Epic Games Store has refreshed its PC free games lineup, and the next giveaway is shaping up to be a great week for anyone who loves mysteries. After the current early-February free titles rotate out, Epic will switch to a pair of detective games that have both earned multiple awards and strong player reviews.
The two upcoming free PC games will be available for a limited time, running from February 12 to February 19, 2026. If you enjoy point-and-click investigations, noir storytelling, or choice-driven casework, this is one weekly drop worth bookmarking.
First up: The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark
One of the next Epic Games Store free games is The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark, a pixel-art mystery adventure that leans into classic point-and-click design. It’s been recognized with multiple awards (including wins at the Aggie Awards 2021 and IMIRT 2021), and it’s also been warmly received by players, holding an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating based on more than 1,500 user reviews.
In terms of gameplay, it’s built around exploring carefully crafted pixel environments, interacting with objects, collecting items, and combining them to push each case forward. The puzzles are generally designed to be approachable instead of brutally difficult, making it a comfortable pick for players who want a satisfying investigation without constant frustration.
A big part of the charm is the tone. The dialogue is packed with dry humor and playful banter, helping the game stand out from more serious detective stories. That said, it isn’t perfect: a few puzzles can depend on item combinations that feel a bit illogical, and some cases may drag longer than they need to.
Even with those quirks, it’s an easy recommendation if you like lighthearted detective adventures in the same general vibe as titles like Frog Detective, Puzzle Agent, or Gibbous: A Cthulhu Adventure. Normally priced at $14.99, it will be free on Epic Games Store from February 12 to February 19, 2026.
Second free game: Nobody Wants to Die
The second mid-February freebie is Nobody Wants to Die, another multi-award-winning detective game, but with a very different style. It’s set in a dystopian New York and embraces noir-inspired storytelling, focusing more on atmosphere, investigation, and narrative decisions than traditional puzzle chains.
Instead of solving classic inventory puzzles, you’ll work cases by examining evidence and reconstructing crime scenes using time-manipulation technology. Finding key moments matters, and the way you speak to characters and approach investigations can affect where the story goes. Because outcomes are shaped by both dialogue choices and investigative actions, the game can lead to multiple endings.
Players have rated it “Very Positive” on Steam with more than 2,500 reviews. Some feedback mentions that the time-rewinding mechanic can make investigations feel easier than expected, and a few endings may come across as abrupt. Still, overall it’s regarded as a solid detective experience for players who prefer narrative-heavy mystery games. Its usual price is $24.99, and it will also be free on Epic Games Store from February 12 to February 19, 2026.
A strong week for fans of detective games
With one game delivering a humorous point-and-click mystery in pixel art, and the other offering a noir, choice-driven investigation with time-based scene reconstruction, Epic’s mid-February 2026 free PC games lineup covers two very different flavors of detective storytelling. If either one sounds like your kind of case, make sure to claim them during the February 12–19 window so they’re added to your library.
