Speed. That’s the core theme of the next four games free on theEpic Games Storeover the coming fortnight. Not only are the current two free titles totally chaotic, high-octane independent titles, but next week’s free offerings also revolve around going as fast as possible. These breakneck-pace free games come on the cusp of Epic’s Mega Sale mystery games. The last two mystery games wereGenshin ImpactandControl, each having notably slower gameplay and stories than the newer free titles. WithOvercooked 2andHell is Other Demonsfree this week, it also seems like Epic is continuing this heightened volume of free games it releases each time.
Epic Games will also release two more games next week.Sonic ManiaandHorizon Chase Turbocertainly carry on the high speed of this week’s roster of titles. It is interesting, however, to see the variety in genre across these four games. FromHell is Other Demons' bullet hell platforming, toOvercooked 2’schaotic co-op escapes, to the high speed racing ofHorizon Chase TurboandSonicMania’sbreakneck 8-bit platforming, theEpic Games Storeis maintaining its commitment to thematically similar but massively distinct free games. Speed is the overarching focus of the last set of free games for June, and it’ll be interesting to see what Epic has in store for July.
Overcooked 2 Is Free on The Epic Games Store This Week
As any discerningHell’s Kitchenfan will know, cookery is not exactly a calm, tranquil profession. This harsh reality is made a bit more fun in the cooperative cacophony ofOvercooked 2, which debuted free on the Epic Store. The original title,Overcooked, was free twice already, so seeing this game follow suit is no surprise. This game carries a lot of the kitchen chicanery of its predecessor, but also brings new levels, mechanics, and a punny new antagonist in the “Unbread.” These hoards of crumby corpses threaten the entire world, with only the player’s group of canny cartoonish cooks standing in the way.
Overcooked 2’s cooperative kitchen antics span over many diverse levels. These include river rafts and crashing air balloons, each level a race against the clock to accrue as many points as possible. Players can compete for points or work together, but either method will result in multiplayer madness. The main consistency binding all of these diverse locations together is the frenetic gameplay. Players can choose how they enjoy this game, either playing online or having someclassic couch co-op.
Hell Is Other Demons Is Also Free This Week
This title is from a slightly smaller independent developer with Kongregate as its publisher. Some of Kongregate’s games have made their way into Epic’s “Discover: Free Games” section before, most recently withBreath of the Wild-likeopen-world adventurePine.Developers Cuddle Monster Games created an incredible fusion of high-octane bullet hell and speedy platforming in this title. There is a blend of many different combat mechanics, including a huge array of weaponry and even some stomping mechanics. The verticality, art style, and head-stomping are all very reminiscent ofDownwell, another modern indie platforming classic.
While the game is not as collaborative asOvercooked,it still has a real sense of fun and wit to its gameplay. In a similar fashion to many recent indie offerings,Hell is Other Demonshas roguelite elements. However, this title does not rely on procedural generation, instead using hand-crafted levels that span all across the various circles of hell. The really distinctive use of color here is what stands out most of all, and makes the gameplay’s velocity and direction all the more dynamic.
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Horizon Chase Turbo Is Free Next Week on The Epic Games Store
Hell is Other Demonsplays on the arcade stylings of bullet hell shooters from days past. Likewise,Horizon Chase Turbotakes the fast-paced racing game of yore and updates them with sleek, modern voxel-style graphics and a wealth of gameplay modes to sate even the most seasoned virtual racer. Not only does this game include tournament and endurance modes alongside regular racing, but there is also an optional online ghost mode to challenge friends with, wherever they may be racing. The game also bears some similarity toOvercooked 2. Horizon Chase Turboalso has a couch co-op mode supporting up to 4 players.
Developer AQUIRIS lists 80s/90s classic racers likeOut Run, Top Gear (SNES),andRushamong its extensive array of inspirations. While it boasts some significant improvements over these predecessors, including over 109 different tracks and sharp visuals, it still maintains thespirit of fast paced, arcade actionthat made those games classics. Not content with emulating gameplay and aesthetics,Horizon Chase Turboalso invokes the iconic sounds of older racing games.Horizon’s soundtrack comes from legendary composer Barry Leitch. Leitch worked on many of the game’s influences, with the soundtracks of bothRushandTop Gearon his resume.
Sonic Mania is Nostalgia, Served Fast
Speaking of nostalgia,Sonic Maniapacks it by the bucket. Lab42’s reincarnation of SEGA’s classic franchise satisfied manty fans who felt abandoned by some of the modernSonicgames. Many felt that the move to 3D was a huge misstep, with titles likeSonic: Unleashedattracting rather a lot of criticism at launch.Sonic Maniais a return to the iconic retro platforming of the brand’s past.
Regardless of this commitment to the classics,Sonic Maniastill boasts a deep concern with modern quality of life improvements. The game’s clean, high-fidelity pixel graphics run at a solid 60 FPS, perfect for the discerning modern gamer. It is a perfect addition to Epic’s fortnight of fast free games. Like several games on this list,Sonic Maniawill debut free on the store, perhaps speaking to other modern classics likely to come to Epic’s storefront.
Hell is Other DemonsandOvercooked 2are free on the Epic Games Store until June 24th.Horizon Chase TurboandSonic Maniawill be free until July 1st.
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