Free Exploration Games on Steam
Steam currently has 18,105 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 5/13/2025.
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. 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 36,040 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 34,333 positive reviews and 1,707 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. 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 69, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 69,341 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 48,589 positive reviews and 20,752 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.
3. 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 87, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 9,015 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,085 positive reviews and 930 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 |
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 43,549 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 24,003 positive reviews and 19,546 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. 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 #5 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 17,087 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 14,948 positive reviews and 2,139 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 |
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 36,223 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 26,708 positive reviews and 9,515 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. 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 #7 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 21,290 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 18,920 positive reviews and 2,370 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).
8. ヘブンバーンズレッド
Key 麻枝 准が描く、最後の希望を託された少女たちの物語『ヘブンバーンズレッド （ヘブバン）』 フィールドを駆け回り、かけがえのない日常を体験しながら、命を賭した戦いに挑むドラマチックRPG！
ヘブンバーンズレッド has achieved a Player Score of 83, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,324 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,723 positive reviews and 601 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 ヘブンバーンズレッド on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 8/10/2022 |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | WFS, Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 1973710 |
9. GeoGuessr Steam Edition
Explore the world with GeoGuessr Steam Edition! Compete against others, climb divisions, and prove your geography skills. Travel to stunning locations, analyze clues, and make your best guess. Unranked Team Duels is unlimited Free-to-play, Solo Duels is subject to payment/subscription.
GeoGuessr Steam Edition has achieved a Player Score of 20, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,182 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 536 positive reviews and 2,646 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Negative" 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.
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 2,285 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,292 positive reviews and 993 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 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21,335 | 3/21/2022 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 12,816 | 6/7/2024 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 12,723 | 4/28/2025 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 6,670 | 5/18/2023 | 55 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 4,435 | 4/10/2024 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 4,020 | 12/16/2010 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,816 | 8/23/2022 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,739 | 8/10/2022 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,698 | 5/8/2025 | 20 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,688 | 9/1/2024 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,608 | 3/6/2025 | 52 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,358 | 4/28/2025 | 54 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,940 | 10/14/2020 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,919 | 12/4/2020 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,328 | 4/25/2025 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 955 | 11/9/2022 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 867 | 6/5/2021 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 847 | 6/6/2012 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 841 | 2/24/2021 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 835 | 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, May 13). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 13). OBS Studio on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 12). Dark and Darker on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 11). Wuthering Waves on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 12). Hero's Land on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 12). Sky: Children of the Light on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 8). EVE Online on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 9). Guild Wars 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 12). ヘブンバーンズレッド on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 13). GeoGuessr Steam Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 9). 江湖客栈-The Jianghu on Steam. Steam Store.