Epic Games Christmas Countdown 2025: The Ultimate Guide to All Free Games (including Calendar Download)

December is here! This means not only mulled wine and the scent of cookies, but for us gamers, above all else: The Epic Games Store is opening its gift bag once again.

Every year, we eagerly await the famous “Mystery Games.” While the rest of the world is pulling chocolate from their Advent calendars, Epic Games gifts us with full versions – and this year, the leaks and announcements are something else. We’re not talking about small fillers here, but real AAA blockbusters and indie gems that you can secure permanently and for free.

So you don’t miss any highlights amidst the Christmas stress of family visits and gift wrapping, I’ve put together this ultimate guide for you – including a handy calendar file for your smartphone.

Never miss a game again: Your ICS calendar

Let’s be honest: Remembering to open the Epic Launcher every day at 5:00 PM is nearly impossible amidst the holiday chaos. And there’s nothing more frustrating than realizing on December 26th that you’ve missed the blockbuster game from the day before.

That’s why I created a calendar file for the Gadget Tester Community.

• What does the file do? It automatically adds all appointments to your digital calendar (Google, Apple, Outlook).
• The advantage: You will receive a push notification as soon as the game is available for free.
• Effort: Import once, sit back.

The “System Check”: What You Need for These Games

Before we get to the list, a brief technical note for all the hardware fans among you. This year’s list is a wild mix of graphical heavyweights and retro pixel art.

1. For high-end PCs: Titles like Red Dead Redemption 2, Hogwarts Legacy, and Detroit: Become Human will challenge your graphics cards. Check before downloading if you have enough storage space (RDR2 alone takes up over 100 GB!) and up-to-date drivers.
2. Perfect for the Steam Deck / Handhelds: Games like Loop Hero, Terraria, or Desperados III are absolute dream candidates for gaming on the couch with a handheld PC. They consume little battery and offer perfect “pick-up-and-play” gameplay.

The Epic Games List: All Games in Detail

Here is the schedule for your free Pile of Shame (or Pile of Fame!). Please note: Most titles are only free for 24 hours (from 5:00 PM to 5:00 PM each day).

The Magical Start (Weekly Deal)

December 11 – Hogwarts Legacy Epic doesn’t start quietly, but with a bang. The open-world RPG set in the Harry Potter universe has been the hit of recent years. You create your own character, choose your house, and explore an incredibly detailed Hogwarts castle.

• Gadget Factor: The particle effects of the spells look fantastic on OLED monitors.

The Setup Phase

December 18 – Jurassic World Evolution 2 Forget SimCity. Here you build enclosures for T-Rex and Velociraptors. The second installment offers significantly more management depth and even more realistic dinosaurs.

• Tip: When the alarm goes off, switch to Ego mode and drive the Jeep through the chaos yourself.

December 19 – Desperados III A masterpiece from Germany (Mimimi Games). Real-time tactics in the Wild West. It’s like chess, only with revolvers and bear traps. Saving and loading are part of the gameplay mechanics here – perfect for tinkers.

December 20 – Total War: Warhammer Strategy fans get the full experience here. Turn-based empire management meets real-time battles with thousands of units.

• Warning: This game is an absolute time sink. “Just one more round” quickly turns into “Oh, the sun is rising.”

December 21 – Tropico 5 El Presidente is back! Build your island nation, manipulate elections, and decide whether you are a benevolent ruler or a tyrant. The humor of the Tropico series is timeless.

The Week of Insider Tips

December 22 – Chicken Police: Paint it Red! Don’t let the name fool you. This is one of the most stylish noir adventures of recent years. The characters are animals (with real photo heads on human bodies), the atmosphere is dark, and the jazz is smooth. A true experience.

December 23 – Loop Hero The perfect “podcast game.” You don’t control the hero, but build the world around him as he runs in circles and beats up monsters. Sounds simple, but it’s addictive like few other games. Retro graphics at their finest.

December 24 – LEGO Batman The highlight for Christmas Eve. While you wait for the gift-giving, you can save Gotham here in co-op mode (perfect for parents with children). The LEGO humor still shines, and the gameplay is completely stress-free.

Nostalgia & Relaxation “between the years”

December 25 – Commander Keen A true blast from the past. Anyone who was on a PC in the 90s knows the boy with the pogo stick. A nice platformer for a quick dose of nostalgia.

December 26 – Farming Simulator 2022 Don’t want any rush after the Christmas dinner? Then hop on the tractor. The “Farming Simulator” is a phenomenon for a reason. Harvest wheat, buy massive machines, and completely relax.

• Gadget Tip: If you have a steering wheel for racing games – give it a try here!

December 27 – Slime Rancher 2 Colorful, cheerful, and completely non-violent. You suck up adorable slime creatures, breed them, and explore a beautiful alien world. A balm for the soul.

December 28 – Terraria Often referred to as “Minecraft in 2D,” but it’s so much more. A sandbox game with incredible depth, hundreds of weapons, boss enemies, and crafting options. Runs on any toaster and offers hundreds of hours of gameplay fun.

The Grand Finale: Blockbuster Time

December 29 – Detroit: Become Human An interactive film about androids developing consciousness. Every decision you make drastically changes the story. Graphically, the game is still top-notch in 2025.

December 30 – Mortal Kombat 11 After so much harmony, it’s time for some action. The bloodiest beat ’em up on the market. The “Fatalities” are not for the faint of heart, but the gameplay mechanics are extremely precise.

December 31 – Red Dead Redemption 2 The grand finale. At the end of the year, Epic gifts us one of the best games of all time. The story of Arthur Morgan is epic, emotional, and unfolds in perhaps the most vibrant open world ever created.

• My advice: Don’t plan anything else. This game will keep you occupied for weeks.

Conclusion & Christmas Greetings from Gadgettester

Epic Games is really treating us well this year. When you add up the total value of these games, we easily land in the range of several hundred euros.

My tip: Even if you don’t want to play a game right now – click on “Get”. It will stay in your library forever. Who knows, maybe you’ll feel like playing with dinosaurs or tractors this summer?

That’s it from me for this year! I wish you all: Merry Christmas, stable framerates, and relaxing holidays!

Thank you for reading and supporting Gadgettester.de so faithfully this year. We’ll see you again in the new year – with fresh hardware, new tests, and hopefully well-rested.

Your Gadget Tester