Ethan Crossfield 
Epic Games Store users have two well-reviewed games to watch for in the platform's first October 2026 giveaway. Buried Stars and System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster will be available to claim from October 1 through October 8, with a combined typical price of $69.98. Players who enjoy narrative mysteries or immersive science-fiction action should keep the claim window in mind, while anyone currently waiting on a free game can continue with the existing Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles and Mechabellum promotion.
What changed in the Epic Games Store lineup?
Epic's latest weekly offer replaced the September 17-24 giveaway of Mindcop and Shogun Showdown with Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles and Mechabellum. Alongside that change, the storefront confirmed the next promotion rather than leaving the October selection as a mystery.
The October 1 package pairs Buried Stars, a visual-novel-style mystery adventure, with Nightdive Studios' System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster. Both games will follow Epic's usual seven-day claim period and remain available until October 8 at 8 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. ET / 5 p.m. CET.
Who should consider claiming these games?
Buried Stars is built around investigation and conversation. Players take the role of Do-yoon Han, one of several contestants trapped in a collapsed television studio after an accident disrupts a live survival-audition program. Progress involves searching the wreckage, examining posts on the fictional Phater social network, collecting keywords, and choosing how to use gathered information when speaking with the other survivors.
The game holds an 81 average score and an 80% recommendation rate on OpenCritic, alongside more than 200 Mostly Positive Steam reviews. It is therefore a particularly relevant pickup for players who prefer character-driven mysteries over traditional action gameplay.
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is aimed at players who want a classic immersive-sim experience with updated presentation and controls. Nightdive preserved the original's levels, progression, combat, and resource management while rebuilding character and weapon models, improving animations, recreating cinematics, and adding optimized controller support. The remaster also supports ultrawide displays and frame rates up to 144 FPS, with expanded mod support, achievements, and quality-of-life changes.
When can players claim the October games?
The giveaway begins on October 1 and ends on October 8 at the listed regional times. Buried Stars normally costs $39.99, while System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is typically priced at $29.99, putting the combined standard value at $69.98.
That total makes the promotion one of Epic's more valuable giveaways of 2026. The source material identifies a larger mystery-game promotion from late May as the last offer to exceed it, at roughly $80. Players should add both October titles during the active window rather than assuming the games will remain free after the deadline.
What players should know
- Buried Stars and System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster become free on October 1.
- The claim period ends October 8 at 8 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. ET / 5 p.m. CET.
- Buried Stars focuses on clues, social posts, keywords, and dialogue choices.
- The System Shock 2 remaster keeps the original structure while modernizing visuals, controls, and compatibility.
- The two games have a combined typical value of $69.98.
Expert View
This is a strong two-game bundle because it covers distinct tastes without relying on two similar genres. Buried Stars offers a focused mystery for players comfortable with dialogue-heavy investigation, while System Shock 2 provides a more systems-driven and combat-oriented experience. Neither should be treated as a universal recommendation, but both have solid critical or user reception, and the $69.98 combined value makes claiming them worthwhile for Epic users.
