Vanakan Is the Epic Games Store’s Surprise Free Game for September

Epic Games Store users have another free game to add to their libraries this month. Vanakan, a recently released 2D visual novel adventure, is available at a 100% discount until September 28, giving PC players a limited-time opportunity to claim an indie title that was not widely expected to join September’s giveaway schedule.

What happened with Vanakan

Vanakan was released on the Epic Games Store in August 2026 and normally costs $4.99. Indie developers Erik and Hayk Khachatryan are now offering it for free through September 28 at 01:00 PM. Once claimed, the game can be kept through the Epic Games Store, but players need to act before the promotion ends.

The offer is unusual because it does not appear to be part of Epic’s standard weekly free-game rotation. The storefront usually announces upcoming giveaways in advance, including Mindcop and Shogun Showdown, which are scheduled to be free from September 17 through September 24. Vanakan instead arrived as a developer-initiated promotion, making it an unexpected addition to the month’s lineup.

Why this free game matters

Vanakan is a narrative-focused adventure set in 500s Armenia. Players follow the story of a priest and make decisions during the journey, although the available choices appear more limited than those in larger choice-driven games. That compact structure may appeal to players looking for a short, story-led experience rather than a lengthy role-playing game.

The project also has a broader future beyond its original visual-novel format. Vanakan 450 is planned as a 3D indie Soulslike spin-off that keeps the monk-focused theme while changing the gameplay and presentation substantially. There is no official release date for Vanakan 450 yet, but its developers have shared trailers showing some early features.

Players who prefer Steam can also find Vanakan there as a free-to-play title. The source does not establish whether that version will eventually become paid. The developers are additionally running a Steam playtest for Vanakan 405, offering another way for interested players to explore the studio’s work.

What to watch next in September

Vanakan is not the only free gaming opportunity available to PC users. The Epic Games Store is also offering Astral Ascent and Luftrausers, while Alone With You is free on mobile. On Steam, Hayfever is available after previously being sold as a paid game, and Crystal Crisis can be claimed for free until September 21.

Crystal Crisis is a retro-style 2D fighting game built around color-matching puzzles. Players destroy matching tiles to earn points, then convert those points into attacks and special moves. Meanwhile, Epic’s already announced Mindcop and Shogun Showdown will provide another scheduled pair of free games later in the month.

The key point for players is that these promotions do not all follow the same rules or end on the same date. Vanakan’s September 28 deadline is the most important date for this surprise offer, while Crystal Crisis expires earlier on Steam.

Free-game takeaways for PC players

• Claim Vanakan on the Epic Games Store before September 28 at 01:00 PM.
• Check Epic’s current lineup, including Astral Ascent and Luftrausers.
• Look for Alone With You if you are claiming games on mobile.
• Claim Crystal Crisis on Steam before its September 21 deadline.
• Consider the Vanakan 405 Steam playtest and follow Vanakan 450 for future updates.

Current free-game options mentioned

Expert View

Vanakan is a small but useful reminder that Epic’s free-game calendar is not limited to its predictable weekly rotation. The surprise developer-led giveaway gives an obscure indie project extra visibility while asking players for very little commitment: claim it before the deadline and decide later whether its focused historical narrative is worth playing. For the developers, the promotion also creates a natural bridge toward Vanakan 450 and the Vanakan 405 playtest.