Two free games this week on the Epic Games Store, and they’re an unusual pairing. Havendock is a colony sim where you’re building a thriving settlement on the open ocean by collecting floating debris and managing your resources. Hyper Echelon is a mission-based arcade shooter where you’re taking to the stars to defend the galaxy from an alien threat. Grab both free until April 2, 2026, at 11 AM ET.
Below is a closer look at Havendock and Hyper Echelon and where you can play them in the cloud.
Havendock Invites You to Build a High-Tech Society on the Open Sea
Havendock from YYZ Studio is a cozy colony sim where you’re starting with nothing but a small wooden platform in the middle of the ocean. You’re a castaway tasked with turning a humble raft into a thriving, self-sustaining community by collecting floating debris and managing your resources. The game focuses on a relaxing experience where you’re the solo leader of a growing group of survivors, balancing their needs while you expand your territory across the waves.
Everything you do is about research and smart construction. You’re building diverse structures like water purifiers, farms, and research stations to unlock advanced technology that eventually lets you build submarines and even rockets. As more survivors join your settlement, you can assign them tasks to keep the day-to-day work running, allowing you to focus on exploring the surrounding islands and trading with other civilizations. It’s about finding a way to make your group efficient while you transform raw materials into a high-tech haven.
If you’re a fan of management games that emphasize creativity and low-stress building, this is a great addition to your library. It launched its 1.0 version recently and has a positive reputation for its relaxing pace and the way it lets you watch your small platform grow into something massive. It’s a peaceful experience that runs well on Luna and streams cleanly across devices, making it a great pick for checking in on your ocean city whenever you have a few minutes to spare.
Claim Havendock for free on Epic Games Store
Where to Play Havendock in the Cloud
Hyper Echelon Puts You in the Cockpit of a Powerful Starfighter
Hyper Echelon from GangoGames LLC is a mission-based arcade shooter where you’re taking to the stars to protect the Cyan Galaxy. You’re the pilot of a starfighter tasked with stopping an invading alien force known as EXODON through a series of intense aerial battles. The game focuses on a classic arcade experience where you’re moving through different planetary systems, managing your squad, and facing off against massive enemy bosses.
Everything you do is about tactical precision and smart upgrades. You’re not just firing at anything that moves; you’re managing a unique wingman system that lets you control two ships at once for extra firepower. As you complete missions, you’re collecting parts to improve eight different components of your ship, turning your basic cannon into a diverse arsenal of lasers and rockets. You’re also earning medals by hitting specific goals, like finding collectibles or taking out every enemy unit, which helps you unlock new wingmen and special abilities like time-slowing shields.
If you have a soft spot for 16-bit arcade shooters but want a modern way to progress, this is the right pick for you. It has a very positive reputation on Steam for its challenging gameplay and the way it rewards you for mastering each mission’s specific objectives. It’s a great addition to your collection if you want a game that works well in short bursts, and it streams cleanly across every supported device. Whether you’re playing on a phone or a laptop, it provides a consistent, high-energy challenge that looks great on a cloud setup.
Claim Hyper Echelon for free on Epic Games Store
Where to Play Hyper Echelon in the Cloud
Claim Havendock and Hyper Echelon Free Before April 2
You have until 11 AM ET on April 2 to claim these and make them a permanent part of your library. These are yours to keep once you’ve added them, so it’s always worth hitting the claim button even if you aren’t ready to play them right away. It’s all part of the ongoing weekly rotation that Epic provides to keep your PC library growing without costing you a cent.
The choice here comes down to what kind of mood you’re in this week. If you’re looking for a relaxing, creative sim where you’re building a floating home and managing a community, Havendock is where you’ll spend your time. If you’re looking for a fast-paced shooter where you’re fighting off alien ships in deep space, Hyper Echelon is a great addition.
Next week, the free game rotation continues with the robot-slashing action game Clone Drone in the Danger Zone, which will be available from April 2 to April 9. We’ll be back with a full breakdown once it goes live, including where you can play it in the cloud.
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