Epic Games Store’s holiday giveaway streak is rolling on, and the next “mystery” title for December 29, 2025 already has players making educated guesses. The 12th free game in the Christmas 2025 lineup turned out to be a well-reviewed indie release, and it marked the third indie freebie in a row. That run has some fans expecting a change of pace on December 29, but the giveaway history suggests Epic often sticks to a familiar rhythm.
Looking back at previous December 29 giveaways offers a useful clue. In recent years, the store has used this date to hand out games like Orcs Must Die! 3 (2024), Snakebird Complete (2023), Dishonored: Definitive Edition alongside Eximus: Seize the Frontline (2022), Salt and Sanctuary (2021), and Solitairica (2020). When you sort those by scale, the pattern becomes clearer: most are indie releases, a couple sit comfortably in the AA space, and only one really qualifies as a major AAA headline.
That trend points to the December 29, 2025 free game being another indie or AA pick rather than a blockbuster. There’s another interesting common thread too: these late-December giveaways typically aren’t known for being sprawling open-world epics or heavily narrative-driven adventures. Instead, Epic has favored games that are approachable, well-liked, and easy to jump into—exactly the kind of titles that play well during a busy holiday season.
The upside is that the quality has been consistently strong on this date. Even when the games aren’t massive releases, they tend to review well and earn solid player ratings. The big wildcard this year is that Epic’s Christmas 2025 lineup has featured fewer repeat giveaways than some past seasons. That said, the lack of repeats so far could also mean the store is saving a familiar returning freebie for a later slot—like December 29.
One of the strongest predictions for the 13th mystery game is 20XX. It fits the usual December 29 profile: indie, well-rated, and previously offered as a free title in the past. Another detail working in its favor is that it isn’t currently discounted, which often increases the odds of a game being selected as a giveaway rather than pushed through a sale.
Another name that keeps coming up is The Long Dark. It also matches the established pattern—popular, critically appreciated, and not currently on sale—making it a realistic contender for Epic’s next free release. Beyond those, other possible candidates being floated include Arcade Paradise, ScourgeBringer, and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, all of which could plausibly fit depending on whether Epic chooses a smaller indie surprise or leans more toward a meatier AA-style pick.
In the meantime, anyone who hasn’t grabbed the current free game should act soon. The 12th mystery title, SKALD: Against the Black Priory, will remain available to claim until December 29, 2025 at 16:00 UTC. Once that window closes, Epic will reveal the official 13th free game and the holiday giveaway countdown will continue.
