Astral Ascent and Luftrausers are this week’s free games from the Epic Games Store

Every week the Epic Games Store gives away a game or two for free. This week, they’re giving us two games with old-school archetypes and pixel art for free.

• Astral Ascent
  • Release Date: November 14, 2023
  • Game Type: Adventure Roguelike, Metroidvania
  • POV: 3rd person, 2D sidescroller
  • Party: Single Player
  • DLC: There are several add on packs with new heroes or biomes.

Astral Ascent is one of those titles that I, as a non-Metroidvania girlie, was more than content to watch somebody else play. From what I’ve seen it’s a delightful take on the genre, with story beats as rewards for unlocks. It does have slightly more granular control than other Metroidvanias I’ve seen, allowing you to choose a class rather than having a prebaked single hero, or getting what you get when you start again. It’s a very decent entry into the genre, but if you don’t like the genre it probably won’t be your cup of tea.

• Luftrausers
  • Release Date: March 18, 2014
  • Game Type: arcade shooter
  • POV: 3rd person, 2D
  • Party: Single Player
  • DLC: None.

I am instantly transported back to the Apple IIe days when I see the promotional images for Luftrausers. It’s a very old-school feeling arcade shooter, with a limited color palette. Even if this isn’t your favorite genre, the bite-sized play and addictive nature of it makes it a phenomenal little time killer. And as always, if it’s free, you may as well enjoy it.