Free Exploration Games on Steam
Steam currently has 18,592 Exploration 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 Exploration game rankings were last updated on 6/17/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best exploration games on Steam
- Best exploration Steam Deck games
- Best exploration Steam games for Mac OS
- Best exploration Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. OBS Studio
Free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming
OBS Studio holds the #1 spot for "best free Exploration game on Steam" with a Player Score of 93. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 37,485 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 35,694 positive reviews and 1,791 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 not possible to play or run OBS Studio on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 3/21/2022 |
| Developer | OBS Project |
| Publisher | OBS Project |
| Steam App Id | 1905180 |
2. Wuthering Waves
Wuthering Waves is a story-rich open-world action RPG with a high degree of freedom. You wake from your slumber as Rover, joined by a vibrant cast of Resonators on a journey to reclaim your lost memories and change the world.
Wuthering Waves has achieved a Player Score of 88, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 14,887 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 13,410 positive reviews and 1,477 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 Wuthering Waves on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 4/28/2025 |
| Developer | KURO GAMES |
| Publisher | KURO GAMES |
| Steam App Id | 3513350 |
3. Palia
Discover a welcoming world in Palia, a free-to-play fantasy life sim adventure where you can craft, explore, and create the life and home of your dreams. With nearly endless ways to make Palia your home, you’ll find relaxation and joy in every corner of this vibrant, heartwarming world.
Palia has achieved a Player Score of 84, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 29,708 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 25,361 positive reviews and 4,347 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 Palia on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 3/25/2024 |
| Developer | Singularity 6 Corporation |
| Publisher | Singularity 6 Corporation |
| Steam App Id | 2707930 |
4. Hero's Land
HERO'S LAND is an MMO PVPVE game where survival isn't just a goal—it's a necessity. Monsters and enemies are out to get you, making every encounter a potential ambush. Fight for glory, and welcome to a world where strategy and courage are your greatest assets.
Hero's Land has achieved a Player Score of 55, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 43,963 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 24,133 positive reviews and 19,830 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Hero's Land on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
5. Dark and Darker
An unforgiving hardcore fantasy FPS dungeon PvPvE adventure. Band together with your friends and use your courage, wits, and cunning to uncover mythical treasures, defeat gruesome monsters, while staying one step ahead of the other devious treasure-hunters.
Dark and Darker has achieved a Player Score of 66, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 72,448 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 48,518 positive reviews and 23,930 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Dark and Darker on the Steam Deck.
6. EVE Online
EVE Online is a free-to-play community driven space MMO where players can choose their own path from countless different options. Experience space exploration, immense PvP and PvE battles, mining, industry and a thriving player economy in an ever-expanding sandbox.
EVE Online has achieved a Player Score of 73, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 36,474 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 26,863 positive reviews and 9,611 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play EVE Online on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
7. Sky: Children of the Light
Sky: Children of the Light is a peaceful, award-winning MMO from the creators of Journey. Explore a beautifully-animated kingdom across seven realms and create enriching memories with other players in this delightful puzzle-adventure game.
Sky: Children of the Light has achieved a Player Score of 85, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 17,770 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 15,525 positive reviews and 2,245 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Release Date | 4/10/2024 |
| Developer | thatgamecompany |
| Publisher | thatgamecompany |
| Steam App Id | 2325290 |
8. Guild Wars 2
Guild Wars 2 is an award-winning online roleplaying game with fast-paced action combat, deep character customization, and no subscription fee required. Choose from an arsenal of professions and weapons, explore a vast open world, compete in PVP modes and more. Join over 16 million players now!
Guild Wars 2 has achieved a Player Score of 87, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 21,751 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 19,314 positive reviews and 2,437 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 Guild Wars 2 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
9. Game of Thrones: Kingsroad
A story-driven action-adventure RPG, bringing the world of Westeros to life with remarkable detail and never-before seen scale.
Game of Thrones: Kingsroad has achieved a Player Score of 61, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,302 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,668 positive reviews and 1,634 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Game of Thrones: Kingsroad on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 5/21/2025 |
| Developer | Netmarble Neo |
| Publisher | Netmarble |
| Steam App Id | 3183280 |
10. 江湖客栈-The Jianghu
Hey,you! This is not a place where the Beggar's can come in and beg for help! Without 100k silver coins, never think you can use our "Jianghu Inn" sign. what? Surprisingly, we managed to get together! Do you really want to give it a try?
江湖客栈-The Jianghu has achieved a Player Score of 56, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,304 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,300 positive reviews and 1,004 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play 江湖客栈-The Jianghu on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
More Free Exploration Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Exploration games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17,305 | 3/21/2022 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 14,041 | 4/28/2025 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 6,441 | 3/25/2024 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 4,952 | 5/18/2023 | 55 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 4,549 | 6/7/2024 | 66 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,216 | 12/16/2010 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,600 | 4/10/2024 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,461 | 8/23/2022 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,863 | 5/21/2025 | 61 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,531 | 9/1/2024 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,498 | 8/10/2022 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,483 | 10/14/2020 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,439 | 5/21/2024 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,400 | 12/4/2020 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,033 | 4/28/2025 | 38 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 919 | 6/30/2025 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 915 | 5/8/2025 | 26 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 870 | 3/6/2025 | 52 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 842 | 6/5/2021 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 645 | 7/9/2015 | 79 | 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, June 17). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 17). OBS Studio on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 17). Wuthering Waves on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 17). Palia on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 17). Hero's Land on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 17). Dark and Darker on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 13). EVE Online on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 10). Sky: Children of the Light on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 14). Guild Wars 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 17). Game of Thrones: Kingsroad on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 17). 江湖客栈-The Jianghu on Steam. Steam Store.