Epic Games Store free games This Week (Feb 19-26, 2026): Return to Ash, STALCRAFT: X Starter Edition, Residual
Epic Games Store free games are live again, and this week’s lineup hits three very different moods: a short, emotional visual novel on PC, a chunky Starter Edition for a free-to-play MMOFPS, and a no-combat sci-fi survival platformer on mobile. Claim them once and they stay in your library, as long as you grab them before the weekly reset.
If you like keeping a “rainy day backlog” stocked for the price of zero, this is one of those weeks where Epic’s bundle-style approach makes sense: one complete standalone experience, one value-packed boost for a live game, and one bite-sized exploration survival adventure you can play on the go.
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Availability window (don’t miss the cutoff)
- PC (Epic Games Store):
- Return to Ash – Free until February 26, 2026 (store lists the end time; it aligns with the usual Thursday turnover).
- STALCRAFT: X Starter Edition – Free until February 26, 2026, and the page also notes the pack can be claimed until Feb 26, 2026, 04:00 PM UTC.
- Mobile (Epic Games Store mobile app):
- Residual – Free Feb 19 – Feb 26, 2026 on Android worldwide, and on iOS in the European Union.
Free PC game #1: Return to Ash
What it is: A narrative-driven visual novel built around emotional storytelling and relationship choices, with multiple endings and a compact runtime (2-4 hours is the dev’s own pitch).
Why it’s worth a claim:
Return to Ash is the kind of freebie that’s perfect when you want something “complete” – a start, middle, and end – without committing to a 60-hour RPG. The hook is instantly intriguing: waking up in a sterile, blank afterlife and trying to understand the rules of the place, the people trapped there, and what “getting out” even means.
Who it’s for:
If you enjoy choice-driven narratives, character bonding, and shorter story-focused experiences, this is the clear winner of the week’s PC picks.
Free PC “bonus” #2: STALCRAFT: X Starter Edition
What it is: A Starter Pack for STALCRAFT: X, a free-to-play MMOFPS with RPG elements. In other words: the base game is already free, but this edition is a limited-time bundle that gives you a meaningful head start.
What you actually get:
Epic’s listing spells it out: 7 days of Premium, weapons, armor, artifacts, cosmetics, and consumables to fuel your early raids. There’s also a clear note that it can be claimed once per account, and it’s only for the Epic Games Store version.
Why it’s worth a claim even if you’re unsure:
If you think you might try STALCRAFT: X at any point, grabbing the Starter Edition now is basically a “future you” favor. It costs nothing, and you avoid starting completely naked later.
Free mobile game: Residual (Android + iOS in EU)
What it is: Residual is a non-violent survival platformer from Orangepixel: procedural planets, exploration, crafting tools, light puzzles, and survival pressure from the environment rather than combat.
Platform availability caveat:
Epic’s own post is clear – Android worldwide, iOS only in the European Union via the Epic Games Store mobile app.
Why it’s a nice pickup:
Residual feels designed for quick sessions: land on a strange world, scavenge, craft, push a little further, uncover a bit more lore, log off. If you want a sci-fi exploration loop that doesn’t ask you to shoot everything that moves, it’s a solid fit.
How to claim everything in 2 minutes
- Log into your Epic account.
- Go to the free games section and hit Get on Return to Ash.
- Hit Get on STALCRAFT: X Starter Edition (remember: it’s a pack for a free-to-play game).
- On mobile, install/open the Epic Games Store mobile app, then claim Residual (Android worldwide, iOS in EU).
What’s coming next (early heads-up)
Once these expire, Epic’s next PC freebies (starting February 26) are expected to be My Night Job and Boxes: Lost Fragments.
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