Grab two highly rated games for free on the Epic Games Store right now

The Epic Games Store has refreshed its latest weekly giveaway, replacing last week's Breathedge and Rival Stars Horse Racing with two more games for PC players to claim. This week's freebies are Astral Ascent and Luftrausers, and both can be permanently added to your Epic Games Store library at no cost.

The bigger of the two games is Astral Ascent, a 2D action roguelite from Hibernian Workshop built around fast-paced combat. You can choose from four playable characters and take on the 12 Zodiacs, powerful bosses that stand between you and freedom. Each run takes you through different environments while giving you plenty of opportunities to experiment with spells, abilities and character builds. You can also play through the adventure with another person using two-player local co-op.

Astral Ascent has developed a strong following on Steam, with around 94% of roughly 8,500 user reviews rated positively. Its responsive combat system is one of the aspects that players have particularly enjoyed, making it a solid pickup for anyone who likes challenging roguelites.

Then there's Luftrausers, a much more compact but equally frantic experience from Vlambeer. Originally released in 2014, Luftrausers is another well-reviewed title, sitting at roughly 91% positive reviews from around 4,500 Steam users. This bullet hell game puts you in control of an experimental aircraft and throws wave after wave of enemy planes, ships and other hazards your way.

The game features more than 100 missions, while its aircraft customization system lets you combine different weapons, bodies and engines. There are more than 125 possible aircraft configurations, allowing you to change everything from your firepower to the way your plane handles.

Both games are available to claim until September 17 on the Epic Games Store. Even if you don't have time to play them immediately, there's little reason not to add them to your library before the deadline. Once this week's promotion ends, Mindcop and Shogun Showdown will take over as the next pair of Epic Games Store freebies.

As always, for the latest news on free games or Epic Games Store giveaways, be sure to check out our free games page as well, and keep an eye out for upcoming releases and exclusive offers.