: $39.99.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next Week’s Free Games: Tattoo Tycoon and Nova Lands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Starting July 9 at 8 AM PDT \/ 11 AM EDT \/ 5 PM CET, two new freebies go live. Neither title has been offered free on the platform before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tattoo Tycoon ($29.99 Value)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tattoo Tycoon<\/strong> is a management simulation developed by German studio CrazyBunch and published by HandyGames (also German). Released in October 2025 for PC and Nintendo Switch, it places players in charge of the last tattoo parlour in Tattuga Bay. The gameplay loop involves reading client preferences, selecting designs, completing the tattooing process through skill-based mini-games, and reinvesting revenue into equipment, staff, marketing, and new locations across different districts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The game holds a 4.1-star average on the Epic Games Store. It is not the deepest management sim available, but its charming premise and accessible mechanics have earned it a loyal following among fans of tycoon-style games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nova Lands ($19.99 Value)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nova Lands<\/strong>, developed by Brazilian indie studio Behemutt and published by HypeTrain Digital, is a 2D sandbox automation game released in 2022. Its creators describe it as a blend of Factorio, Satisfactory, and Forager<\/strong>. Players land on a mysterious planet, gather resources, build production chains, and automate their base using helper robots. As the operation scales, new technologies unlock and players can explore neighbouring islands with unique biomes, creatures, caves, and secrets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nova Lands has earned strong reviews: an 80 on OpenCritic, a 4.8-star user rating on the Epic Games Store, and “Very Positive” status on Steam with 89% positive reviews out of 1,113 English-language ratings. Most reviewers praise the cosy atmosphere and addictive automation loop, noting 20 to 30 hours of relaxing content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

July 2026 Free Game Calendar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Game<\/th>Normal Price<\/th>Free Period<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Complete Edition<\/td>–<\/td>June 25 – July 2<\/td><\/tr>
Voidwrought<\/td>–<\/td>June 25 – July 2<\/td><\/tr>
I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream<\/td>$9.99<\/td>July 2 – July 9<\/td><\/tr>
River City Girls 2<\/td>$39.99<\/td>July 2 – July 9<\/td><\/tr>
Tattoo Tycoon<\/td>$29.99<\/td>July 9 – July 16<\/td><\/tr>
Nova Lands<\/td>$19.99<\/td>July 9 – July 16<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to Claim Free Games on the Epic Games Store<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

New free games drop every Thursday at 8 AM PDT \/ 11 AM EDT \/ 5 PM CET. Here is how to claim them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Create an Epic Games account<\/strong> at store.epicgames.com if you do not have one. It is free.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Log in<\/strong> through the Epic Games Launcher on PC or through a web browser.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Navigate to the Free Games section<\/strong> on the store’s homepage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Click “Get”<\/strong> on each game to add it to your library. You do not need to download it immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Keep it forever.<\/strong> Once claimed during the promotional window, the game stays in your account permanently.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    You can also claim games through the Epic Games mobile app, available on Android worldwide and on iOS in the EU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What Has Epic Given Away in 2026 So Far?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The Epic Games Store started 2026 with a massive holiday giveaway: 17 free games between December 11, 2025 and January 1, 2026, headlined by Hogwarts Legacy. Since returning to its weekly format in January, the store has maintained its tradition of one or two free games every Thursday. Notable titles given away in 2026 include Bloons TD 6, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Isonzo, Clone Drone in the Danger Zone, Sunderfolk, Botany Manor, and Cozy Grove, among many others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why Do Free Epic Games Accounts Build Real Value?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If you have been claiming every weekly freebie since Epic started this programme in 2018, your account library could include hundreds of games worth thousands of dollars at retail. Each new giveaway adds to that running total. Accounts with large, diverse libraries naturally become more valuable over time. For players interested in buying or selling Epic Games accounts, GamerMarkt’s Epic Games account marketplace<\/a> offers a secure trading environment with verified sellers, escrow-protected payments, and detailed listing filters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Things Players Usually Want to Know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Are free games truly permanent?<\/strong>
    Yes. Once you claim a free game during the promotional window, it stays in your library forever. The giveaway window only limits when you can add it, not how long you can keep or play it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Do I need to enter payment details to claim free games?<\/strong>
    No. You can claim free games with just an Epic Games account. No credit card or payment method is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Can I claim Epic free games on console?<\/strong>
    No. Epic Games Store free games are for PC (Windows and macOS). Some titles may separately be available on consoles, but the Epic giveaway itself applies only to the PC storefront and the mobile app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How do I find out what is free next week?<\/strong>
    Every Thursday, when the current giveaway goes live, Epic simultaneously reveals the following week’s free titles on the store page. You can also check sites like Beebom, Game Rant, or GamerMarkt for weekly roundups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What happens if I miss the deadline?<\/strong>
    Once the promotional window closes, the game reverts to its standard price. There is no way to retroactively claim a missed freebie. Setting a Thursday reminder is the simplest way to avoid missing out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What to Expect for the Rest of July<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Epic has not yet confirmed what comes after Nova Lands and Tattoo Tycoon on July 16, but based on the current pattern, two more free titles should be announced when the July 9 giveaway goes live. The storefront has consistently maintained its two-game-per-week cadence since late April 2026, and there is no sign of that changing. Keep checking the Epic Games Store every Thursday for updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For now, make sure you grab I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream and River City Girls 2 before July 9. Then mark your calendar for Tattoo Tycoon and Nova Lands starting on July 9. That is nearly $100 in free games across just two weeks of July 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Epic Games Store continues its weekly two-game giveaway in July 2026. This week features River City Girls 2 and I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream. Next week brings Tattoo Tycoon and Nova Lands.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":6892,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[297],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6891","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-epic-games"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6891","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6891"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6891\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6893,"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6891\/revisions\/6893"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6892"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6891"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6891"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6891"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}