Best Detective Games on Steam
Steam currently has 2,079 Detective games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Detective game rankings were last updated on 4/14/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Free detective games on Steam
- Best detective Steam Deck games
- Best detective Linux games on Steam
- Best detective Steam games for Mac OS
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. The Wolf Among Us
From the makers of the 2012 Game of the Year: The Walking Dead, comes a thriller based on the award-winning Fables comic books. As Bigby Wolf you will discover that a brutal, bloody murder is just a taste of things to come in a game series where your every decision can have enormous consequences.
The Wolf Among Us holds the #1 spot for "best Detective game on Steam" with a Player Score of 96. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 32,921 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 32,197 positive reviews and 724 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play The Wolf Among Us on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
2. Chants of Sennaar
Legend says that one day, a traveler will reunite the Peoples of the Tower who are unable to communicate with each other. Observe, listen, and decipher ancient languages in a fascinating universe inspired by the myth of Babel.
Chants of Sennaar has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 12,809 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 12,613 positive reviews and 196 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 9/5/2023 |
| Franchise | Focus Entertainment |
| Developer | Rundisc |
| Publisher | Focus Entertainment |
| Steam App Id | 1931770 |
3. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Become Phoenix Wright and experience the thrill of battle as you fight to save your innocent clients in a court of law. Play all 14 episodes, spanning the first three games, in one gorgeous collection.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 28,992 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 28,297 positive reviews and 695 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.89 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $9.89 |
| Release Date | 4/9/2019 |
| Developer | CAPCOM Co., Ltd. |
| Publisher | CAPCOM Co., Ltd. |
| Steam App Id | 787480 |
4. Persona 4 Golden
A coming of age story that sets the protagonist and his friends on a journey kickstarted by a chain of serial murders.
Persona 4 Golden has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 68,938 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 66,907 positive reviews and 2,031 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
5. Persona 5 Royal
Don the mask and join the Phantom Thieves of Hearts as they stage grand heists, infiltrate the minds of the corrupt, and make them change their ways!
Persona 5 Royal has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 66,496 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 64,414 positive reviews and 2,082 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $59.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
6. Phasmophobia
Phasmophobia is a 4 player online co-op psychological horror. Paranormal activity is on the rise and it’s up to you and your team to use all the ghost-hunting equipment at your disposal in order to gather as much evidence as you can.
Phasmophobia has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 673,517 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 646,604 positive reviews and 26,913 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $13.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $13.99 |
| Release Date | 9/18/2020 |
| Developer | Kinetic Games |
| Publisher | Kinetic Games |
| Steam App Id | 739630 |
7. The Case of the Golden Idol
A new kind of detective game that allows you to think and investigate freely. Discover clues surrounding 12 strange and gruesome deaths and build your own theory. Pick your suspect, deduce the motive, unmask the awful truth.
The Case of the Golden Idol has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,127 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,044 positive reviews and 83 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $10.79 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play The Case of the Golden Idol on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $10.79 |
| Release Date | 10/13/2022 |
| Franchise | Playstack |
| Developer | Color Gray Games |
| Publisher | Playstack |
| Steam App Id | 1677770 |
8. The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog...was murdered!? Get to the bottom of the mystery in this brand-new adventure!
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 20,676 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 20,134 positive reviews and 542 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
9. Cube Escape Collection
In this classic point-and-click adventure anthology you follow the path of Dale and Laura and other famous Rusty lake characters such as Mr. Crow and Mr. Owl. The series will be updated, preserved and bundled to survive the end of the Flash Games era.
Cube Escape Collection has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,850 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,753 positive reviews and 97 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 10/14/2020 |
| Franchise | Rusty Lake |
| Developer | Rusty Lake |
| Publisher | Rusty Lake |
| Steam App Id | 1292940 |
10. Murders on the Yangtze River
"Murders on Yangtze River" is an Ace Attorney-like detective game that takes you on a journey through early 20th century China as you solve a series of intriguing cases. Use your logical reasoning and deduction skills to uncover clues, interrogate suspects, and solve the mysteries.
Murders on the Yangtze River has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Detective games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10,542 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,291 positive reviews and 251 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Murders on the Yangtze River on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 1/30/2024 |
| Developer | OMEGAMES STUDIO |
| Publisher | OMEGAMES STUDIO |
| Steam App Id | 1746030 |
More Detective Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Detective games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 85 | 10/11/2013 | 96 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 71 | 9/5/2023 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,907 | 4/9/2019 | 95 | $9.89 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,549 | 6/13/2020 | 95 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 14,678 | 10/20/2022 | 95 | $59.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 12,197 | 9/18/2020 | 95 | $13.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 95 | 10/13/2022 | 95 | $10.79 | Steam Charts | |
 | 30 | 3/31/2023 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 165 | 10/14/2020 | 95 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 543 | 1/30/2024 | 95 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 2/24/2020 | 95 | $1.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 372 | 3/26/2010 | 95 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 84 | 10/18/2018 | 95 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 7 | 8/14/2021 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 101 | 9/20/2018 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 10/12/2020 | 94 | $1.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 643 | 9/7/2012 | 94 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 4/27/2020 | 94 | $1.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 166 | 3/28/2019 | 94 | $6.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 361 | 4/18/2016 | 94 | $19.99 | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews 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, April 14). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 14). The Wolf Among Us on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 16). Chants of Sennaar on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 27). Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 17). Persona 4 Golden on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 7). Persona 5 Royal on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 7). Phasmophobia on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 2). The Case of the Golden Idol on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 5). The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 27). Cube Escape Collection on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 7). Murders on the Yangtze River on Steam. Steam Store.