This Is the Epic Games Store Free Game for January 16

Summary

• Escape Academy is the free Epic Games Store game available from January 16, 2025.
• This escape-the-room-style puzzler marks the fourth free game offered by EGS in 2025.
• With an OpenCritic score, Escape Academy is poised to be the highest-rated game given away by EGS in 2025 so far.

The Epic Games Store's free game for January 16, 2025, is Escape Academy. As with all EGS freebies, players have a week to claim it, from January 16 to January 23.

Developed by Los Angeles-based Coin Crew Games, Escape Academy is an engaging escape-the-room puzzle game that first hit PC and consoles in July 2022. In the game, players assume the role of students at the titular academy, training to become "escape room masters."

Escape Academy is set to be the next free game on EGS, available for PC gamers to claim starting Thursday, January 16, immediately after the giveaway period for Turmoil ends. Players can add Escape Academy to their library for free until January 23.

Escape Academy Was Already Free on EGS Once Before

Previously, Escape Academy was offered as a free mystery game on the Epic Games Store on January 1, 2024. However, the upcoming giveaway will be the first time this 2022 title is available for a full week. The timing is especially beneficial for Xbox Game Pass members, as Escape Academy will depart from Microsoft's subscription service on January 15, after an 18-month run.

Epic Games Store Free Games in January 2025

• Kingdom Come: Deliverance (January 1)
• Hell Let Loose (January 2 – 9)
• Turmoil (January 9 – 16)
• Escape Academy (January 16 – 23)

Escape Academy boasts a "Strong" rating on OpenCritic, with an average score of 80 and an 88% recommendation rate from reviewers. This positions it as the highest-rated game given away by the Epic Games Store in 2025 so far. The game's acclaim is echoed by its player reviews, with "Very Positive" feedback on Steam and ratings of 4.42 and 4.2 stars on the PlayStation and Xbox Stores, respectively. Beyond solo play, Escape Academy offers robust online and split-screen multiplayer options, making it one of the best co-op puzzle games released recently.

Escape Academy will be the fourth free game on the Epic Games Store in 2025, following Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Hell Let Loose, and Turmoil. The fifth free game of the year will be announced on January 16, coinciding with Escape Academy becoming available. Fans of the base game can further their experience with two DLC packs: Escape From Anti-Escape Island and Escape From the Past, both priced at $9.99 each. These can also be bought together as the Season Pass for $14.99.