Post-Christmas Epic Games Store giveaway pattern hints at strong December 26 free game

The Christmas free game on Epic Games Store turned out to be a well-rated and acclaimed indie title. It's Disco Elysium - The Final Cut, and while it's not what many were expecting, most of the users are happy to get it as a freebie, with some claiming it to be a "masterpiece" that "everyone should play."

Right after the storefront revealed the Christmas free game for the 2025 holiday season, predictions about the post-Christmas PC freebie have started to flow. Before getting into these guesses, here are the titles that Epic Games Store gave away on December 26 in the past few years:

• 2024 - Ghostrunner 2
• 2023 - Human Resource Machine
• 2022 - Fist Forged in Shadow Torch
• 2021 - Control
• 2020 - My Time at Portia

It goes without saying that there's no obvious pattern on the list above, as there's no genre continuity, but there's a quality floor. Each of the past post-Christmas free games is either critically acclaimed or has a hardcore fanbase with a relatively strong identity.

That suggests that the upcoming free game could be a well-reviewed and recognizable title. Getting back to the fan predictions, some believe that the next PC giveaway will be Tales of the Shire, a relatively well-received life-sim with cozy vibes.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a strong contender as well, because even as an indie game, the title holds quite a player base. The same goes for Astroneer (curr. $8.99 on Humble Bundle), which, interestingly, isn't listed on the Epic Games Store yet, and that signals that it's a more likely candidate for the upcoming giveaway.

Regardless of what the 10th mystery free game turns out to be, per past pattern, Epic Games Store is unlikely to disappoint. The good part is that there isn't much waiting to do, as the reveal is set for December 26, 2025, at UTC 16:00, which is just hours away.