Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

I missed that Styx: Shards of Darkness – Deluxe Edition was part of the free games in the last update, but Epic has indeed provided both entries of the goblin-assassin saga for free this week. Yesterday’s rotation officially retired the tower defense hit Bloons TD 6, shifting the store from colorful monkey strategy to gritty, dark-fantasy infiltration.

The Styx Double-Feature: Two Masterclasses in Stealth

Until January 22 at 11:00 AM ET, you can claim both Styx: Master of Shadows and Styx: Shards of Darkness – Deluxe Edition for zero dollars. These aren’t modern “action-stealth” games where you can easily fight your way out of a blunder; they are pure infiltration titles where being spotted usually leads to a quick death. The Deluxe Edition of the sequel is particularly resourceful as it includes the Akenash Outfit and the Dagger of Akenash, giving your clones and assassination attempts a technical edge from the start. While these typically retail for $19.99 each on the Steam Store, you can currently find keys for the first entry on G2A for roughly **$2.60** if you miss the Epic window.

Narrative Ambition: ‘Detroit: Become Human’ at 80% Down

For those looking for a cinematic heavy-hitter, Detroit: Become Human is currently sitting at an 80% discount on Epic, bringing the price down to $7.99. The game follows three androids as they navigate a futuristic dystopia where their choices determine the fate of both their kind and their human creators. It is one of the most polished interactive dramas ever made, featuring branching storylines that actually respect your decisions. If you are looking to shave a bit more off that price, the G2A Marketplace (affiliate link) is offering Global Steam keys starting at **$9.53**, ensuring you can secure this AAA title for under ten dollars regardless of which store you prefer.

Tactical Carnage: ‘Hell Let Loose Deluxe’ at Record Lows

The massive World War II tactical shooter Hell Let Loose has its Deluxe Edition on sale for 67% off right now. This is a noteworthy deal considering the base game was a featured Epic freebie back in January 2025. The Deluxe version provides the essential 50v50 combined-arms experience, along with several cosmetic packs, such as False Front and Lethal Tide. It is a game that prioritizes communication and squad-based tactics over individual kill counts, making it a perfect pick for players who want a more realistic combat loop. Between the free Styx bundle and these deep discounts, this week provides some of the highest value-per-hour gameplay we’ve seen in the new year.

The post Double Styx Giveaway and Tactical War Deals: This Week on Epic appeared first on Game Reviews, News, Videos & More for Every Gamer – PC, PlayStation, Xbox in 2026.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

The high-fantasy strategy of Total War: THREE KINGDOMS and the sci-fi extraction of Wildgate have officially rotated out as of today, January 8. In their place, Epic has launched today Bloons TD 6 as the free title available to claim until January 15 at 11:00 AM ET. Following this window, the store will shift into a stealth-focused week by giving away Styx: Master of Shadows from January 15 through January 22. While the giveaway is the most resourceful way to build your library, those who prefer other platforms can find Bloons TD 6 on the Steam Store for $13.99. For a significantly cheaper alternative, G2A (affiliate link) currently lists global keys for roughly $2.45, which is a 76% discount compared to official retail.

Tactical Depth Beneath a Colorful Exterior

Bloons TD 6 is far more complex than its bright art style suggests. It is a massive tower defense title featuring 24 distinct “Monkey Towers,” each with three separate upgrade paths and unique 5th-tier abilities. The game also introduces powerful “Heroes” that level up automatically during a match, providing specialized buffs or massive screen-clearing attacks. Since its release, the developer has added a steady stream of content including weekly Boss Events, four-player co-op, and “Paragon” towers that fuse multiple tier-5 upgrades into a single ultimate unit. It is a resourceful pickup for anyone looking for a strategy loop that supports both quick ten-minute sessions and long-term completionist goals across nearly 90 different maps.

Upcoming Shadow Work in the Tower of Akenash

Starting next Thursday, January 15, the mood shifts significantly with the arrival of Styx: Master of Shadows. This is a dedicated stealth-RPG where you play as a two-century-old goblin navigating a massive, vertically-designed fortress. Unlike many modern “stealth” games that allow you to fight your way out of a mistake, Styx disincentivizes direct combat, forcing you to rely on cloning yourself for diversions, using invisibility, and manipulating the environment to stay alive. If you want to jump in early or grab it on Valve’s platform, Styx: Master of Shadows is priced at $19.99 on Steam. However, you can find keys on G2A (affiliate link) for approximately $2.60, representing a 92% discount for those who miss the upcoming free period.

Managing Your January Claims

You have exactly seven days to claim Bloons TD 6 before it is replaced by the Styx giveaway. Both of these titles represent a solid start to the year for gamers who value mechanical variety over raw graphical power. While Bloons provides a social, co-op experience for up to four people, Styx offers a challenging, single-player dive into traditional stealth mechanics. Make sure to hit the “Get” button on Epic before the refresh next Thursday to ensure these remain in your library permanently, or use the Steam and G2A links to secure them for your preferred secondary launcher at record-low prices.

The post Strategy and Stealth: Epic Rotates to ‘Bloons TD 6’ and Teases ‘Styx’ appeared first on Game Reviews, News, Videos & More for Every Gamer – PC, PlayStation, Xbox in 2026.