Best Investigation Linux Games on Steam
Steam currently has 2,143 Investigation games, but not all of them are able to be played on Linux builds. 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. Investigation game rankings were last updated on 4/29/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best investigation games on Steam
- Best investigation Steam Deck games
- Best investigation Steam games (for Mac OS)
- Free investigation games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark
Delouse your room with sage and pack up your travel-sized ouija board, it’s time to re-enter Twin Lakes - America’s 34th most haunted city. Join Detective McQueen as he puzzles his way through 9 chilling cases, risking life and pixelated limb to solve the macabre mysteries that plague the poor town.
The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark holds the #1 spot for "best Linux Investigation game on Steam" with a Player Score of 92. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,441 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,396 positive reviews and 45 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 | 4/15/2021 |
| Franchise | Akupara Games |
| Developer | Spooky Doorway |
| Publisher | Akupara Games |
| Steam App Id | 795420 |
2. Escape Simulator
First-person puzzler you can play solo or in an online co-op (best with 2-3 players, but playable with more). Explore a set of highly interactive escape rooms. Move furniture, pick up and examine everything, smash pots and break locks! Supports community rooms through the level editor.
Escape Simulator has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Linux Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 14,520 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 13,655 positive reviews and 865 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $13.99 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 | $13.99 |
| Release Date | 10/19/2021 |
| Franchise | Pine Studio |
| Developer | Pine Studio |
| Publisher | Pine Studio |
| Steam App Id | 1435790 |
3. What Never Was
What Never Was is a short, story-driven first-person game focused on exploration and puzzle-solving about Sarah, having to shoulder the arduous task of clearing out her grandfathers attic, and soon finds that not everything about the attic is what it seems.
What Never Was has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Linux Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,799 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,555 positive reviews and 244 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free 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.
| Release Date | 1/11/2019 |
| Developer | Acke Hallgren |
| Publisher | Acke Hallgren |
| Steam App Id | 866440 |
4. I'm on Observation Duty 4
A spot the difference -type of puzzle horror game about monitoring live surveillance camera footage and spotting anomalies. Anomalies range from furniture movement to intruders. Fix anomalies by filing reports. You will need sharp eyes and good memory. The goal is to survive the entire night.
I'm on Observation Duty 4 has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Linux Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 681 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 668 positive reviews and 13 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 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.
5. Tales From Off-Peak City Vol. 1
On the corner of July Avenue and Yam Street, all is not what it seems. What role will you play in a city's fate?
Tales From Off-Peak City Vol. 1 has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Linux Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 519 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 512 positive reviews and 7 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. At the moment, it is possible to play Tales From Off-Peak City Vol. 1 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 5/15/2020 |
| Franchise | Cosmo D Studios |
| Developer | Cosmo D |
| Publisher | Cosmo D Studios LLC |
| Steam App Id | 1129920 |
6. Scarlet Hollow — Episode 1
The free-to-play first episode of a horror-mystery game with dark humor and hand-drawn art from award-winning graphic novelist Abby Howard.
Scarlet Hollow — Episode 1 has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Linux Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 662 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 645 positive reviews and 17 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Scarlet Hollow — Episode 1 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 9/25/2020 |
| Franchise | Black Tabby Games |
| Developer | Black Tabby Games |
| Publisher | Black Tabby Games |
| Steam App Id | 1406040 |
7. Arctic Eggs
A Sci-Fi Cooking game where you take up the role of a Poultry Peddler stuck in Antarctica and longing for a way out. Cook your illegal eggs for those who look hungry.
Arctic Eggs has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Linux Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 369 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 363 positive reviews and 6 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $6.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Steam Price | $6.99 |
| Release Date | 5/16/2024 |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | The Water Museum |
| Steam App Id | 2763670 |
8. Bombe
Minesweeper, but you only solve each situation once.
Bombe has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Linux Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 257 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 253 positive reviews and 4 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Bombe on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 6/4/2023 |
| Developer | Charlie Brej |
| Publisher | Charlie Brej |
| Steam App Id | 2262930 |
9. Friendly Fire
Can you save the world from an unknown destiny?
Friendly Fire has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Linux Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 998 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 945 positive reviews and 53 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Release Date | 7/5/2020 |
| Developer | The Cat Hive Developers |
| Publisher | The Cat Hive Developers |
| Steam App Id | 1311660 |
10. The Groom of Gallagher Mansion
Hunt down a beheaded ghost to save your college club from losing funding! It'll be a piece of cake— wait, what do you mean he wants to marry you!? The Groom of Gallagher Mansion is spooky comedic romantic visual novel full of laughs and scares all around!
The Groom of Gallagher Mansion has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Linux Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 152 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 152 positive reviews and 0 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play The Groom of Gallagher Mansion on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 9/30/2023 |
| Developer | SnaccPop Studios |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2392230 |
More Investigation Linux Games on Steam
Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Investigation games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 4 | 4/15/2021 | 92 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 545 | 10/19/2021 | 92 | $13.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 1/11/2019 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6 | 12/22/2021 | 91 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 5/15/2020 | 91 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 4 | 9/25/2020 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 82 | 5/16/2024 | 90 | $6.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 10 | 6/4/2023 | 89 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 7/5/2020 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3 | 9/30/2023 | 89 | $4.99 | 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, April 29). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 29). The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 17). Escape Simulator on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 6). What Never Was on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 17). I'm on Observation Duty 4 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 26). Tales From Off-Peak City Vol. 1 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 10). Scarlet Hollow — Episode 1 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Arctic Eggs on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 11). Bombe on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 6). Friendly Fire on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 4). The Groom of Gallagher Mansion on Steam. Steam Store.