PC Horror Fans: Claim Two Free Games on Steam Before July 13

PC horror fans currently have a pair of chilling games they can add to their libraries at no cost. The big advantage of gaming on computer is simple: storefronts compete for attention, and many of them regularly rotate free promotions.

Right now, the freebie trail is easy to follow. On Steam, a free-to-play weekend promotion has put three titles into players’ hands until July 13, including ARK: Survival Ascended. Over on the Epic Games Store, the rotating free offer is live as well, with Nova Lands and Tattoo Tycoon available as free-to-keep picks until July 16.

Steam also has its own hook for horror-leaning players: a 2025 action roguelite that originally launched as a paid game is currently available for $0.00.

Quick facts

• Grab Decrypt and Within on Itch.io for free
• Offer ends July 13, 2026, at 12:23 AM ET

Itch.io is running a free giveaway right now for two horror titles: Decrypt and Within. Both games are made by Crux Game Studios and are being offered as a celebration tied to the announcement of the studio’s upcoming project, Drift.

The developer frames them as quick, high-impact experiences. Decrypt is estimated at roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour, while Within should land around 30 minutes to beat. Because the promotion is time-limited, you’ll want to claim them before the window closes on July 13, 2026, at 12:23 AM ET.

After you register and claim, the downloads will sit in your Itch.io library for later. That makes these freebies especially low-risk: grab them now while they’re completely free, then play whenever you’re in the mood.

Sign in to claim your spot on the leaderboard!

How to claim free games on Itch.io

• Create an Itch.io account.
• Open the game’s store page.
• Select the “Download or claim” option.
• If you’re asked to donate to the developer, donate or choose “No thanks, just take me to the downloads.”
• Download the title from your Itch.io library.

Even though both freebies share the same general “short and scary” pitch, they don’t play in the same world. Each game is narrative-driven and includes its own original soundtrack, and both promise “intense scares.”

Within takes place inside an office building, while Decrypt leans hard into sci-fi atmosphere. In Decrypt, players board a ship called the ISS Travan, working to uncover a mystery surrounding its crew.

Player feedback on the respective Itch.io pages is notably upbeat. Many comments highlight that the stories pack a surprising amount of strength for games that are brief, which is exactly what makes these giveaways appealing if you want horror without committing to a long campaign.

Free Game Giveaways

July 2026 is shaping up to be another strong stretch for free game deals, and it comes right alongside the recent Steam Summer Sales. For players trying to expand their libraries without overspending, this combination is a convenient way to pick up more games during a short window.

One catch: not every promotion gets loud marketing. That’s why it helps to stay alert for announcements and store updates when free offers go live, since some of the best freebies can be easy to miss until you notice them in time.