Free Investigation Games on Steam
Steam currently has 2,556 Investigation 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 Investigation game rankings were last updated on 11/6/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best investigation games on Steam
- Best investigation Steam Deck games
- Best investigation Steam games for Mac OS
- Best investigation Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. We Were Here
Lost in a frozen wasteland and split up from your partner inside an abandoned castle, the only possession you have left is a walkie-talkie with a familiar voice on the other end. Can the two of you find your way out in time?
We Were Here holds the #1 spot for "best free Investigation game on Steam" with a Player Score of 89. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 28,488 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 25,787 positive reviews and 2,701 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 not possible to play or run We Were Here on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 2/3/2017 |
| Franchise | Total Mayhem Games |
| Developer | Total Mayhem Games |
| Publisher | Total Mayhem Games |
| Steam App Id | 582500 |
2. Adventure Escape Mysteries
Experience the unique puzzles and critically-acclaimed stories enjoyed by tens of millions of players. Investigate cryptic clues, unravel a mystery, and solve puzzles in beautifully illustrated adventures!
Adventure Escape Mysteries has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 793 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 689 positive reviews and 104 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 Adventure Escape Mysteries on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 5/5/2020 |
| Developer | Haiku Games Co |
| Publisher | Haiku Games Co |
| Steam App Id | 1141020 |
3. Contraband Police: Prologue
Take over the duties of a border guard inspector in a communist country of the 80's. Smuggling, corruption and forgery are the order of the day here. Be vigilant and earn the respect of your superiors.
Contraband Police: Prologue has achieved a Player Score of 86, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,896 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,134 positive reviews and 762 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 Contraband Police: Prologue on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 2/16/2021 |
| Developer | Crazy Rocks |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1396240 |
4. METRIA
The starlight is our hope, an RPG where hope and sin collide.
METRIA has achieved a Player Score of 61, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 72 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 47 positive reviews and 25 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" 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 | 11/12/2024 |
| Developer | Asobimo, Inc. |
| Publisher | Asobimo, Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 3017110 |
5. Unsolved Case
A new lead turns up old doubts about an 'Unsolved Case'. A trap, or a copycat killer? In this co-op puzzle game prequel to the award-winning Cryptic Killer series, put on your detective badges as you collaborate and communicate to crack the codes, solve the riddles, and catch the Cryptic Killer.
Unsolved Case has achieved a Player Score of 86, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,944 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,396 positive reviews and 548 negative reviews — making it "Very 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 | 11/24/2022 |
| Franchise | Eleven Puzzles |
| Developer | Eleven Puzzles |
| Publisher | Eleven Puzzles |
| Steam App Id | 2084050 |
6. Escape Memoirs: Mini Stories
"Escape Memoirs: Mini Stories" is a series of co-operative escape-room style puzzle scenarios. Each one is sure to test your wits as you try to overcome the challenges that stand in the way of your escape.
Escape Memoirs: Mini Stories has achieved a Player Score of 83, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,963 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,239 positive reviews and 724 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 Escape Memoirs: Mini Stories on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 9/30/2022 |
| Franchise | 0 Deer Soft |
| Developer | 0 Deer Soft |
| Publisher | 0 Deer Soft Partnership |
| Steam App Id | 2098350 |
7. Escape Room - Der kranke Kollege
You only wanted to make a visit to your sick colleague, but what you encounter is beyond your imagination. Discover the secrets of your colleague and find a way to escape the trap.
Escape Room - Der kranke Kollege has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 11,559 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,541 positive reviews and 2,018 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 Escape Room - Der kranke Kollege on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 9/5/2020 |
| Developer | Bitbeast Games |
| Publisher | Bitbeast Games |
| Steam App Id | 1301720 |
8. Hello Neighbor Alpha 4
Alpha 4 of Hello Neighbor was the final alpha during the stealth hit's development. Sneak into your creepy Neighbor's house to figure out what he's hiding.
Hello Neighbor Alpha 4 has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,465 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,800 positive reviews and 665 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 Hello Neighbor Alpha 4 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 10/19/2019 |
| Franchise | Hello Neighbor Game |
| Developer | Dynamic Pixels |
| Publisher | tinyBuild |
| Steam App Id | 1096710 |
9. Hello Neighbor Alpha 2
Welcome to Alpha 2 of Hello Neighbor. Play against an advanced, self-learning AI in what eventually became Act 1 of Hello Neighbor - the stealth horror home invasion sim.
Hello Neighbor Alpha 2 has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,482 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,294 positive reviews and 188 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 Hello Neighbor Alpha 2 on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 10/15/2019 |
| Franchise | Hello Neighbor Game |
| Developer | Dynamic Pixels |
| Publisher | tinyBuild |
| Steam App Id | 1092720 |
10. Operation: Tango - Friend Pass
Download the Friend Pass and play for free with a friend who owns the full Operation: Tango game. It takes two to save the world, but it only takes one to pay for it.
Operation: Tango - Friend Pass has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,994 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,716 positive reviews and 278 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 Operation: Tango - Friend Pass on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 8/28/2020 |
| Developer | Clever Plays |
| Publisher | Clever Plays |
| Steam App Id | 1377150 |
More Free Investigation Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Investigation games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 164 | 2/3/2017 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 159 | 5/5/2020 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 79 | 2/16/2021 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 74 | 11/12/2024 | 61 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 62 | 11/24/2022 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 54 | 9/30/2022 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 46 | 9/5/2020 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 40 | 10/19/2019 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 40 | 10/15/2019 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 39 | 8/28/2020 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 37 | 10/25/2024 | 59 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 36 | 7/23/2020 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 36 | 4/27/2024 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 25 | 10/12/2019 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 23 | 4/27/2016 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 19 | 6/14/2022 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 17 | 10/17/2019 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 16 | 12/29/2020 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 15 | 3/15/2017 | 60 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 13 | 1/31/2023 | 86 | 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 6). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 6). We Were Here on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 20). Adventure Escape Mysteries on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 13). Contraband Police: Prologue on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 21). METRIA on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 17). Unsolved Case on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 5). Escape Memoirs: Mini Stories on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 17). Escape Room - Der kranke Kollege on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 7). Hello Neighbor Alpha 4 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 7). Hello Neighbor Alpha 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 17). Operation: Tango - Friend Pass on Steam. Steam Store.