Best Exploration Steam Deck Games
Steam currently has 16,877 Exploration games, but not all of them can be played on the Steam Deck. Explore our list with 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. Exploration game rankings were last updated on 2/18/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best exploration games on Steam
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1. Terraria
Dig, fight, explore, build! Nothing is impossible in this action-packed adventure game. Four Pack also available!
Terraria holds the #1 spot for "best Exploration Steam Deck game" with a Player Score of 97. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,377,203 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,342,802 positive reviews and 34,401 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
2. Euro Truck Simulator 2
Travel across Europe as king of the road, a trucker who delivers important cargo across impressive distances! With dozens of cities to explore, your endurance, skill and speed will all be pushed to their limits.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Exploration Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 805,954 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 786,177 positive reviews and 19,777 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 10/12/2012 |
| Franchise | SCS Software |
| Developer | SCS Software |
| Publisher | SCS Software |
| Steam App Id | 227300 |
3. A Short Hike
Hike, climb, and soar through the peaceful mountainside landscapes of Hawk Peak Provincial Park as you make your way to the summit.
A Short Hike has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Exploration Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 18,299 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 18,149 positive reviews and 150 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $7.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
6. Hollow Knight
Forge your own path in Hollow Knight! An epic action adventure through a vast ruined kingdom of insects and heroes. Explore twisting caverns, battle tainted creatures and befriend bizarre bugs, all in a classic, hand-drawn 2D style.
Hollow Knight has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Exploration Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 397,454 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 385,756 positive reviews and 11,698 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 2/24/2017 |
| Developer | Team Cherry |
| Publisher | Team Cherry |
| Steam App Id | 367520 |
7. Celeste
Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain, in this super-tight platformer from the creators of TowerFall. Brave hundreds of hand-crafted challenges, uncover devious secrets, and piece together the mystery of the mountain.
Celeste has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Exploration Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 115,379 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 112,454 positive reviews and 2,925 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 1/25/2018 |
| Franchise | EXOK Games |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Maddy Makes Games Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 504230 |
8. A Hat in Time
A Hat in Time is a cute-as-heck 3D platformer featuring a little girl who stitches hats for wicked powers! Freely explore giant worlds and recover Time Pieces to travel to new heights!
A Hat in Time has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Exploration Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 51,204 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 50,109 positive reviews and 1,095 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. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 10/5/2017 |
| Developer | Gears for Breakfast |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 253230 |
9. Stray
Lost, alone and separated from family, a stray cat must untangle an ancient mystery to escape a long-forgotten cybercity and find their way home.
Stray has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Exploration Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 151,911 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 147,765 positive reviews and 4,146 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $29.99 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 | $29.99 |
| Release Date | 7/19/2022 |
| Franchise | Annapurna Interactive |
| Developer | BlueTwelve Studio |
| Publisher | Annapurna Interactive |
| Steam App Id | 1332010 |
10. Subnautica
Descend into the depths of an alien underwater world filled with wonder and peril. Craft equipment, pilot submarines and out-smart wildlife to explore lush coral reefs, volcanoes, cave systems, and more - all while trying to survive.
Subnautica has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Exploration Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 304,755 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 295,638 positive reviews and 9,117 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $29.99 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 | $29.99 |
| Release Date | 1/24/2018 |
| Franchise | Unknown Worlds |
| Developer | Unknown Worlds Entertainment |
| Publisher | Unknown Worlds Entertainment |
| Steam App Id | 264710 |
More Exploration Steam Deck Verified Games
Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Exploration games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23,814 | 5/16/2011 | 97 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 21,179 | 10/12/2012 | 97 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 22 | 7/30/2019 | 97 | $7.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 12/1/2023 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 9 | 7/17/2023 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 113 | 2/24/2017 | 96 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 682 | 1/25/2018 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 244 | 10/5/2017 | 96 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 395 | 7/19/2022 | 96 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 4,036 | 1/24/2018 | 96 | $29.99 | 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. (2025, February 18). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 18). Terraria on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 18). Euro Truck Simulator 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 9). A Short Hike on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 22). Cats Hidden in Jingle Jam on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 22). Cats Hidden in Paris on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 18). Hollow Knight on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 7). Celeste on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 16). A Hat in Time on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 26). Stray on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 3). Subnautica on Steam. Steam Store.