Highlights
- The Epic Games Store offers weekly free games to expand gamer libraries and give developers exposure.
- Astro Duel 2, a party-action shoot 'em up, is the latest free launch game available on Epic Games Store, and it uses a popular Game Pass and PlayStation Plus strategy.
- Astro Duel 2 is a brand-new game that is releasing on other platforms the same day as its Epic Games Store debut, meaning that March 7's free game is a big deal.
The Epic Games Store has been providing plenty of PC gamers with new experiences, if not an excuse to keep extending their libraries of games and backlogs. For anyone with an account on the storefront, every week they have one or two full-length freebies they can pick up. This promotion has served the Epic Games Store well for over half a decade, as it not only keeps the store relevant in gaming communities, but helps developers get their games played by a bit of a wider audience.
It's hard to predict what games will be offered by Epic Games each week, as the promotion has a penchant for switching things up between genres and length, and often showcases lesser known indie titles between the bigger free games. Some Epic Games Store free games have enough in common to go well together, while others couldn't be more different from one another, and March 7 marks yet another change. It isn't one that many fans should be complaining about, though, as Astro Duel 2 is releasing free of charge for Epic Games Store users.
Epic Games Store Reveals Free Day One Game for March 7
The Epic Games Store gives away a new free game while simultaneously confirming the free game coming on March 7.
Epic Games Store Free Game Astro Duel 2 Explained
Astro Duel 2 Is Free on the Epic Games Store On Launch Day
In an unexpected twist, the free game for March 7 is a brand-new game being offered for free for an entire week only on the Epic Games Store. The title in question is party-action shoot 'em up game called Astro Duel 2. The game is developed by Wild Rooster, the original publishers of the first Astro Duel, which lacked platforming-based fighting once a ship is taken out in battle, a feature that makes the sequel stand out. Astro Duel 2 keeps plenty of features from its predecessor, such as multiplayer. It has additional modes to keep players interested as well, including co-op bounties with up to 3 players and a mini-game called "Cash Grab" where players can team up or fight for in-game currency for upgrades.
Astro Duel 2 is likely being offered for free due to an agreement with Epic Games, which means the developers are being paid for the deal, but there are ways to support the game after picking it up for free. Players who enjoy it can gift the game on Steam to their friends, for example.
While piloting a Nano Fighter, players will have to fight against other ships like in other classic games such as Sinstar. Players can either enter a "gravity zone" to "absorb" their ship to explore and take down foes, or use them to try and make a comeback after their ship has been destroyed in what looks like a miniaturized Mega Man level. Compared to the first game, the number of players who can enjoy the adventure together goes from four to six, which makes it a great unexpected party game for those who want a new experience to play with friends.
Astro Duel 2 is Worth Trying on the Epic Games Store At No Extra Cost
In terms of free games, it seems that the Epic Games Store is trying its best to take advantage what PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass are known for. There's a big difference between Microsoft and Sony's subscription services and Epic Games' digital storefront, but the subscriptions are known for coming with the important perk of free launch day games regularly. Epic Games' offering, however, is almost as free as it gets, as anyone with an account can grab Astro Duel 2 for free. Those who want to take advantage of this deal can get the ship-shooting platformer between March 7 and March 14, rotating in at 10 AM CT.
