Free Exploration Games on Steam
Steam currently has 16,877 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 2/14/2025.
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 63,828 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 45,459 positive reviews and 18,369 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 Dark and Darker on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
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 32,531 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 31,001 positive reviews and 1,530 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. 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 #3 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 42,864 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 23,716 positive reviews and 19,148 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).
4. 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 #4 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 15,572 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 13,659 positive reviews and 1,913 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 |
5. 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 #5 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 24,882 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 20,558 positive reviews and 4,324 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).
6. Leaf Blower Revolution - Idle Game
Blow leaves, upgrade your gear, and automate your progress as you explore the Leaf Universe. A satisfying incremental idle game where every leaf blown brings you closer to the next big upgrade. Simple, relaxing, and endlessly rewarding. Let the leaves fall, and your progress rise!
Leaf Blower Revolution - Idle Game has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 24,722 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 23,344 positive reviews and 1,378 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 Leaf Blower Revolution - Idle Game on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 12/4/2020 |
| Developer | Humble North |
| Publisher | Humble North |
| Steam App Id | 1468260 |
7. SUPERVIVE
MOBA BR MEETS HERO SHOOTER. Jump, glide, shoot, punch, bounce, nuke, spike your enemies in this free-flowing, chaotic battleground in the sky. Face off in all-out, multi-squad teamfights, take down boss monsters for big loot, get that W and run it back.
SUPERVIVE has achieved a Player Score of 88, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 15,005 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 13,542 positive reviews and 1,463 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 | 11/20/2024 |
| Developer | Theorycraft Games |
| Publisher | Theorycraft Games |
| Steam App Id | 1283700 |
8. The Lord of the Rings Online™
Join the world’s greatest fellowship of players in the award-winning online re-creation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s legendary Middle-earth.
The Lord of the Rings Online™ has achieved a Player Score of 80, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 20,444 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 16,677 positive reviews and 3,767 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 The Lord of the Rings Online™ on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 6/6/2012 |
| Franchise | Daybreak Game Company |
| Developer | Standing Stone Games, LLC |
| Publisher | Standing Stone Games, LLC |
| Steam App Id | 212500 |
9. 100 Romantic Cats
🐾 Join the cutest adventure in themed locations full of cats! 😻 Explore the charming hand-drawn artwork of special places and try to find 100 adorable cats hidden throughout the game. 🐈🕵️♂️ Can you find them all? 🕵️♂️🐈
100 Romantic Cats has achieved a Player Score of 85, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 177 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 168 positive reviews and 9 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 | 2/13/2025 |
| Franchise | 100 Cozy Games |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2827560 |
10. 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 84, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,202 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,642 positive reviews and 560 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 |
More Free Exploration Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Exploration games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9,118 | 6/7/2024 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 9,057 | 3/21/2022 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,224 | 5/18/2023 | 55 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,430 | 4/10/2024 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,332 | 10/14/2020 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,225 | 12/4/2020 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,092 | 11/20/2024 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,028 | 6/6/2012 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 949 | 2/13/2025 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 891 | 8/10/2022 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 853 | 11/6/2024 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 448 | 11/9/2022 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 417 | 6/5/2021 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 382 | 2/1/2024 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 370 | 2/24/2021 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 369 | 7/9/2015 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 357 | 11/12/2024 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 352 | 5/21/2024 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 338 | 4/2/2021 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 333 | 1/21/2025 | 62 | 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, February 14). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 14). Dark and Darker on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 15). OBS Studio on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 13). Hero's Land on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 15). Sky: Children of the Light on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 12). RuneScape ® on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 17). Leaf Blower Revolution - Idle Game on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 15). SUPERVIVE on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 22). The Lord of the Rings Online™ on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 18). 100 Romantic Cats on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 18). ヘブンバーンズレッド on Steam. Steam Store.