Epic Games Store revealed Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge and Strange Horticulture as its penultimate free PC-game batch for August 2025. The games were scheduled to become free to claim on Thursday, August 21, 2025, after the preceding giveaway ended. This was a historical promotion and is no longer live.
The announcement was made on August 14, 2025. The reported regular prices were $19.99 for Kamaeru and $15.99 for Strange Horticulture, a combined nominal value of approximately $35.98, although prices vary by region, currency, sale, and date. Contemporary coverage reported the lineup and timing.
Which games were in the giveaway?
The two games were substantially different experiences: Kamaeru was a relaxed frog-collecting and wetland-restoration simulation, while Strange Horticulture was a slower occult mystery built around plant identification and deduction.
Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge
Developed by Humble Reeds and published by Armor Games Studios, Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge originally released on June 8, 2024. It is a single-player cozy simulation focused on restoring wetlands, growing crops, manufacturing goods, decorating a frog sanctuary, and photographing and breeding frogs.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
The game’s Steam description highlights more than 500 frog varieties to collect or breed, along with native plants and habitat customization. Its appeal is low-pressure progression rather than combat or traditional action. The cited Steam page displayed a Very Positive user-review rating, with 86% positive among 225 purchaser reviews in the visible review subset at the time.
The listed Windows minimum requirements were modest but still worth checking: Windows 10 64-bit, 8 GB of RAM, an Intel Core m5-6Y57 or equivalent processor, Intel HD Graphics 515 or equivalent graphics, and 400 MB of storage. Requirements and compatibility can change by storefront version, so consult the game’s store page before installing.
Strange Horticulture
Developed by Bad Viking and published by Iceberg Interactive, Strange Horticulture originally released on January 21, 2022. You operate a local plant shop, identify unusual specimens, investigate an occult mystery, interpret clues, and decide which plants to use as the story develops.
Rank #2
- Supported Multi-Platform:Switch/Switch 2 (NO support wake-up function)/iOS/Android/Windows PC (Notice:Not compatible with Xbox, PlayStation or GeForce Now, For game platforms not mentioned, please consult customer service before buying）
- Connection modes:Wired/Bluetooth/Wireless Dongle(Connect to PC via Bluetooth : Select iOS (phone) mode, but it's not recommended; Dongle is more stable)
- 【Innovative Intelligent Interactive Screen】Manba One V2 wireless game controllers create a new era of controller screens; Equipped with a 2-inch display, no App & software needed, you can set the pc controller directly through the screen visualization, More convenient operation
- 【Micro Switch Button】Manba One wireless controller has Micro Switch Button and ALPS Bumper; The 6-axis gyroscope function makes switch games more immersive
- 【Customize Your Own Controller】The intelligent interactive screen allows you to easily set vibrations, buttons, joysticks,lights, etc., without the need for complex key combinations; 4 configurations can be saved to unlock your own gameplay for different games; The 4 back keys support macro definition settings, and you can activate the set character's ultimate move with one click
The game combines plant identification, point-and-click investigation, puzzle-solving, exploration beyond the shop, and an in-game encyclopedia. The plants you choose can influence events and outcomes, and the story offers multiple possible conclusions. It is a focused, single-player mystery rather than an action game.
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When could players claim them?
The previous Epic giveaway featured Hidden Folks and Totally Reliable Delivery Service Standard Edition. The contemporary report said that offer would end on August 21, 2025, at 15:00 UTC, with Kamaeru and Strange Horticulture following it.
Rank #3
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
There is an important inconsistency in the available coverage: it described Strange Horticulture as available from August 21 to August 28, but listed Kamaeru as running from August 21 to August 22. That unusually short period does not fit the normal weekly giveaway pattern and may have been a typographical or reporting error.
The safest conclusion is that both games were announced for the August 21 transition, while the reported end date for Kamaeru should not be treated as independently confirmed. Epic’s current free-games page describes a weekly Thursday promotion on PC and mobile, but it does not preserve the exact August 2025 listing.
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These were free-to-claim games, not permanently free-to-play titles. During the promotional window, players needed to add each game to an Epic Games Store account at a displayed price of $0. After a successful claim, the title would normally remain associated with that account under Epic’s standard store terms.
