Free Investigation Games on Steam
Steam currently has 2,143 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 5/17/2024.
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. Machinika: Museum
Welcome to the Museum! Machinika Museum is a mystery game where you discover beautiful and mysterious machines of extra-terrestrial origins in an atmospheric galaxy-spanning 3D puzzle game. Will you be able to understand their stories and discover what happened to their previous owner?
Machinika: Museum holds the #1 spot for "best free Investigation game on Steam" with a Player Score of 87. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,997 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,828 positive reviews and 169 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.
| Steam Price | $7.99 |
| Release Date | 3/23/2021 |
| Developer | Littlefield Studio |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1507190 |
2. 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 has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 26,922 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 24,377 positive reviews and 2,545 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 |
3. 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 #3 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,379 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,773 positive reviews and 606 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 |
4. 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 82, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10,749 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,056 positive reviews and 1,693 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 |
5. 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 81, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 665 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 576 positive reviews and 89 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 |
6. 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 #6 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,529 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,822 positive reviews and 707 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 |
7. 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 #7 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,334 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,860 positive reviews and 474 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 |
8. 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 83, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,848 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,596 positive reviews and 252 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 |
9. 买个可乐饼吧！ - Buy a Croquette!
2012年3月，长野。智慧勇敢的女高中生青空千绪，竟面临着没有钱买可乐饼的重大危机！穿行在长野的大街小巷，和形形色色的角色互动，解决错综复杂的谜题，收集380円硬币，买个可乐饼吧！
买个可乐饼吧！ - Buy a Croquette! 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 472 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 468 positive reviews and 4 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 | 4/27/2024 |
| Developer | 越青 |
| Publisher | Eternal Dream |
| Steam App Id | 2167960 |
10. 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 90, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,111 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,938 positive reviews and 173 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 |
More Free Investigation Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Investigation games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1,219 | 3/23/2021 | 87 | $7.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 119 | 2/3/2017 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 93 | 9/30/2022 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 85 | 9/5/2020 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 77 | 5/5/2020 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 47 | 2/16/2021 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 35 | 11/24/2022 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 34 | 8/28/2020 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 31 | 4/27/2024 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 30 | 10/15/2019 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 23 | 6/12/2020 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 19 | 12/10/2021 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 17 | 10/19/2019 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 14 | 10/12/2019 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 14 | 6/15/2022 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 10 | 8/7/2023 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 8 | 10/17/2019 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 8 | 4/27/2016 | 55 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 7 | 3/15/2017 | 61 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 7 | 10/10/2019 | 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, May 17). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 17). Machinika: Museum on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 4). We Were Here on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 7). Escape Memoirs: Mini Stories on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 14). Escape Room - Der kranke Kollege on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 8). Adventure Escape Mysteries on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 17). Contraband Police: Prologue on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 6). Unsolved Case on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 16). Operation: Tango - Friend Pass on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 12). 买个可乐饼吧！ - Buy a Croquette! on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 10). Hello Neighbor Alpha 2 on Steam. Steam Store.