Free Exploration Games on Steam
Steam currently has 17,672 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 4/13/2025.
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. 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 holds the #1 spot for "best free Exploration game on Steam" with a Player Score of 70. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 67,152 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 47,253 positive reviews and 19,899 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" 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.
2. OBS Studio
Free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming
OBS Studio has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 34,966 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 33,313 positive reviews and 1,653 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 |
3. Palia
Palia is a vibrant new world made just for you. Craft, cook, fish, and farm with friends as you live the life of your dreams and discover an enchanting adventure filled with colorful characters and a mystery to unravel.
Palia has achieved a Player Score of 83, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 26,327 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 22,360 positive reviews and 3,967 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. 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 #4 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 20,953 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 18,630 positive reviews and 2,323 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).
5. 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 #5 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 35,999 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 26,536 positive reviews and 9,463 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).
6. 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 #6 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 43,313 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 23,912 positive reviews and 19,401 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).
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 86, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 16,465 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 14,420 positive reviews and 2,045 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. 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.
RuneScape ® has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 25,071 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 20,717 positive reviews and 4,354 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).
9. ENA: Dream BBQ
Experience surreal environments and inexplicable characters as ENA in a new wild world.
ENA: Dream BBQ has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 15,560 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 15,392 positive reviews and 168 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It 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.
10. Wizardry Variants Daphne
3D Dungeon RPG The portal of despair opens again. The labyrinth calls you to destruction. Revel in the endless dangers, relish the risk, devour the rewards. Savor the risk.
Wizardry Variants Daphne has achieved a Player Score of 50, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,519 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 761 positive reviews and 758 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Wizardry Variants Daphne on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 3/6/2025 |
| Franchise | Wizardry Official |
| Developer | Drecom Co., Ltd. |
| Publisher | Drecom Co., Ltd. |
| Steam App Id | 2379740 |
More Free Exploration Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Exploration games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12,997 | 6/7/2024 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 8,930 | 3/21/2022 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,937 | 3/25/2024 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,454 | 8/23/2022 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,052 | 12/16/2010 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,791 | 5/18/2023 | 55 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,422 | 4/10/2024 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,328 | 10/14/2020 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,913 | 3/27/2025 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,445 | 3/6/2025 | 50 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,442 | 12/4/2020 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,309 | 11/20/2024 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,281 | 8/10/2022 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,063 | 6/6/2012 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,060 | 2/24/2021 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,044 | 9/1/2024 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 946 | 6/5/2021 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 707 | 11/9/2022 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 675 | 7/9/2015 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 577 | 9/17/2024 | 91 | 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, April 13). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 13). Dark and Darker on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 10). OBS Studio on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 11). Palia on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 8). Guild Wars 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 7). EVE Online on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 11). Hero's Land on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 8). Sky: Children of the Light on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 24). RuneScape ® on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 13). ENA: Dream BBQ on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 14). Wizardry Variants Daphne on Steam. Steam Store.