Epic: Highly rated strategy game available for free

Turmoil is a strategic business game where players step into the shoes of an ambitious oil entrepreneur. The goal is to develop lucrative oil fields, outmaneuver competitors and build a vast oil empire. Starting with basic drilling operations using rigs and horse-drawn carts, players extract the "black gold" from the earth. Over time, the company grows more advanced and efficient, reflecting the player's strategic decisions.

In Turmoil, players can invest in new technologies, build pipelines and strategically capitalize on fluctuating oil prices to maximize profits. When not managing their oil empire directly, they can participate in lively auctions to bid on new land and valuable upgrades. Beyond its engaging economic gameplay, Turmoil stands out with its charming comic-like art style and a cast of humorous characters, adding personality to the experience.

The Game, developed and published by Gamious, was released on June 2, 2016, initially for PC and later for the Nintendo Switch (available on Amazon for around $299). On Steam, where the game is typically priced at around 13 euros, it has garnered over 11,000 reviews with an impressive 92% positive rating. On Metacritic, the reception is slightly less favorable, with a Metascore of 73 and a User Score of 7.6. The main criticism is the repetitive gameplay, which some feel limits replay value. However, since Turmoil will be free on the Epic Games Store from January 9 to 16, this shouldn't deter strategy fans from giving it a try.