Pinball-platformer Yoku's Island Express is free on the Epic Store

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Yoku's Island Express, released in 2018, is a "pinball-themed platform-adventure" about a beetle tied to a ball who is also a postman who cannot jump, but instead travels through a lush, lovely game world via flippers, bumpers, and launchers. It sounds weird, but it comes together surprisingly well in "a beguiling game of modest brilliance," as we said in our 85% review.

"Yoku’s Island Express carries itself with a carefree charm from title screen to credits and beyond, its cheerfully mellow vibe ensuring that any moments of potential frustration just melt away ... In its unassuming way, this is a remarkable achievement for a debut, combining two of the oldest types of game into something that feels daisy-fresh," we wrote.

You don't have to take our word for it, though, because Yoku's Island Express is now free on the Epic Games Store.

You've got until September 9 to add it to your library, at which point it will be replaced by Sheltered, "a deep and emotional survival management sim" about a family attempting to survive after a global apocalypse. It's new to the Epic Store but has a "very positive" user ranking on Steam, and a sequel is set to debut on September 21.

For even more freebies (because who doesn't like free games, am I right?), be sure to keep your eyes on our running list of all the free games you can grab right now.

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Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.