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Serendipitously, I stumbled upon this week’s Epic freebie – a modest anniversary bundle for World of Warships that feels more like a party favor than a proper gift. While you’re getting the Yūbari cruiser and some neat cosmetics, I can’t help but feel a bit underwhelmed compared to last week’s full-game Mortal Shell offering. Sure, the 444,444 Credits and commander bonuses might spark your naval adventures, but let’s be real – this is just a starter pack dressed in birthday clothes. If you’re already sailing these digital seas, it’s worth grabbing, but don’t expect to be blown away by this anniversary handout.

Details of the Anniversary Party Favor

Party time at Epic Games Store feels a bit modest this week – I’m getting World of Warships DLC instead of a full game like last week’s Mortal Shell. But hey, if you’re already sailing these digital seas, this anniversary package might float your boat. I’ve noticed it’s exclusively available for Epic Games Store accounts until March 31, 2025, so you’ve got plenty of time to claim your naval goodies.

Breakdown of Included Items

Now let’s probe what’s actually in this birthday box. You’re getting the Yūbari, a Tier IV Japanese cruiser that I’d say is decent for newcomers. The package throws in a port slot (always handy), and a Japanese Commander with 3 skill points to help you get started. I can tell you that the 444,444 Credits and 44,444 Elite Commander XP are nice touches – they’re playing with that number 4 theme for the anniversary.

To round out the bundle, I’m seeing 4 Epic permanent camouflages (because who doesn’t want their ship looking fancy?), plus 4 Common Bonuses containers and 4 More Signals containers. While it’s not the most impressive freebie I’ve seen, these items would cost you real money otherwise. If you’re just starting your World of Warships journey through Epic, I’d say grab it – free stuff is free stuff, after all.

Influence of New Content on Gameplay

There’s a bit of a letdown this week compared to last week’s full game offering of Mortal Shell. I’ve taken the Yūbari Japanese Tier IV cruiser for a spin, and while it’s a decent mid-tier vessel, it’s not exactly breaking any waves in terms of gameplay impact. Your new ship comes with decent maneuverability and a respectable rate of fire, but I’ve found its armor about as reliable as a paper umbrella in a hurricane.

I’ve noticed the 444,444 Credits bonus is just enough to get you started with some basic upgrades, but don’t expect to be swimming in resources. The 4 Epic permanent camouflages might make your ship look fancy, but they won’t turn your Yūbari into a battleship-killer. It’s more of a “thanks for being here” pat on the back than a game-changing addition.

Strategies for Utilizing Rewards

Assuming you’re new to World of Warships, I recommend wisely using those 44,444 Elite Commander XP points. Your Japanese Commander comes with 3 skill points – not exactly generous, but enough to get your feet wet. I’ve found focusing these initial points on survivability skills gives you the best bang for your buck, especially given the Yūbari’s somewhat delicate constitution.

With those 4 Common Bonuses and 4 More Signals containers, you’ll want to time their use during special events or when you’re grinding specific ship lines. I’ve learned the hard way that randomly opening containers without a plan is like throwing pearls to seagulls – flashy but wasteful. Your best bet is saving these for when you’re pushing through tough tier transitions or when there’s a bonus weekend event running.