Best Detective Games on Steam
Steam currently has 2,095 Detective games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Detective game rankings were last updated on 5/19/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Free detective games on Steam
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- Best detective Steam games for Mac OS
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. The Wolf Among Us
From the makers of the 2012 Game of the Year: The Walking Dead, comes a thriller based on the award-winning Fables comic books. As Bigby Wolf you will discover that a brutal, bloody murder is just a taste of things to come in a game series where your every decision can have enormous consequences.
The Wolf Among Us holds the #1 spot for "best Detective game on Steam" with a Player Score of 96. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 33,002 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 32,275 positive reviews and 727 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $7.49 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play The Wolf Among Us on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $7.49 |
| Release Date | 10/11/2013 |
| Franchise | Telltale Games |
| Developer | Telltale |
| Publisher | Telltale |
| Steam App Id | 250320 |
2. Chants of Sennaar
In this award-winning puzzle adventure game, play as the Traveler on a quest to reunite the Peoples of the Tower. Observe, listen, and decipher ancient languages in a fascinating universe inspired by the Myth of Babel.
Chants of Sennaar has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 13,148 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 12,945 positive reviews and 203 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 9/5/2023 |
| Franchise | Focus Entertainment |
| Developer | Rundisc |
| Publisher | Focus Entertainment |
| Steam App Id | 1931770 |
3. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Become Phoenix Wright and experience the thrill of battle as you fight to save your innocent clients in a court of law. Play all 14 episodes, spanning the first three games, in one gorgeous collection.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 29,262 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 28,557 positive reviews and 705 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $29.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $29.99 |
| Release Date | 4/9/2019 |
| Developer | CAPCOM Co., Ltd. |
| Publisher | CAPCOM Co., Ltd. |
| Steam App Id | 787480 |
4. Persona 4 Golden
A coming of age story that sets the protagonist and his friends on a journey kickstarted by a chain of serial murders.
Persona 4 Golden has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 69,182 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 67,145 positive reviews and 2,037 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
5. Persona 5 Royal
Don the mask and join the Phantom Thieves of Hearts as they stage grand heists, infiltrate the minds of the corrupt, and make them change their ways!
Persona 5 Royal has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 67,841 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 65,714 positive reviews and 2,127 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $59.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
6. Phasmophobia
Phasmophobia is a 4 player online co-op psychological horror. Paranormal activity is on the rise and it’s up to you and your team to use all the ghost-hunting equipment at your disposal in order to gather as much evidence as you can.
Phasmophobia has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 675,444 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 648,393 positive reviews and 27,051 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $13.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $13.99 |
| Release Date | 9/18/2020 |
| Developer | Kinetic Games |
| Publisher | Kinetic Games |
| Steam App Id | 739630 |
7. The Case of the Golden Idol
A new kind of detective game that allows you to think and investigate freely. Discover clues surrounding 12 strange and gruesome deaths and build your own theory. Pick your suspect, deduce the motive, unmask the awful truth.
The Case of the Golden Idol has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,232 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,146 positive reviews and 86 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $17.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play The Case of the Golden Idol on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $17.99 |
| Release Date | 10/13/2022 |
| Franchise | Playstack |
| Developer | Color Gray Games |
| Publisher | Playstack |
| Steam App Id | 1677770 |
8. The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog...was murdered!? Get to the bottom of the mystery in this brand-new adventure!
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 20,761 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 20,219 positive reviews and 542 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
9. Cube Escape Collection
In this classic point-and-click adventure anthology you follow the path of Dale and Laura and other famous Rusty lake characters such as Mr. Crow and Mr. Owl. The series will be updated, preserved and bundled to survive the end of the Flash Games era.
Cube Escape Collection has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,885 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,786 positive reviews and 99 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 10/14/2020 |
| Franchise | Rusty Lake |
| Developer | Rusty Lake |
| Publisher | Rusty Lake |
| Steam App Id | 1292940 |
10. Murders on the Yangtze River
"Murders on Yangtze River" is an Ace Attorney-like detective game that takes you on a journey through early 20th century China as you solve a series of intriguing cases. Use your logical reasoning and deduction skills to uncover clues, interrogate suspects, and solve the mysteries.
Murders on the Yangtze River has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10,813 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,557 positive reviews and 256 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Murders on the Yangtze River on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 1/31/2024 |
| Developer | OMEGAMES STUDIO |
| Publisher | OMEGAMES STUDIO |
| Steam App Id | 1746030 |
More Detective Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Detective games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 126 | 10/11/2013 | 96 | $7.49 | Steam Charts | |
 | 180 | 9/5/2023 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 701 | 4/9/2019 | 95 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,169 | 6/13/2020 | 95 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,960 | 10/21/2022 | 95 | $59.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 11,699 | 9/18/2020 | 95 | $13.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 85 | 10/13/2022 | 95 | $17.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 79 | 3/31/2023 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 66 | 10/14/2020 | 95 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 77 | 1/31/2024 | 95 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 2/24/2020 | 95 | $1.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 357 | 3/26/2010 | 95 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 94 | 10/18/2018 | 95 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 8/14/2021 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3 | 10/12/2020 | 94 | $1.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 75 | 9/20/2018 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 516 | 9/7/2012 | 94 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 4/27/2020 | 94 | $1.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 24 | 3/29/2019 | 94 | $6.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 222 | 4/18/2016 | 94 | $19.99 | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). The Wolf Among Us on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Chants of Sennaar on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 16). Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 17). Persona 4 Golden on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 16). Persona 5 Royal on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Phasmophobia on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). The Case of the Golden Idol on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 16). Cube Escape Collection on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 17). Murders on the Yangtze River on Steam. Steam Store.