Free Exploration Games on Steam
Steam currently has 22,549 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 2/22/2026.
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. Where Winds Meet
Where Winds Meet is an epic Wuxia open-world action-adventure RPG set in ancient China at the tenth century. Players will assume the role of a young sword master as they embark on a journey to uncover the mysteries of their own identity. Let the wind carry your legend on an epic journey to the East!
Where Winds Meet holds the #1 spot for "best free Exploration game on Steam" with a Player Score of 86. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 101,273 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 88,664 positive reviews and 12,609 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 Where Winds Meet on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 11/14/2025 |
| Developer | Everstone Studio |
| Publisher | NetEase Games |
| Steam App Id | 3564740 |
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 47,923 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 45,631 positive reviews and 2,292 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. 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 88, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 41,063 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 36,857 positive reviews and 4,206 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 |
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 64, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 80,674 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 52,097 positive reviews and 28,577 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.
5. 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 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 39,439 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 34,020 positive reviews and 5,419 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 |
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® 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 26,541 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 23,529 positive reviews and 3,012 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).
7. EVE Online
Over 20 years of legendary space battles! Explore a massive living universe of danger and opportunity in a challenging and highly rewarding space adventure. Fight, trade, build, and connect with a universe driven and shaped directly by players.
EVE Online has achieved a Player Score of 73, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 38,172 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 28,077 positive reviews and 10,095 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).
8. 100 Space Cats
👨🚀🌌Join the cutest space adventure with Cats in Space! 🪐🚀 Explore charming hand-drawn space locations and adorable cosmo-cats on a quest to find 100 hidden kitties. 🕵️♂️❌ Can you find them all? 🕵️♂️🐈✅
100 Space Cats has achieved a Player Score of 67, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,229 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 855 positive reviews and 374 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play 100 Space Cats on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 6/16/2024 |
| Franchise | 100 Cozy Games |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | 100 Cozy Games |
| Steam App Id | 2854290 |
9. 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 #9 spot for the best free Exploration games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 26,480 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 21,844 positive reviews and 4,636 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).
10. Sky: Children of the Light
A breathtaking open-world adventure awaits! Explore magical realms, restore lost light, and form wordless bonds with players worldwide. Complete quests and solve puzzles in seasonal events that celebrate kindness, discovery, and heartfelt connection.
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 22,121 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 19,319 positive reviews and 2,802 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 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28,565 | 11/14/2025 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 12,573 | 3/21/2022 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 9,410 | 4/28/2025 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 7,407 | 6/7/2024 | 64 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 5,883 | 3/25/2024 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 4,840 | 8/23/2022 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,612 | 12/15/2010 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,129 | 6/16/2024 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,766 | 10/14/2020 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,567 | 4/10/2024 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,427 | 3/6/2025 | 57 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,298 | 10/21/2025 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,161 | 9/16/2025 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,888 | 5/18/2023 | 54 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,787 | 8/10/2022 | 60 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,527 | 2/24/2021 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,458 | 5/8/2025 | 64 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,218 | 4/28/2025 | 54 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 950 | 1/19/2026 | 64 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 914 | 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. (2026, February 22). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, February 22). Where Winds Meet on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, February 21). OBS Studio on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, February 5). Wuthering Waves on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, February 20). Dark and Darker on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, February 19). Palia on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, February 18). Guild Wars 2® on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, February 20). EVE Online on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 1). 100 Space Cats on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 19). RuneScape ® on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, February 22). Sky: Children of the Light on Steam. Steam Store.