System Shock 2 Remaster is free on Epic, but only for a limited time

Update on October 5th: Buried Stars does not appear to be available for everyone. Reports indicate that the game has vanished from the store in certain regions just recently, although it is unclear whether this is a temporary issue or a licensing problem. Epic has not provided an explanation at the time of writing, so availability may vary depending on your location. We'll update this article if more information becomes available.

The Epic Games Store has refreshed its weekly free game promotion, replacing last week's Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles and Mechabellum with two new titles. Starting today, PC players can permanently add System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster and Buried Stars to their libraries, provided they claim both games before the current promotion ends on October 8.

The bigger release of the pair is System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster, Nightdive Studios' updated take on the influential 1999 sci-fi survival horror game. The remaster brings refreshed visuals and various improvements designed to make the classic experience more comfortable on modern hardware, while also retaining its original blend of first-person shooting and role-playing. Cooperative multiplayer is included as well.

The story begins after the protagonist awakens from cryosleep aboard the Von Braun, only to discover that the spacecraft has been overrun by mutants and hostile machines. Survival requires more than simply shooting everything in sight, as players must explore the ship, gather weapons and resources, hack systems, develop their character's abilities, and uncover what happened. The result is a tense combination of FPS combat, RPG progression, and atmospheric horror.

Buried Stars takes a very different approach, delivering a visual novel-style mystery centered around a deadly incident at an audition competition. The story follows contestants trapped inside a collapsed venue, where their situation becomes even more dangerous when it becomes clear that a murderer is hiding among the survivors.

Players must question other characters, search for clues, and decide who can be trusted while attempting to piece together the events surrounding the disaster. The game also incorporates an in-game social media system, allowing players to investigate timelines and conversations for additional information. Buried Stars uses its mystery to explore themes surrounding idol culture, online communities, and the darker side of social media.

Both System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster and Buried Stars are free to claim from the Epic Games Store until October 8. Once redeemed, they remain in your Epic Games library, while another pair of giveaways is expected to replace them when the current promotion ends.

If you enjoy picking up free PC games, be sure to visit our free games page, and keep an eye on our upcoming releases and exclusive offers for the latest opportunities to grow your library