Rank #4
- Multi-Platform PC Gaming Controller: Working with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections.
- Hall Effect Joysticks: Delivering enhanced recentering performance for smoother control and superior anti-drift capability. Plus, with anti-friction rings.
- 2-Way Trigger Lock: With trigger stops, gamers can toggle between short and long pull positions. Additionally, gamers can activate hair trigger mode by pressing M+LT/RT (triggers must be in the long pull position).
- 1000Hz Polling Rate: This ensures that your inputs are registered almost instantaneously, minimizing lag and maximizing your performance during competitive play.
- Mechanical Circular D-pad: Designed for quick reactions and accuracy in every direction, this D-pad elevates your gaming experience with superior responsiveness.
The offer applied to the Epic Games Store PC storefront. It was not a Steam giveaway, and owning either title on Steam would not normally transfer ownership to Epic. Likewise, claiming an Epic copy would not grant a Steam license.
How players would have claimed the games
- Open the Epic Games Store free-games page.
- Sign in to an Epic Games account or create one.
- Select the listing for the relevant game.
- Choose Get, or the equivalent claim button shown by the store.
- Complete the checkout flow with the displayed price at $0.
- Confirm that the game appears in the account library.
- Install it through the Epic Games Launcher.
The exact labels and layout may differ from the August 2025 interface, but the central requirement was an Epic account and a completed claim during the offer window.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which game was the better fit?
| Game | Best for | Main appeal | Potential drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge | Cozy-game fans, collectors, and relaxed players | Frog collecting, farming, habitat decoration, and wetland restoration | Its low-intensity progression may feel repetitive to players seeking action or urgency |
| Strange Horticulture | Mystery, puzzle, and narrative-game fans | Plant identification, occult investigation, clue-solving, and multiple outcomes | Its deliberate, reading-heavy structure may not suit players wanting conventional action |
Choose Kamaeru if you want a relaxed collecting and customization loop with cute animals and repeatable short sessions. Choose Strange Horticulture if you prefer atmosphere, deduction, story choices, and a more focused mystery.
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- Platform Compatibility: This PC controller is designed for Windows PC, Steam, Switch, Android, and iOS. Xbox-style asymmetric stick layout for PC gamers. Three modes cover all your devices. Please check your device compatibility before purchase
- Three Connection Modes: 2.4G wireless, Bluetooth, wired USB-C. PC gets native XInput/DirectInput. Switch pairs via Bluetooth, no adapter. This gaming PC controller switches devices seamlessly. Stable wireless minimizes random disconnects during gaming
- Hall Effect Precision: Hall effect joysticks and triggers eliminate stick drift. This gaming controller for PC delivers smooth, responsive input with no dead zones. Built for FPS, racing, and action games. Long-term precision for competitive PC gaming
- Back Buttons & Battery: Two programmable back buttons map combos and shortcuts. Textured grips with dual vibration. 1000mAh battery delivers up to 20H playtime. RGB can be turned off. A solid PC controller for gaming with custom back buttons
- ABXY Layout Switch: Press B + Minus + Plus to swap between PC and Switch modes. Features: 1000Hz polling rate, RGB lighting, turbo. Note: designed without mic jack or gyro sensor
The reported combined value of about $36 made the lineup attractive on paper, but nominal list price is not the same as gameplay value. The stronger reason to claim both was that they served different audiences: one offered open-ended sanctuary management, while the other delivered a compact, choice-driven investigation.
If a historical claim did not work
- No claim button: The promotion may not yet have started in the account’s region, or it may already have ended.
- A price appears instead of $0: Check the date, time zone, account region, and selected edition. The reported Kamaeru dates were themselves inconsistent.
- The game is missing from the library: Refresh the library, verify that the transaction completed, and confirm that the intended Epic account is signed in.
- The game is unavailable on a preferred platform: This was an Epic PC-storefront offer, not a guarantee of console or Steam ownership.
- The game will not run: Check the relevant PC system requirements and operating-system compatibility before installation.
Epic’s current weekly giveaway program can be checked at its official free-games page, but the August 2025 promotion should not be assumed to remain available.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
