Free Detective Games on Steam
Steam currently has 2,655 Detective games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best free games ranked by popularity and ratings. Data for this list is calculated from reviews and player counts reported directly by Steam and will be updated in real-time. Free Detective game rankings were last updated on 3/18/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best detective games on Steam
- Best detective Steam Deck games
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- Best detective Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Fear Surrounds
Fear Surrounds is a horror-tinged take on the werewolf-style social subterfuge genre, where two evil spirits hide within a group of players and attempt to sabotage and murder them.
Fear Surrounds holds the #1 spot for "best free Detective game on Steam" with a Player Score of 84. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10,720 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,246 positive reviews and 1,474 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Release Date | 10/20/2021 |
| Developer | SaltyEgg Studio |
| Publisher | Yooreka Studio |
| Steam App Id | 1526490 |
2. Life Makeover
Explore Life Makeover: Unleash your style, dye outfits, and design freely. Dive into unlimited dress-up, build your dream home - all for free.
Life Makeover has achieved a Player Score of 80, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,184 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,001 positive reviews and 183 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Life Makeover on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 11/15/2023 |
| Developer | Archosaur Games |
| Publisher | Archosaur Games |
| Steam App Id | 2626940 |
3. Pathologic 3: Quarantine
In this free prologue to a narrative-driven adventure, watch a mysterious plague break out in a small town. Learn what drove a celebrated academic to leave his acclaimed lab. Examine patients, uncover strange secrets, and make first steps towards immortality.
Pathologic 3: Quarantine has achieved a Player Score of 86, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 675 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 619 positive reviews and 56 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Release Date | 3/17/2025 |
| Franchise | HypeTrain Digital |
| Developer | Ice-Pick Lodge |
| Publisher | HypeTrain Digital |
| Steam App Id | 3389330 |
4. Cube Escape: Paradox
The tenth Cube Escape follows the story of detective Dale Vandermeer who finds himself trapped in two different universes and needs to escape. Cube Escape: Paradox will be released together with the accompanying Paradox: A Rusty Lake Film.
Cube Escape: Paradox has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10,217 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,937 positive reviews and 280 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Cube Escape: Paradox on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 9/20/2018 |
| Franchise | Rusty Lake |
| Developer | Rusty Lake |
| Publisher | Rusty Lake |
| Steam App Id | 909080 |
5. Adventure Escape Mysteries
Experience the unique puzzles and critically-acclaimed stories enjoyed by tens of millions of players. Investigate cryptic clues, unravel a mystery, and solve puzzles in beautifully illustrated adventures!
Adventure Escape Mysteries has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 885 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 770 positive reviews and 115 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Adventure Escape Mysteries on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 5/5/2020 |
| Developer | Haiku Games Co |
| Publisher | Haiku Games Co |
| Steam App Id | 1141020 |
6. Escape Room - Der kranke Kollege
You only wanted to make a visit to your sick colleague, but what you encounter is beyond your imagination. Discover the secrets of your colleague and find a way to escape the trap.
Escape Room - Der kranke Kollege has achieved a Player Score of 80, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 11,921 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,756 positive reviews and 2,165 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Escape Room - Der kranke Kollege on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 9/5/2020 |
| Developer | Bitbeast Games |
| Publisher | Bitbeast Games |
| Steam App Id | 1301720 |
7. Crime Scene Cleaner: Prologue
When there’s a call, you are the man to clean up after your client’s dirty job. Siding with the mafia is a dangerous game, but they pay well, and you need money, right? So take your mop and better remove those bloodstains quickly before the police come.
Crime Scene Cleaner: Prologue has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,104 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,876 positive reviews and 228 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Crime Scene Cleaner: Prologue on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 4/4/2024 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2540100 |
8. Contraband Police: Prologue
Take over the duties of a border guard inspector in a communist country of the 80's. Smuggling, corruption and forgery are the order of the day here. Be vigilant and earn the respect of your superiors.
Contraband Police: Prologue has achieved a Player Score of 86, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 7,112 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,329 positive reviews and 783 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Contraband Police: Prologue on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 2/16/2021 |
| Developer | Crazy Rocks |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1396240 |
9. 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 #9 spot for the best free Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 23,199 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 22,552 positive reviews and 647 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It 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).
10. Operation: Tango - Friend Pass
Download the Friend Pass and play for free with a friend who owns the full Operation: Tango game. It takes two to save the world, but it only takes one to pay for it.
Operation: Tango - Friend Pass has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,048 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,761 positive reviews and 287 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Operation: Tango - Friend Pass on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 8/28/2020 |
| Developer | Clever Plays |
| Publisher | Clever Plays |
| Steam App Id | 1377150 |
More Free Detective Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Detective games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 227 | 10/20/2021 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 204 | 11/15/2023 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 122 | 3/17/2025 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 84 | 9/20/2018 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 78 | 5/5/2020 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 70 | 9/5/2020 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 70 | 4/4/2024 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 60 | 2/16/2021 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 50 | 3/31/2023 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 38 | 8/28/2020 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 26 | 11/24/2022 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 22 | 1/12/2023 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 18 | 9/30/2022 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 18 | 8/7/2023 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 14 | 6/6/2024 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 14 | 1/31/2025 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 13 | 2/6/2025 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 12 | 7/23/2020 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 11 | 4/27/2016 | 57 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 10 | 10/12/2019 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Player counts 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, March 18). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 18). Fear Surrounds on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 20). Life Makeover on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 20). Pathologic 3: Quarantine on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 15). Cube Escape: Paradox on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 12). Adventure Escape Mysteries on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 24). Escape Room - Der kranke Kollege on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 14). Crime Scene Cleaner: Prologue on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 10). Contraband Police: Prologue on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 15). The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 2). Operation: Tango - Friend Pass on Steam. Steam Store.