Free Detective Games on Steam
Steam currently has 2,095 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 4/14/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best detective games on Steam
- Best detective Steam Deck games
- Best detective Steam games for Mac OS
- Best detective Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. 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 holds the #1 spot for "best free Detective game on Steam" with a Player Score of 82. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10,749 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,056 positive reviews and 1,693 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 |
2. Escape Memoirs: Mini Stories
"Escape Memoirs: Mini Stories" is a series of co-operative escape-room style puzzle scenarios. Each one is sure to test your wits as you try to overcome the challenges that stand in the way of your escape.
Escape Memoirs: Mini Stories has achieved a Player Score of 83, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,379 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,773 positive reviews and 606 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 Memoirs: Mini Stories on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 9/30/2022 |
| Franchise | 0 Deer Soft |
| Developer | 0 Deer Soft |
| Publisher | 0 Deer Soft Partnership |
| Steam App Id | 2098350 |
3. 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 #3 spot for the best free Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 9,248 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,016 positive reviews and 232 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 |
4. 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 81, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 665 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 576 positive reviews and 89 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 |
5. 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 has achieved a Player Score of 84, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10,202 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,800 positive reviews and 1,402 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 |
6. 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 79, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 704 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 593 positive reviews and 111 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 |
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 2,891 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,788 positive reviews and 103 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly 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 | 4/4/2024 |
| Developer | President Studio S.A. |
| Publisher | President Studio S.A. |
| Steam App Id | 2540100 |
8. Unsolved Case
A new lead turns up old doubts about an 'Unsolved Case'. A trap, or a copycat killer? In this co-op puzzle game prequel to the award-winning Cryptic Killer series, put on your detective badges as you collaborate and communicate to crack the codes, solve the riddles, and catch the Cryptic Killer.
Unsolved Case 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 4,334 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,860 positive reviews and 474 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Release Date | 11/24/2022 |
| Franchise | Eleven Puzzles |
| Developer | Eleven Puzzles |
| Publisher | Eleven Puzzles |
| Steam App Id | 2084050 |
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 20,756 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 20,214 positive reviews and 542 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. Prison Life
An online game that you'll play with 3-11 players as a Prisoner or a Guard and will try to escape or prevent escapes. Loot, Craft, and make your way to the exit, or investigate and arrest wanted players as a guard!
Prison Life has achieved a Player Score of 77, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,511 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,007 positive reviews and 504 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Prison Life on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
More Free Detective Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Detective games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 247 | 9/5/2020 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 168 | 9/30/2022 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 148 | 9/20/2018 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 147 | 5/5/2020 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 146 | 10/20/2021 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 138 | 11/15/2023 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 137 | 4/4/2024 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 91 | 11/24/2022 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 83 | 3/31/2023 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 78 | 9/23/2022 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 60 | 2/16/2021 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 37 | 5/31/2018 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 34 | 8/7/2023 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 34 | 8/28/2020 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 25 | 10/12/2019 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 18 | 1/12/2023 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 13 | 3/13/2018 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 13 | 1/18/2024 | 60 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 12 | 4/27/2016 | 55 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 11 | 8/28/2023 | 87 | 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. (2024, April 14). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 14). Escape Room - Der kranke Kollege on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 7). Escape Memoirs: Mini Stories on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). Cube Escape: Paradox on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 8). Adventure Escape Mysteries on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 2). Fear Surrounds on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). Life Makeover on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 13). Crime Scene Cleaner: Prologue on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 6). Unsolved Case on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 15). Prison Life on Steam. Steam Store.