Free Investigation Games on Steam
Steam currently has 3,438 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 11/28/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best investigation games on Steam
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- 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 88. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 31,109 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 27,963 positive reviews and 3,146 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 We Were Here on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 2/3/2017 |
| Franchise | Total Mayhem Games |
| Developer | Total Mayhem Games |
| Publisher | Total Mayhem Games |
| Steam App Id | 582500 |
2. Buy a Croquette!
March 2012, Nagano. The brave and clever high school girl, Chio Aozora, is facing a major crisis: she doesn’t have enough money to buy a croquette! Navigate through the streets and alleys of Nagano, interact with a variety of characters, solve complex puzzles, collect 380 yen, and buy a croquette!
Buy a Croquette! has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,208 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,132 positive reviews and 76 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Buy a Croquette! on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 4/27/2024 |
| Developer | 越青 |
| Publisher | Eternal Dream |
| Steam App Id | 2167960 |
3. Adventure Escape Mysteries
Play a story-driven room escape game with unique puzzles enjoyed by tens of millions of players. Solve mysteries, puzzle through escape rooms, and find the clue that will crack the case in a critically acclaimed puzzle adventure game!
Adventure Escape Mysteries has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,041 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 900 positive reviews and 141 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 |
4. 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 87, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 7,406 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,607 positive reviews and 799 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 |
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 82, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,707 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,801 positive reviews and 906 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 |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2098350 |
7. 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 81, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,552 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,656 positive reviews and 896 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 |
8. Hello Neighbor 2 Alpha 1.5
Hello Neighbor 2 is a Stealth Horror Game where you’re being stalked by a mysterious creature as you try to track down Mr. Peterson (The Neighbor) who has disappeared after the events of the first game. Play against an advanced, self-learning AI that tracks and adapts to your every move.
Hello Neighbor 2 Alpha 1.5 has achieved a Player Score of 84, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,081 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,278 positive reviews and 803 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 2 Alpha 1.5 on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 7/23/2020 |
| Franchise | Hello Neighbor Game |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | tinyBuild |
| Steam App Id | 1364960 |
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 91, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Investigation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,267 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,034 positive reviews and 233 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 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 166 | 2/3/2017 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 105 | 4/27/2024 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 99 | 5/5/2020 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 73 | 2/16/2021 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 71 | 7/28/2025 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 49 | 9/30/2022 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 45 | 10/19/2019 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 37 | 7/23/2020 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 35 | 10/15/2024 | 50 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 33 | 10/15/2019 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 22 | 11/24/2022 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 22 | 4/27/2016 | 58 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 17 | 10/17/2019 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 14 | 10/12/2019 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 13 | 8/28/2020 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 13 | 9/5/2020 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 10 | 6/14/2022 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 8 | 10/10/2019 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6 | 10/30/2021 | 62 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6 | 12/3/2025 | 67 | 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, November 28). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 28). We Were Here on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 25). Buy a Croquette! on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 15). Adventure Escape Mysteries on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 18). Contraband Police: Prologue on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 3). Sherlock: Hidden Object & Match-3 Mystery on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 30). Escape Memoirs: Mini Stories on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 26). Hello Neighbor Alpha 4 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 26). Hello Neighbor 2 Alpha 1.5 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 4). Mystery Manor: hidden objects on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 3). Hello Neighbor Alpha 2 on Steam. Steam Store.