Continuing with its weekly tradition of giving out free games,Epic Games Storeis offering a fun, and free, cozy game for users to download during for the last week of February 2025. The Free Games Program has been operating for five years now, providing a rotation of games from its vast library that users are able to download for free if it is something that jumps out at them. For the end of February 2025, one of those games happens to be a high-rated cozy game from 2021,Garden Story.
Garden Storywill be available for free on theEpic Games Storefrom February 20–27, 2025. The cheerful game set in a world of pastels lets players take on the role of Concord, the youngest grape in The Grove, who is now appointed to be the new Guardian of The Grove and help restore the island. While a dangerous invasive Rot is threatening homes,Concord and their friends must work to rebuild the community and fight back against the Rot. The game was considered one of thebest indie titles of 2021, and continues to be enjoyed by many today.
Why You Should Play Garden Story
A Cozy Experience As Guardian Of The Grove
Garden Storymay be a couple years old now, but it hasa charm and classic gameplay that makes it a wonderful addition to any cozy player’s library. The game received numerous positive reviews when it was released in 2021, and has a cozy feeling andgraphical similarity toStardew Valley, although with a story that is vastly different.
LikeAnimal CrossingandStardew Valley, the game has a bright and colorful design and players can plant crops and work on rebuilding and cultivating the island. There are delightful NPCs to get to know and an inviting atmosphere overall. Yet,it takes these cozy dynamics and blends them with a bit of an adventure RPGsuch asThe Legend of Zelda.Concord the Grape solves puzzles and fights off the evil Rot across four regions of the island in order to protect the home, all while also becoming a role model to the villagers.
Garden Story Is Cozy, Yet Provides Players With Exciting Challenges
The Lore Behind Garden Story
Players will go through all four seasons in a world that, rather than being inhabited by human or animal villagers we have seen in other cozy games, is filled with animated and lively fruits and vegetables.You’ll take on the role of guardian of the Grove,rebuilding a broken village with secrets hidden behind every corner to uncover as you play through the main story.
There are daily tasks to complete that revolve around either restoring the Grove, defending it from danger, or making small improvements to the town for those who live within it. As players make progress, Concord the Grape will be able toharness the power of their predecessors alongside unlocking core memoriesthat give more insight as to what caused the devastation in the first place.
What Game Is Free On The Epic Games Store Next Week?
An Interesting Lineup Is Coming
While this week we get a taste of warm and fuzzy fun, next week is a whole different story in terms of free games.Mages of Mystraliais theupcoming free titleon the Epic Games Store, which is a stark contrast to this week’s free title. Rather than completing tasks as a sentient grape,players willtake on the life of Zia, a young girl who discovers she has been born with powerful magic coursing through her veins.
Through solving puzzles, meeting mages, and discovering magic runesthat can be combined to create stronger abilities, players will be able to design their own spells to take on enemies, including hefty bosses, and craft new items. The action-adventure title has over a dozen areas to explore, leaving players with plenty to do while they await the next free game on the Epic Games Store.
Another Great Freebie From Epic Games
Weekly Giveaways Are Always Providing Fresh Games
Epic Games Store has continued this Free Game Program for five years now, and after seeingsignificant growth and success in 2024, the popular service doesn’t seem to be going away soon. Unlike some free programs, thetitles available on Epic’s service are often highly rated and popular games. It is a good idea to keep an eye on the weekly rotations, because even ifGarden Storydoesn’t catch your attention, it is a sure bet that something will at some point.
Cozy Games Give Players “Warm & Cozy” Feelings With Research Claiming They Might Improve Mental Well-Being
Several studies show that cozy games like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley really can be beneficial for mental health and reducing stress.
Each game in the Free Games Program is only available for free for a week on the Epic Games Store, although they can be purchased at any time.Garden Storytypically sells for $19.99 USD on the service, so getting it while it’s free is a great deal for anyone interested in the experience it provides.Garden Storywill be included as a free title for the last week of February, until February 27.
