Free Exploration Games on Steam
Steam currently has 15,742 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 11/21/2024.
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. Cats
Cats — and that says it all. Interactive cat clicker. Click on cats for new cats. That's all, really.
Cats holds the #1 spot for "best free Exploration game on Steam" with a Player Score of 74. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,550 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,949 positive reviews and 601 negative reviews — making it "Mostly 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 | 5/21/2024 |
| Franchise | 100 Cozy Games |
| Developer | 100 Cozy Games |
| Publisher | 100 Cozy Games |
| Steam App Id | 2977660 |
2. 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 82, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 652 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 568 positive reviews and 84 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 |
3. 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 #3 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 28,875 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 27,553 positive reviews and 1,322 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 |
4. 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 70, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 55,265 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 39,180 positive reviews and 16,085 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).
5. 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 56, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 42,353 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 23,653 positive reviews and 18,700 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).
6. Brighter Shores
Brighter Shores is an all new adventure from award winning MMORPG designer Andrew Gower. It is an enchanting point-and-click style RPG with hundreds of hours of gameplay, set in a land of magic and mysteries, with a huge number of professions to try, and something new to find around every corner.
Brighter Shores has achieved a Player Score of 72, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,588 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,868 positive reviews and 1,720 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Release Date | 11/6/2024 |
| Developer | Fen Research Ltd |
| Publisher | Fen Research Ltd |
| Steam App Id | 2791440 |
7. 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 81, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 17,934 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 14,755 positive reviews and 3,179 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 |
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 84, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,996 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,465 positive reviews and 531 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. 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 #9 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 35,029 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 25,877 positive reviews and 9,152 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).
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 has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 9,118 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,644 positive reviews and 1,474 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.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21,099 | 5/21/2024 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 14,989 | 11/20/2024 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 14,575 | 3/21/2022 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 11,377 | 6/7/2024 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 8,363 | 5/18/2023 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 4,758 | 11/6/2024 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 4,024 | 3/25/2024 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,508 | 8/10/2022 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,349 | 12/16/2010 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,263 | 4/10/2024 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,769 | 11/12/2024 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,544 | 9/1/2024 | 57 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,302 | 8/23/2022 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,830 | 10/14/2020 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,735 | 12/4/2020 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,466 | 11/9/2022 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 831 | 2/1/2024 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 810 | 7/9/2015 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 790 | 4/5/2018 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 718 | 6/6/2012 | 80 | 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. (2024, November 21). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 21). Cats on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 21). SUPERVIVE on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 21). OBS Studio on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 21). Dark and Darker on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 14). Hero's Land on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 20). Brighter Shores on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 20). Palia on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 21). ヘブンバーンズレッド on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 20). EVE Online on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 20). Sky: Children of the Light on Steam. Steam Store.