Free to Play Detective Games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play detective games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on July 15th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Explore the complete list of the best free to play detective games.
Lists & Categories
1. The Council
Experience a Narrative Adventure where your choices and character growth truly matter. As a member of a 1793 secret society, live a tale of intrigue and manipulation on the hunt for your missing mother. The Council is a game developed and published by . Released on March 13th 2018 has received 5,338 reviews of which 4,469 were positive and 869 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #1 spot among the most played detective games.
8.1
4,469
869
19
players
2. TEST TEST TEST
Escape a time loop as an overworked office employee by solving cryptic puzzles with alternate reality game elements. TEST TEST TEST is a game developed and published by . Released on January 17th 2024 has received 893 reviews of which 820 were positive and 73 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played detective games.
8.6
820
73
6
players
3. The Children of Clay
The Children of Clay is a short stop motion archeology horror game, where you have to study an ancient artefact and discover its dark secret. The Children of Clay is a game developed and published by . Released on March 07th 2025 has received 1,987 reviews of which 1,964 were positive and 23 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played detective games.
9.4
1,964
23
3
players
4. Prison Life
An online game that you'll play with 3-11 players as a Prisoner or a Guard and will try to escape or prevent escapes. Loot, Craft, and make your way to the exit, or investigate and arrest wanted players as a guard! Prison Life is a game developed and published by . Released on September 23rd 2022 has received 2,861 reviews of which 2,260 were positive and 601 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played detective games.
7.6
2,260
601
2
players
5. Nut City Blues
A comedy-mystery visual novel about Captain Fox, Detective Raccoon and the danger of pineapple pizza. Nut City Blues is a game developed and published by . Released on November 23rd 2023 has received 313 reviews of which 304 were positive and 9 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played detective games.
8.9
304
9
1
players
6. Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3
The Startling Developments Detective Agency springs into action as On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 begins, set in motion by a call from a mysterious source. The ever escalating perils on the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness will season our tender heroes to their very core! Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 is a game developed and published by . Released on June 25th 2012 has received 583 reviews of which 497 were positive and 86 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played detective games.
8.0
497
86
1
players
7. Inworld Origins
Origins is a playable short created by the team at Inworld AI to showcase NPCs powered by artificial intelligence. After an explosion in Metropolis, you’ve arrived on the scene as the lead detective. Question witnesses, uncover the mystery, and solve the case. From the creator of The Matrix Awakens. Inworld Origins is a game developed and published by . Released on July 27th 2023 has received 349 reviews of which 247 were positive and 102 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played detective games.
6.7
247
102
1
players
8. Kid,napper: Gosh, I'm Kidnapped by a Pupil
I had to admit, the only thing that is more scary than a murder weapon, is that girl, who is not even supposed to hold it Kid,napper: Gosh, I'm Kidnapped by a Pupil is a game developed and published by . Released on May 31st 2018 has received 4,396 reviews of which 3,887 were positive and 509 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played detective games.
8.5
3,887
509
9. The Monster Inside
A film noir style audio-visual novella. A mysterious woman... a string of murders... and a man with a hidden past. The Monster Inside is a game developed and published by . Released on August 01st 2017 has received 1,970 reviews of which 1,726 were positive and 244 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played detective games.
8.4
1,726
244
10. Remove: 범죄는 흔적을 남긴다
Let’s recall the memory before the accident and erase the traces of your crime. Remove: 범죄는 흔적을 남긴다 is a game developed and published by . Released on December 15th 2023 has received 306 reviews of which 266 were positive and 40 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played detective games.
8.0
266
40