This Is the Epic Games Store Free Game for January 16

Escape Academy, a highly-rated escape-room style puzzle game, is the Epic Games Store's free game offering for January 16th, 2025. This marks the fourth free game offered by the EGS in 2025 and, based on its OpenCritic score of 80 (88% recommendation rate), is currently the highest-rated free game provided so far this year.

This free offering is available for one week, from January 16th to 23rd, replacing Turmoil. Developed by Coin Crew Games, Escape Academy challenges players to master escape room puzzles as students at the titular academy. Initially released in July 2022 for PC and consoles, this isn't the game's first appearance as a free EGS title; it was previously offered on January 1st, 2024, but this time it will be available for a full week. This timing is particularly beneficial for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, as the game is slated to leave the service on January 15th.

The positive critical reception (Strong rating on OpenCritic, Very Positive reviews on Steam, and high ratings on PlayStation and Xbox stores) is mirrored by its player base. Furthermore, Escape Academy offers both solo and engaging online/split-screen multiplayer modes, widely praised as one of the best co-op puzzle game experiences recently.

Epic Games Store Free Games (January 2025):

Kingdom Come: Deliverance (January 1st)
Hell Let Loose (January 2nd-9th)
Turmoil (January 9th-16th)
Escape Academy (January 16th-23rd)

Following Escape Academy, the EGS is expected to announce its fifth free game of 2025 on January 16th. Players who enjoy the core game can also purchase two DLC packs: Escape From Anti-Escape Island and Escape From the Past, individually priced at $9.99 or bundled together in a Season Pass for $14.99.