PC free game drop includes two 9/10 rated titles and saves you $35

The Epic Games Store has updated its weekly free game line-up, and it’s a very strong offering this time around.

PC users can secure themselves two free games this week, both of which boast ratings of over 90% and will save you around $35 in total.

As always, any free games from the Epic Games Store are yours to keep once claimed.

There are no strings attached here beyond only PC copies being available; you have from now until 4pm BST on Thursday September 17 to claim them, so let’s dive in.

Astral Ascent is a 2023 action roguelike with retro-inspired visuals

The headliner of this line-up is Hibernian Workshop’s 2023 launch Astral Ascent which would ordinarily set you back around $24.99.

In the title, you’ll play as one of four heroes, exploring a region known as the Garden, “an astral prison guarded by 12 powerful mystical bosses: the Zodiacs”.

It’s a 2D sidescrolling title that, as mentioned, features gorgeous pixel-art visuals. As a sidescroller, it means that there’s plenty of platforming involved too.

With each character, you’ll have the chance to unlock dozens of spells, putting together a build that suits your play style.

You’ll get stronger with each run so what may feel punishing and challenging at first is likely something you’ll breeze through after a few hours of perseverance.

Hibernian Workshop, MP2 Games

You’ll need to defeat all 12 bosses within Astral Ascent eventually, and chasing after a boss will reveal more about their backstory.

Developers say that the narrative is a key part of this experience and it continues to unfold with each replay.

There’s even a two-player co-op mode if you want to crush enemies alongside a friend.

Astral Ascent takes around 15 hours to clear the main story, but you could be looking at four times that for a completionist’s run.

With an impressive user score of 95% on Steam, it’s clearly a game that players love.

READ MORE: Major October PC game drops free playable slice on Steam, perfect alternative to Resident Evil

Luftrausers is a 91% rated bullet hell blast from the past

Is it blasphemy to call 2014 a blast from the past? That’s precisely when developer Vlambeer’s bullet hell arcade shooter first arrived.

This one normally would set you back $9.99 these days, so it’s still a respectable saving if you nab Luftrausers for free.

“Select from over 125 combinations of weapons, bodies, and propulsion systems and take to the skies to battle enemy fighter planes, battleships, submarines, and rival aces for glory, honor, and high scores,” reads the game’s synopsis.

“Bravely volunteer for one of over 100 daring missions to unlock new Rauser combinations and vibrant colour variations and become the most legendary Rauser pilot of all time!”

Devolver Digital

Players will engage in aerial combat with Luftrausers also opting for stylised retro-inspired visuals.

It’s a much shorter offering at four hours for its main story or 14 hours for completionists, but it delivers on all fronts with a current score of 91% on Steam.

“This arcade game is hard but it is so extremely satisfying as you learn to fly head first into your enemies like they're nothing and manage to survive when the sky is more bullet than air. You can truly feel like a flying ace,” one player wrote.

You have, again, until Thursday September 17 to grab these games so don’t delay.