It's only natural that the Epic Games Store's most renowned freebies are high-profile, AAA games like Hogwarts Legacy, Civilization 6, Deathloop, Dead Island 2, and Control. But while heavy hitters might make for the most immediately exciting freebies, the Epic Games Store has also been home to a plethora of smaller-scale indie games that are just as worthy of a download, such as Sifu, Fear the Spotlight, Viewfinder, and Ghostrunner.
This week's Epic Games Store free game is one such indie gem. Released in 2024, Botany Manor is the Epic Games Store free game for February 5, and in a few ways, it feels like a sort of spiritual predecessor to Blue Prince, one of the most acclaimed indie games of last year.
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The Epic Games Store Free Game for February 5: Botany Manor
A Must-Play for Blue Prince Fans
- Originally released in April 2024
- Developed by Balloon Studios
- 83 Top Critic Average on OpenCritic
- Usual retail price: $24.99
- A puzzle game set in an English manor house
- Link to Botany Manor on Epic Games Store
Developed by the Devon-based Balloon Studios, Botany Manor is a 2024 puzzle game that sees players assume the role of Arabella Greene, a retired botanist who has just inherited a grand manor house in the English countryside. In this manor house, players will attempt to grow a variety of magical plants, many of which require specific conditions to thrive. To discover the secrets behind these plants, players need to explore the manor and collect clues, using the information found within to interact with the environment and to help the plants' growth.
Fans of the 2025 puzzle game sensation Blue Prince may already feel like they're in familiar territory. On a surface level, Botany Manor and Blue Prince share a somewhat similar premise, with both games beginning with the player-character inheriting a mysterious manor house that seemingly has supernatural qualities. Both games also feature very distinct art styles that share key traits. Both Botany Manor and Blue Prince aim for a minimalist art style, with scenery objects and environmental structures featuring concise designs led by careful linework. Both games also use lighting and shadows effectively to give their otherwise minimally detailed objects more depth.
Of course, Botany Manor and Blue Prince are far from carbon copies of one another. While both are puzzle games that put an emphasis on environmental clues and point-and-click style gameplay, the crux of Blue Prince's gameplay loop sets it far apart from Botany Manor. Where Botany Manor features a linear, chapter-based form of progression, Blue Prince's roguelike loop sees players experiencing most puzzles in a non-linear order.
Back when Botany Manor first launched, it was met with a very strong reception from critics, earning an 83 Top Critic Average on OpenCritic with 91% of critics recommending the game. Almost exactly one year later, Blue Prince would arrive, earning even greater acclaim from critics. Blue Prince currently holds a 90 Top Critic Average on OpenCritic, with 95% of critics recommending it. While Botany Manor may not feature the addictive roguelike loop or the wealth of optional content that Blue Prince has, the upcoming Epic Games Store free game could still scratch that itch for Blue Prince fans looking for a similar puzzle experience.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 91%
- Released
- April 9, 2024
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Developer(s)
- Balloon Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Whitethorn Games
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Immersive Sim, Exploration
The Other Epic Games Store Freebie for February 5
DLC for Pixel Gun 3D
While Botany Manor is the only free Epic Games Store game for February 5, fans of Pixel Gun 3D can also redeem a free DLC. Titled the 'Poison Retro Set', this DLC usually retails for $24.99 and comes with three new poison damage weapons inspired by the neon-soaked aesthetic of retro arcades. These three new weapons are:
- Poisonous Digital Sunrise
- Poisonous Laser Cycler
- Poisonous Wave Pulser
- Released
- May 2, 2013
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Lightmap, Cubic Games
- Publisher(s)
- Cubic Games
- Engine
- unity
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Battle Royale, FPS