I still get a little nostalgic when I think about Epic Games Store freebie weeks from spring 2024. In 2026, the weekly Thursday ritual is still alive and kicking — every Thursday at 10 am CT, EGS swaps out its free games and confirms the next batch — but that particular stretch was a real mixed bag in the best way. It had a charming indie, a big sci-fi RPG, and a moody stealth game all stacked back-to-back. Looking back now, it feels like a perfect snapshot of what makes the EGS free-game carousel so fun: you never quite know what flavor you are going to get.
The timing was simple enough. Call of the Wild: The Angler and Invincible Presents: Atom Eve rotated out, and Islets became the game you could claim until April 4. Then Islets rotated out, and Epic added The Outer Worlds and Thief for April 4 through April 11. Two big pick-ups, one week, no-brainer claims for anyone with a pulse. I remember thinking that if you were even remotely curious about RPGs or stealth games, you had zero excuse not to hit that claim button.
| Game | Free window | My quick take |
|---|---|---|
| Islets | March 28 - April 4 | A smaller indie palate cleanser before the big hitters |
| The Outer Worlds | April 4 - April 11 | Obsidian's sci-fi RPG, and the Spacer's Choice Edition is the version to grab |
| Thief | April 4 - April 11 | First-person stealth with a dark, sound-driven vibe |
What made this week extra interesting was the leak factor. Before the official reveal, known leaker Billbil-kun had already pegged The Outer Worlds for March 27 and Thief shortly before the confirmation. Now, I always take rumors and leaks with a grain of salt — that is just good internet hygiene — but Billbil-kun has a track record with PS Plus, EGS, Xbox Game Pass, and more. So when the official lineup landed, it was less of a shock and more of a satisfied nod. The leak was spot on, and suddenly everyone had a week to plan their backlog.
The Outer Worlds was the headline for me. It is a sci-fi RPG with solid Fallout storytelling vibes, and it gives you a crew of unique and interesting companions who actually add flavor to the journey. The edition Epic gave away was the Spacer's Choice Edition, which is the version I would recommend without hesitation. It includes the game's DLC, improved graphics, and a higher level cap. That is a lot of bang for your buck when the price is exactly zero. It also came from Obsidian Entertainment, a studio with serious RPG pedigree, and in 2026 that pedigree still carries weight. Obsidian has kept busy since then, and The Outer Worlds remains a great entry point if you like your space adventures with a side of corporate satire and companion banter.
Thief, meanwhile, is a different beast. It is a stealth game, but I would not lump it in with Assassin's Creed and call it a day. Its first-person perspective, immersive sim elements, and distinct use of sound and audio make it stand out from the stealth crowd. The dark fantasy setting, with its 19th-century London vibes, gives the whole thing a grimy, atmospheric edge. Thief launched to middling reviews, and I will not pretend otherwise, but over the years it has built up its own cult following. That is the thing about cult classics — they are not everyone's cup of tea at first, but the people who click with them really click.
So yes, a companion-based RPG and a first-person stealth game are not going to be for everyone, no matter how wide a net they cast. But that is the silver lining of the EGS freebie model: if one week misses you, the next week is only seven days away. In 2026, I still look back at this lineup as a nice reminder to check my backlog, claim the weird stuff, and give cult favorites a fair shake. And if you missed it back then? Well, that is what wishlists and deep discounts are for. 😉
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