Epic Games Store's Free Game for Jan 16 Revealed

Summary

• Escape Academy is the free Epic Games Store game available starting January 16, 2025.
• This escape-the-room-style puzzler marks the fourth free game offered by EGS in 2025.
• With an OpenCritic score, Escape Academy is poised to be the highest-rated free game distributed by EGS in 2025 so far.

The Epic Games Store's free game for January 16, 2025, is Escape Academy. As with all EGS freebies, users will have a week to claim it, from January 16 to January 23.

Developed by Los Angeles-based Coin Crew Games, Escape Academy is an engaging escape-the-room-style puzzle game that was initially released for PC and consoles in July 2022. In the game, players take on the role of students at the titular academy, training to become "escape room masters."

Escape Academy is set to be the next free game on EGS. PC gamers can claim it starting Thursday, January 16, immediately after the giveaway of Turmoil concludes. The game will be available for free on the Epic Games Store until January 23.

Escape Academy Was Already Free on EGS Once Before

Previously, the Epic Games Store offered Escape Academy as its free mystery game on January 1, 2024. However, the upcoming giveaway will be the first time the 2022 title is available for a full week on the platform. This timing is especially beneficial for Xbox Game Pass members, as Escape Academy is set to exit Microsoft's subscription service on January 15, after an 18-month run.

Epic Games Store Free Games in January 2025

• Kingdom Come: Deliverance (January 1)
• Hell Let Loose (January 2 – 9)
• Turmoil (January 9 – 16)
• Escape Academy (January 16 – 23)

Escape Academy boasts a "Strong" rating on OpenCritic, with an average score of 80 and an 88% recommendation rate from reviewers. This makes it the highest-rated game given away by the Epic Games Store in 2025 to date. Its critical acclaim is echoed by player feedback, with "Very Positive" reviews on Steam and ratings of 4.42 and 4.2 stars on the PlayStation and Xbox Stores, respectively. The game supports solo play as well as online and split-screen multiplayer, with the latter being highly praised, making Escape Academy one of the best co-op puzzle games in recent years.

Escape Academy will be the fourth free game offered by the Epic Games Store in 2025, following Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Hell Let Loose, and Turmoil. The fifth free game of the year is expected to be announced on January 16, coinciding with the start of Escape Academy's availability. For those who enjoy the base game, two DLC packs, Escape From Anti-Escape Island and Escape From the Past, are available for $9.99 each. Alternatively, these can be purchased together as part of the Escape Academy Season Pass for $14.99.