Ethan Crossfield 
The Epic Games Store has confirmed Astral Ascent and Luftrausers as its free games for September 10, giving PC players a two-game promotion with a combined regular value of $34.98. The pair replaces Alone With You and will remain available to claim through September 17, 2026.
What Happened on the Epic Games Store
Astral Ascent and Luftrausers will become the 65th and 66th free games made available through the Epic Games Store in 2026. Their arrival also marks the storefront's first dual giveaway since August. Players can add both titles to their libraries during the promotion window and keep them after the offer ends.
The September 10 promotion is technically a pair of day-one releases for Epic's storefront, but that label requires context. Astral Ascent left early access in November 2023, while Luftrausers originally launched more than 12 years ago. In practical terms, September 10 is their Epic Games Store debut rather than their actual release day.
Why These Freebies Matter
Astral Ascent is a 2D action-platformer roguelite from Hibernian Workshop. Its setting, the Garden, is an astral prison controlled by 12 bosses called the Zodiacs. Players select from four heroes, combine spells across escape attempts, and can play alone or through two-player local co-op. The game holds an 84 average critic score on OpenCritic and an Overwhelmingly Positive Steam rating based on more than 1,800 reviews as of early September 2026.
Luftrausers offers a very different experience. Vlambeer's arcade shooter focuses on fast score-chasing battles against aircraft, battleships, submarines, and enemy aces. Its customization system combines weapons, bodies, and propulsion options into more than 125 aircraft configurations, while over 100 missions give players reasons to keep experimenting. The game has a 91% positive Steam rating from more than 2,500 reviews.
What to Watch Next
This promotion is notable because neither title has previously been offered as a broadly available, no-subscription-required free-to-keep game. Luftrausers appeared in a November 2014 PlayStation Plus lineup for PS3 and PS Vita, while Astral Ascent received a Steam free weekend in May 2026. Astral Ascent was also included in the August 2024 Humble Choice subscription.
For Epic users, the key deadline is September 17. The offer gives players a chance to claim a well-reviewed modern roguelite alongside an older arcade game whose replay value comes from customization and score chasing.
Key takeaways for players
- Claim both games between September 10 and September 17, 2026.
- Astral Ascent supports solo play and two-player local co-op.
- Luftrausers includes more than 125 aircraft configurations and over 100 missions.
- The pair represents Epic Games Store debuts, not genuine launch-day releases.
- Neither game previously had a broadly available, subscription-free free-to-keep promotion.
September 10 Epic Games Store freebies
| Game | Format | Reception |
|---|---|---|
| Astral Ascent | 2D action-platformer roguelite with local co-op | 84 OpenCritic average; Overwhelmingly Positive on Steam |
| Luftrausers | Arcade shooter focused on customization and score chasing | 91% positive on Steam |
Expert View
Epic's September 10 lineup is stronger than its novelty-focused day-one framing suggests. Astral Ascent supplies the deeper long-term hook through roguelite progression and cooperative play, while Luftrausers offers a compact arcade alternative built for repeat runs. Together, they give the promotion useful variety and introduce both games to Epic's audience without requiring a subscription.
