If there's one thing the Epic Games Store is always good for, it's providing variety with its free weekly games. Generally speaking, it's very rare to see the same genre repeated several weeks in a row with the Epic Games Store's free games. In 2026 alone, the Epic Games Store has already offered a tower defense game, a PvPvE multiplayer Sci-Fi shooter, and a grand strategy game featuring a historical setting.
Once again, the Epic Games Store is getting ready to shake things up. On January 22, 2026, the Epic Games Store is offering a free game unlike anything users have redeemed in the last few months, one that takes the absurd, tongue-in-cheek humor of Monty Python and the Holy Grail and blends it with the top-down frenetic action of classic Grand Theft Auto. Said game is called Rustler, and here's what you should know about the latest Epic freebie.
Epic Games Store: A Comprehensive List Of Every Free Game It's Had To Date
Here's a list of all the games that have been made free on the Epic Games Store. You have until January 22 to get the current free games.
The Epic Games Store Free Game for January 22: Rustler
Key Features of Rustler:
- Open world
- Top-down action gameplay
- "Historically inaccurate" medieval setting
- Puts a focus on comedy and pop-culture references
Originally released in August 2021, Rustler sees players assume the role of 'The Guy,' a medieval peasant seeking fortune and glory in a poor and unforgiving world, but also a world filled with pop-culture references and gross-out gags. With a trusty bard at their side, players can participate in all manner of unhinged open-world activities, ranging from hunting down witches to participating and backstabbing their way through the Grand Tournament.
When Rustler first hit store shelves in 2021, it wasn't met with the best critical reception. Rustler currently sits at a 63 Top Critic Average on OpenCritic, with just 26% of critics recommending the game. On the lower end of the spectrum, reviews criticized Rustler's controls, technical performance, and overreliance on crass humor. On the higher end, some outlets praised Rustler's satire and the general non-serious tone that pervades the whole experience.
But while the Epic Games Store's free game for January 22 may not have been a huge hit with critics back in 2021, that shouldn't deter certain groups from picking up the game, especially when there's no price tag attached. Those looking for an absurd sandbox to just mess around in for a few hours are sure to have some fun with Rustler, and that will certainly be the case if they're also fans of Monty Python and Grand Theft Auto.
Rustler Borrows The Top-Down Gameplay of Classic Grand Theft Auto
Rustler wears its Grand Theft Auto influences on its sleeve, so much so that the game's official subtitle (on some storefronts) is "Grand Theft Horse." Played from a top-down perspective, Rustler aims to capture the spirit of the first few Grand Theft Auto games, albeit in a totally different setting. As 'The Guy,' players are given free rein over a sizable open world and have access to a wide range of medieval weapons, including spears, swords, and crossbows. Players can also steal horses and hijack carts, with the latter mode of transport even coming with a drift mechanic.
Though Rustler does feature a story mode, it's the open-world chaos that's really the meat and potatoes of the whole experience. Along with the aforementioned activities, Rustler's official EGS description talks about flinging cows into the air, dressing up as Death, and going on a murderous rampage through a medieval city. It may not offer the most robust set of mechanics or the most innovative gameplay loop, but Rustler might scratch that chaotic itch that currently lies unfulfilled from series like Grand Theft Auto and Saint's Row.
Rustler's Tone Is Inspired by Monty Python and the Holy Grail
If it isn't clear already through the description of its gameplay loop, Rustler is not a serious game. In fact, it prides itself on just how unserious it truly is. In Rustler's official Epic Games Store description, it's stated that the game has an "inappropriate Monty Python inspired sense of humor," and that's apparent at every turn when playing the game. The skill tree is filled with corny puns, the protagonist is humorously vile, and parodies of iconic GTA features are absolutely everywhere, like a "Pimp-a-Horse" barn appearing in the tutorial location. Again, Rustler may not live up to the heights of the subjects it's trying to imitate, but its absurd and satirical tone is sure to elicit at least a chuckle or two.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 63 /100 Critics Rec: 26%
- Released
- August 31, 2021
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Jutsu Games
- Publisher(s)
- Modus Games
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Crime, Top-Down
