Cozy Puzzles and Occult Mysteries: Epic Games Store Reveals Free Games for August 21

The weekly tradition continues as the Epic Games Store has officially revealed its next batch of free games, and it’s a fantastic week for fans of indie titles. Starting today, August 21st, and running until August 28th, PC gamers can claim two highly-rated games to keep forever: the cozy frog-collecting simulator Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge and the atmospheric occult puzzle game Strange Horticulture. These two games, which have been widely praised by both critics and players, are a perfect way to expand your PC gaming library with some unique and engaging experiences. This is a crucial moment for the platform, which has built a reputation for its generous weekly giveaways, a strategy that has helped it carve out a significant place in the highly competitive world of digital storefronts and gaming subscriptions.

A Tranquil Sanctuary: Exploring Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge

For those looking for a relaxing and charming experience, Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge is the perfect fit. This cozy-simulation game, which has been making waves since its 2024 release, puts you in the shoes of Cleo, a young woman who returns to her childhood home to restore a wetland sanctuary for frogs. The game’s core gameplay loop is a delightful mix of farming, creature collection, and habitat decoration. As you tend to your sanctuary, you’ll be able to:

• Collect and Photograph Frogs: The game features over 500 species of frogs to discover, each with its own unique traits and designs. You can also take pictures of your frogs and add them to your in-game encyclopedia.
• Restore the Wetlands: You can restore the wetland sanctuary by decorating habitats, growing plants, and building new structures. The game’s art style is a beautiful, hand-drawn painterly aesthetic, and it is complemented by a calming piano soundtrack.
• Engage in Mini-Games: As you progress, you can play a variety of mini-games that help you gather resources and unlock new items for your sanctuary.

Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge is a low-stress and highly rewarding experience that is perfect for players who are looking for a break from the fast-paced action of modern games. The game’s focus on biodiversity and environmentalism also gives it a wholesome and educational feel. With its unique blend of simulation and creativity, this is a game that is sure to be a hit with players of all ages.

An Occult Mystery: The Botanical World of Strange Horticulture

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the second free game, Strange Horticulture, offers a more mysterious and cerebral experience. This 2022 puzzle-adventure game puts you in the role of a horticulturist who has inherited a mysterious local plant store in a dark and eerie town. The core gameplay of this title is a unique mix of plant identification, puzzle-solving, and occult storytelling. Here’s a deeper look at what you can expect:

• Identify Mysterious Plants: As a plant shop owner, your job is to identify a wide range of strange and mystical plants for your customers. The game provides you with a cryptic encyclopedia, and you must use careful observation and deduction to figure out which plant is which.
• Solve Puzzles and Explore: The game features a variety of detective-style puzzles and cryptic clues that will lead you to new locations on the map. As you explore, you will discover new plant specimens and uncover the dark secrets of the town of Undermere.
• Point-and-Click Mechanics: The game is a point-and-click adventure, making it easy to get started with. But don’t let the simple mechanics fool you—the puzzles are challenging, and the story is full of twists and turns.
• Choices and Consequences: The story of Strange Horticulture is largely dependent on the choices you make during your interactions with the characters. Each choice has an effect on the fate of the characters, and there are multiple outcomes to the story.

Strange Horticulture has a “Very Positive” rating on Steam from over 12,000 reviews and has been praised for its unique concept and atmospheric presentation. The game’s point-and-click mechanics and soothing sound design make it a perfect game to get lost in for hours. Both Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge and Strange Horticulture are fantastic additions to the Epic Games Store’s free game lineup, offering a combined value of over $30. Make sure to claim these titles before they return to their regular prices on August 28th.