Epic Free Games July 9–16: Nova Lands & Tattoo Tycoon — Nearly $50 Worth, Claim Now

Two very different games share the spotlight on the Epic Games Store this week: a factory-building exploration sandbox and a management sim set in a coastal tattoo parlor. Nova Lands and Tattoo Tycoon are both free to claim from July 9 until Thursday, July 16 at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET, after which they swap out for the next week's titles. Once claimed, both are yours permanently.

This Week's Free Games at a Glance

Claim here: Epic Games Store Free Games

Nova Lands — 2D Automation in a Compact Package

Nova Lands is a top-down sandbox from Brazilian indie studio Behemutt, released in 2022 to a Very Positive reception on Steam. The premise is simple: you land on an unnamed planet and start building. The loop — gather resources, automate extraction, expand to new islands — will feel familiar to anyone who's touched Factorio or Satisfactory, but Nova Lands keeps the scope deliberately manageable.

What to Expect

• ▶Automation focus: chain harvesters, processors, and conveyors to eliminate manual labor step by step
• ▶Multi-island exploration: each island introduces new resources, biomes, and hostile creatures
• ▶Light combat: real-time encounters with alien enemies that gate progression without demanding twitch skill
• ▶Compact playtime: 20–30 hours to a satisfying completion — not a 500-hour commitment

The developers describe it as "Factorio meets Forager meets Satisfactory." That pitch understates how approachable it is compared to Factorio's infamous learning curve; Nova Lands is the automation genre's entry point, not its endgame. An Epic rating of 4.8 out of 5 suggests the community agrees.

Tattoo Tycoon — Run the Shop, Build the Culture

Tattoo Tycoon comes from German studio CrazyBunch, published by HandyGames, and originally released in October 2025 for Switch and PC at $29.99. The pitch: take over a rundown tattoo shop in Tattuga Bay and turn it into the cultural heart of the community.

The gameplay loop centers on design selection, client management, shop customization, and reputation building. It's lighter and more style-focused than the heavier simulation fare of Two Point or Planet Coaster — the emphasis is on aesthetic identity and vibes as much as efficiency metrics.

Who It's For

• ▶Players who enjoy tycoon games with a strong visual identity and relaxed pacing
• ▶Anyone drawn to art, fashion, or subculture as game settings
• ▶Those looking for session-friendly content (30–60 minute chunks) with a clear sense of progression

How to Claim

1. 1Go to the Epic Games Store free games page
2. 2Sign in to your Epic account (free to create)
3. 3Click "Get" on both Nova Lands and Tattoo Tycoon
4. 4Done — both are permanently added to your library

Deadline: Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 8:00 AM PT / 11:00 AM ET / 4:00 PM BST. After that, a new pair of games replaces them.

What Else Is Free This Weekend

Epic isn't the only source of freebies this week. Here's what else is available right now:

Steam free weekends let you play but not keep; Epic's giveaway transfers permanent ownership. The Xbox Free Play Days are Game Pass subscriber perks — you can play through the weekend but don't own the game afterward.

GamePeak Summary

Even if neither game is on your immediate play list, it costs nothing to claim them now and return later. Nova Lands especially earns the keep — a well-rated automation sandbox with a reasonable playtime is a solid addition to any PC library at any price, let alone free.