Permanent free games: Epic Games Store
Knightica (Epic Games Store)
Epic Games Store rotated its weekly free games offering this Thursday, November 12, with Knightica, a turn-based roguelike autobattler developed by Mad Mango Games and published by Goblinz Publishing. The game, which normally costs US$ 14,99, is available for claiming and permanent retention in your Epic library until November 19 at 11 AM (ET).
Knightica combines autobattler mechanics with roguelike structure: you assemble an army of units with varied shapes and abilities, position them strategically on the battle board, and discover powerful synergies between troops. Each run features progressively harder challenges with boss fights and unique demonic tactics. The game features colorful cartoon-style art, making it accessible for casual players while offering enough strategic depth for genre fans. The PC version supports achievements, cloud saves, and controller, and has predominantly positive reviews on Steam (74% positive). Also available on mobile via the Epic Games app for Android.
As always, once claimed, Knightica stays in your Epic account forever — no subscription or payment required.
Link: Knightica on Epic Games Store
Xbox Free Play Days
Xbox Free Play Days rotation continues active this weekend with four free games available until Sunday, November 15:
- Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core — Cooperative roguelike shooter for up to 4 players as space dwarves. Released in May 2026 in Early Access. - Company of Heroes 3 — Real-time strategy set in the WWII Mediterranean theater, with the free 3.0 update. - Cities: Skylines II — City-building simulator that had serious launch issues. - IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad — WWII combat flight simulator with realistic physics.
All four games are free for Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential subscribers. Without a subscription, the games remain locked.
Steam Free Weekend
Steam launched its Free Weekend this week with four games available for free until Monday, November 16 at 1 PM ET (18:00 UTC):
Company of Heroes 3
The Relic Entertainment staple, released in February 2023, receives a free update and is now in Free Weekend. This is a real-time strategy game set in the Mediterranean theatre of WWII, with over 13,000 positive reviews on Steam (62% positive). The promotion coincides with Update 3.0 — the biggest since launch — bringing new maps, weather systems, economic overhaul, visual and audio improvements. The full version is discounted 67% (US$ 19,79) until November 19.
Link: Company of Heroes 3 — Steam
Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core
Developed by Ghost Ship Games, Rogue Core is a roguelike spin-off of the successful Deep Rock Galactic. Released in Early Access in May 2026, the game centers on procedural runs with up to four cooperative players exploring caves, collecting resources, and escaping with increasing difficulty. It has 7,000 positive reviews on Steam (69% positive) and is 50% off until November 26 (US$ 14,99).
Link: Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core — Steam
Cities: Skylines II
The Paradox Interactive sequel suffered from performance issues at its 2023 launch, but the Free Weekend is a chance to test whether updates since have improved the experience. With 35,000 reviews on Steam (58% positive), the city-building simulator is free until November 16. It is discounted 30% (US$ 34,99) until November 19.
Link: Cities: Skylines II — Steam
IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad
The For-Games CR LTD combat flight simulator, released in October 2014, is the most niche pick of the Free Weekend. With realistic flight mechanics including speed, altitude, and combat, the title has 5,000 positive reviews on Steam (79% positive) and is discounted 85% (US$ 7,34) until November 15.
Link: IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad — Steam
Unlike "free-to-keep" offers, Steam Free Weekend games are temporary — after the window closes, access is revoked unless the game is purchased.
Xbox Game Pass updates
In addition to games already covered in the previous radar, Microsoft added new titles to Game Pass this week:
Thronefall (November 11)
Minimalist tower defense where you fortify your kingdom by day and defend it by night. Build walls, recruit troops, and fight personally to protect your stronghold. Available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud, and Handheld for Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass.
Link: Thronefall — Xbox Wire
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando (November 12)
Co-op survival for up to 4 players against zombie hordes, produced under the creative direction of John Carpenter. The game involves navigating missions across semi-open environments with intense combat against mutant creatures. Available for Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass.
Link: Toxic Commando — Xbox Wire
Aphelion (November 17)
Third-person sci-fi adventure from Don't Nod (Jusant, Lost Records). After crashing on a frozen planet, astronaut Ariane must traverse hostile terrain and shifting realities to save her partner Thomas. Control both characters in an emotional, tense story. Arrives first on Premium, then on Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Link: Aphelion — Xbox Wire
PlayStation Plus — New Game Catalog wave
Sony announced the next wave of games for the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog (Extra and Premium tiers), with staggered arrivals starting November 17:
Key additions:
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (PS5, Nov 17) — Hideo Kojima's sequel. Sam Bridges navigates Australia connecting it to the Chiral Network, facing natural disasters, aging rain, and environmental challenges. - Atomfall (PS4/PS5, Nov 17) — Exploration in a post-apocalyptic English countryside with cult-controlled ruins, natural caves, and nuclear bunkers. - Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake (PS5, Nov 17) — HD-2D style remake of the classic RPG with a vast world map and captivating locations. - Hell Let Loose (PS5, Nov 17) — Hardcore WWII tactical shooter, already available since November 11. - Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (PS4/PS5, Nov 24) — Pirate RPG with the Yakuza saga, open-sea exploration, and a unique crew. - Trepang2 (PS5, Nov 24) — Frenetic action shooter in a thriller setting.
Premium exclusives:
- Soul Reaver 2 — Beloved PS2 action-platformer that joins the permanent catalog for Premium. - Freedom Wars Remastered — Remaster also joining the permanent catalog.
Link: PlayStation Blog — PS Plus November 2026
Weekly summary
| Offer | Game | Condition | End | |-------|------|-----------|-----| | Epic Games | Knightica | Free to keep | Nov 19 | | Steam Free Weekend | Company of Heroes 3 | Free weekend | Nov 16 | | Steam Free Weekend | Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core | Free weekend | Nov 16 | | Steam Free Weekend | Cities: Skylines II | Free weekend | Nov 16 | | Steam Free Weekend | IL-2 Sturmovik | Free weekend | Nov 16 | | Game Pass | Aphelion | New (Nov 17) | No deadline | | Prime Gaming | Jurassic World Evolution 2 | New (Nov 12) | Dec 2 | | Prime Gaming | Radiolight | New (Nov 12) | Dec 2 | | PS Plus Catalog | Death Stranding 2 | New (Nov 17) | Rotating |
Sources
1. Epic Games Store — Knightica free games page 2. GamingHQ — Steam Free Weekend November 16, 2026 3. Xbox Wire — Next Week on Xbox: November 9-13 4. PlayStation Blog — PS Plus Game Catalog for November 2026 5. PCGamesN — Knightica free Epic Games
Sources: Epic Games Store, GamingHQ, Xbox Wire, PlayStation Blog, PCGamesN
✓ Independent sources cross-checked and verified before publishing
