The gaming industry is gradually awakening from the hibernation of the new year. While the first really big releases of 2026 won't arrive until February, that doesn't mean there won't be anything to play come mid-January. We've rounded up a selection of the traditional free games for the weekend.
Styx: Master of Darkness And Styx: Shards of darkness
Styx: Blades of Greed will be released in mid-February and it looks like the developers are starting to promote a promotional campaign. Because both previous Goblin Styx games: Master of Shadows and Shards of Darkness are available for free on the Epic Games Store. Although the series did not receive widespread critical acclaim, it is considered a favorite among fans of the half-forgotten stealth action genre. The game can be added to your account until January 22.
© EGG
Machines
A rather important release took place on Steam. Almost a quarter of a century after the start of development, MaSzyna appeared on the digital store: a railway simulator created by Polish enthusiasts. The project is famous for its rigorous approach to realism, beautiful sounds, and small but close-knit community. But we warn you: all trains in the game are from Poland, and the instructions for using them are written in Polish.
© Steam
Dragon Quest VII reimagined
Square Enix has published a demo of Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, a comprehensive remake of the seventh installment of the legendary JRPG series. The simple son of a fisherman will go on an exciting journey through the island nation, which will reveal many secrets. The publisher specifically notes that you don't need to know the plot of the previous installments to play the game — any classic JRPG fan can enjoy it.
© Steam
Homecoming Haven Project
Ultimately, Project Homecoming Haven is a small but touching game from the creators of the Coffee Talk series. In it, the player will play the role of a cleaner who is cleaning the houses of dead people. Project Homecoming Haven will let you explore their stories through their belongings, curate other people's memories, and help their loved ones overcome loss.
© Steam
