Free Exploration Games on Steam

Steam currently has 20,276 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 9/29/2025.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

1. skate.

Experience improved Flick-It controls, the rich physics based skateboarding gameplay that provides those “only in skate.™“ moments and off-board exploration for full freedom in the online multiplayer world of San Vansterdam.

skate. banner

skate. holds the #1 spot for "best free Exploration game on Steam" with a Player Score of 67. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 37,020 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 25,179 positive reviews and 11,841 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 skate. on the Steam Deck.

Release Date 9/16/2025
Franchise Electronic Arts
Developer Full Circle
Publisher Electronic Arts
Steam App Id 3354750

2. 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 banner

Dark and Darker has achieved a Player Score of 64, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 76,614 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 49,394 positive reviews and 27,220 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.

Release Date 6/7/2024
Developer IRONMACE
Publisher IRONMACE
Steam App Id 2016590

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 banner

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 34,293 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 29,392 positive reviews and 4,901 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. OBS Studio

Free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming

OBS Studio banner

OBS Studio has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 41,629 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 39,616 positive reviews and 2,013 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

5. 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.

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Wuthering Waves has achieved a Player Score of 88, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 23,887 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 21,394 positive reviews and 2,493 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 Wuthering Waves on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 4/28/2025
Developer KURO GAMES
Publisher KURO GAMES
Steam App Id 3513350

6. 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 banner

Guild Wars 2 has achieved a Player Score of 87, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 23,423 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 20,779 positive reviews and 2,644 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).

Release Date 8/23/2022
Franchise NCSOFT
Developer ArenaNet®
Publishers
Steam App Id 1284210

7. RuneScape ®

RuneScape is a high fantasy open world MMORPG. Explore an ever changing and evolving living world where new challenges, skills, and quests await. Featuring unprecedented player freedom, you choose how to play, adventure, and grow.

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RuneScape ® has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 25,858 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 21,296 positive reviews and 4,562 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 RuneScape ® on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 10/14/2020
Franchise Jagex Ltd
Developer Jagex Ltd
Publisher Jagex Ltd
Steam App Id 1343400

8. Infinity Nikki

Embark on a cozy open-world adventure filled with vast landscape, mystical puzzles and unexpected platforming challenges. Dress up not just for style, but to unravel hidden mysteries, interact with a vibrant environment, and experience the freedom to explore at your own pace.

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Infinity Nikki has achieved a Player Score of 44, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 7,146 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,083 positive reviews and 4,063 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.

It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Infinity Nikki on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 4/28/2025
Developer Infold Games
Publisher Infold Games
Steam App Id 3164330

9. EVE Online

Over 20 years of legendary space battles! Explore a massive living universe of danger and opportunity in a challenging and highly rewarding sci-fi sandbox MMO. Fight, trade, build, and connect with a universe driven and shaped directly by players.

EVE Online banner

EVE Online has achieved a Player Score of 73, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 37,087 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 27,256 positive reviews and 9,831 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).

Release Date 12/15/2010
Franchise CCP Games
Developer CCP
Publisher CCP
Steam App Id 8500

10. 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 banner

Sky: Children of the Light has achieved a Player Score of 85, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 19,442 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 16,977 positive reviews and 2,465 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

More Free Exploration Games

Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Exploration games available on Steam.

ImageName
Actions
skate. steam charts
71,753
9/16/2025
67
Free
Steam Charts
Dark and Darker steam charts
10,387
6/7/2024
64
Free
Steam Charts
Palia steam charts
9,632
3/25/2024
84
Free
Steam Charts
OBS Studio steam charts
9,627
3/21/2022
93
Free
Steam Charts
Wuthering Waves steam charts
7,331
4/28/2025
88
Free
Steam Charts
Guild Wars 2 steam charts
4,968
8/23/2022
87
Free
Steam Charts
RuneScape ® steam charts
3,535
10/14/2020
81
Free
Steam Charts
Infinity Nikki steam charts
3,161
4/28/2025
44
Free
Steam Charts
EVE Online steam charts
2,864
12/15/2010
73
Free
Steam Charts
Sky: Children of the Light steam charts
2,373
4/10/2024
85
Free
Steam Charts
Old School RuneScape steam charts
1,445
2/24/2021
81
Free
Steam Charts
Leaf Blower Revolution - Idle Game steam charts
1,087
12/4/2020
92
Free
Steam Charts
The Lord of the Rings Online™ steam charts
1,016
6/6/2012
80
Free
Steam Charts
Game of Thrones: Kingsroad steam charts
937
5/21/2025
61
Free
Steam Charts
GeoGuessr Steam Edition steam charts
825
5/8/2025
34
Free
Steam Charts
Trove steam charts
785
7/9/2015
79
Free
Steam Charts
SUPERVIVE steam charts
723
7/23/2025
84
Free
Steam Charts
Satisfactory Modeler steam charts
722
9/17/2024
92
Free
Steam Charts
ヘブンバーンズレッド steam charts
674
8/10/2022
60
Free
Steam Charts
Wizardry Variants Daphne steam charts
653
3/6/2025
53
Free
Steam Charts
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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, September 29). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, September 29). skate. on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, September 29). Dark and Darker on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, September 26). Palia on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, September 27). OBS Studio on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, September 26). Wuthering Waves on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, September 27). Guild Wars 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, August 17). RuneScape ® on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, September 29). Infinity Nikki on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, September 29). EVE Online on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, September 29). Sky: Children of the Light on Steam. Steam Store.

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