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 September 13th 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
13
players
2. 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 2,878 reviews of which 2,268 were positive and 610 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played detective games.
7.6
2,268
610
13
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 2,480 reviews of which 2,449 were positive and 31 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
2,449
31
8
players
4. 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 921 reviews of which 843 were positive and 78 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played detective games.
8.6
843
78
2
players
5. 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 #5 spot among the most played detective games.
8.0
497
86
1
players
6. 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 333 reviews of which 324 were positive and 9 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played detective games.
8.9
324
9
7. 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 #7 spot among the most played detective games.
8.5
3,887
509
8. 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 #8 spot among the most played detective games.
8.4
1,726
244
9. 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 319 reviews of which 279 were positive and 40 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played detective games.
8.1
279
40
10. The Mildew Children: Chapter 1
Featuring a blend of 2D adventure and visual novel. Chapter 1 is the very beginning of the grim tale about a village inhabited only by children who follow savage pagan traditions. A young witch Kyrphel, along with her sisters, are bound to perform a macabre Ritual in order to save their village. The Mildew Children: Chapter 1 is a game developed and published by . Released on October 17th 2023 has received 316 reviews of which 271 were positive and 45 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played detective games.
7.9
271
45
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