Best Exploration Games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated exploration games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free exploration games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Slice of Sea
Slice of Sea is a peaceful adventure and puzzle game. You play as Seaweed, a sea creature clearly out of their element. Explore desolate world of dust, all hand-drawn on paper in unique art style. Collect items, solve puzzles and lead Seaweed back home to the sea.
Epic Chef
Get ready to embark on a comedic culinary quest unlike any other as you take on the role of Zest in this story-driven adventure game; from humble beginnings you will build a farm, grow delectable ingredients, craft machinery and cook your way to becoming the most Epic Chef in Ambrosia!
Ship Graveyard Simulator
Visit the largest ship graveyard in the world. A dozen kilometers of beach filled with wrecks. Hundreds of ships wrecked on the coast. Thousands of tons of steel. Choose the most valuable ship for you and start the adventure. Play as one of the workers during the most dangerous work in the world!
FINAL FANTASY V
The original FINAL FANTASY V comes to life with completely new graphics and audio as a 2D pixel remaster! A remodeled take on the fifth game in the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series! Enjoy the timeless story told through charming retro graphics.
Among Trees
Escape to an enchanting, living sandbox surrounded by wildlife and nature. Scavenge materials and craft tools to turn your small cabin into a warm, well-supplied home. Survive by fishing, cooking and growing your own food. Be careful though, the forest is as dangerous as it is wonderful.
Forza Horizon 5
Explore the vibrant open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in the world’s greatest cars.
TramSim Munich - The Tram Simulator
Discover with TramSim Munich a new city with numerous landmarks as well as the low-floor tram model R2.2.b! Transport your passengers on three detailed tram lines in full length through the centre of the Bavarian capital.
Demon Turf: Queens Edition
The ultimate version of the 3D Platformer with attitude! Join Beebz on three seperate adventures to ultimately claim the Demon Queen title! Jump, spin and punch your way across the turfs with this Expressive Platformer!
Time Loader
Time Loader is a story-driven puzzle-platformer with tiny robots, alternate realities, nostalgic music, and primitive tech from the 90s!
Flesh Water
This is your last day as a worker for a pet feeding service, and depending on how the day goes, your life. Prepare the final meal for a client's odd pet that lives in an abandoned pool all while trying to make it out safely and avoid mistakes.
Dahlia View
Sometimes it takes a nightmare to wake a place like Dahlia View. Lead the investigation into a missing child and discover the dark secret of Dahlia View in this story-driven observational thriller from the creators of The Occupation and Ether One.![[Chilla's Art] The Radio Station | 深夜放送](https://shared.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/1744910/header.jpg)
[Chilla's Art] The Radio Station | 深夜放送
The Radio Station | 深夜放送 is a Japanese psychological horror game.
Hypnagogia 無限の夢 Boundless Dreams
Meet colorful characters, discover mysterious secrets, and reassemble the fractured remains of an ethereal crystal as you explore a series of abstract worlds based on dreams, nightmares, and the places in between.
Laptop Tycoon
Welcome to Laptop Tycoon!Compete with the tech giants! You will have the opportunity to show your skills in business management. Start your own laptop company! Choose and hire the best people for your company, buy and upgrade your own office and start building your dream laptop.
Horror Story: Hallowseed
Horror Story: Hallowseed is a story-driven psychological horror game. An obscure event causes two of your friends to disappear while you were camping in the woods. Left alone and stranded in an unknown place, you need to seek the answers about what happened, face the horror and find your friends.
Subway Midnight
Board the train! Run away from a weirdo! Solve some puzzles! Make friends with some ghosts! Try not to become a ghost yourself!
The Smurfs - Mission Vileaf
Go on an adventure to save your forest! Gargamel, the evil sorcerer just created the VILEAF, a plant that has the ability to attract and capture the Smurfs... but it's also TOXIC! Embody 4 iconic Smurfs and heal the plants on your way to Gargamel's hovel: the whole forest depends on you!
Kathy Rain: Director's Cut
The award-winning point-and-click adventure returns in the Director's Cut with an extended story, additional puzzles, and new areas to explore. Witness the rise of an iconic detective as you uncover a dark and sinister truth hiding behind the calm exterior of a small rural town.
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
Fire up a wild ride across the cosmos with a fresh take on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. In this action-adventure game, you are Star-Lord leading the unpredictable Guardians from one explosion of chaos to the next. You got this. Probably.
Hourglass
In Hourglass you can create a time-clone of yourself to solve challenging puzzles. You will play as Aywa, a young adventurer who is traveling to Egypt to find her missing father - an archeologist, who never returned from his latest expedition.
Honkai Impact 3rd
Honkai Impact 3rd - Ultimate anime action made real! HD cel-shading, infinite combos, explosive feedback... Experience next-gen real-time action! An original tale told across media, immersive stage events, star-studded voice cast... Become part of the legend!
Adorable Witch 2
Adorable Witch 2 is a casual strategy game, how to avoid the devil and guide the direction of the water drops is the key to this game.Most played exploration games on Steam
Take a look at the top exploration games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of May 09th 2025.
1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Lead the members of Expedition 33 on their quest to destroy the Paintress so that she can never paint death again. Explore a world of wonders inspired by Belle Époque France and battle unique enemies in this turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based combat, story rich and fantasy game developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive. Released on April 24th 2025 has received 44,851 reviews of which 41,974 were positive and 2,877 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played exploration game, thanks to its 70,266 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.2
41,974
2,877
70,266
players
2. Fallout 4
Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, welcome you to the world of Fallout 4 – their most ambitious game ever, and the next generation of open-world gaming. Fallout 4 is a open world, post-apocalyptic and singleplayer game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. Released on November 09th 2015 has received 390,844 reviews of which 324,739 were positive and 66,105 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. While seeing 11,787 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among exploration games based on player count.
8.2
324,739
66,105
11,787
players
3. Blue Prince
Welcome to Mt. Holly, where every dawn unveils a new mystery. Navigate through shifting corridors and ever-changing chambers in this genre-defying strategy puzzle adventure. But will your unpredictable path lead you to the rumored Room 46? Blue Prince is a puzzle, exploration and mystery game developed by Dogubomb and published by Raw Fury. Released on April 10th 2025 has received 6,038 reviews of which 5,200 were positive and 838 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. While seeing 8,092 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among exploration games based on player count.
8.4
5,200
838
8,092
players
4. Disney Dreamlight Valley
Explore a world filled with the magic of Disney as you discover rich stories and build the perfect neighborhood alongside Disney and Pixar heroes and villains in this new life-sim adventure game. Welcome to Disney Dreamlight Valley. Disney Dreamlight Valley is a relaxing, life sim and character customization game developed and published by Gameloft. Released on December 05th 2023 has received 20,524 reviews of which 18,859 were positive and 1,665 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 5,615 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played exploration games.
9.0
18,859
1,665
5,615
players
5. No Man's Sky
No Man's Sky is a game about exploration and survival in an infinite procedurally generated universe. No Man's Sky is a open world, open world survival craft and space game developed and published by Hello Games. Released on August 12th 2016 has received 350,705 reviews of which 291,246 were positive and 59,459 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. With 5,215 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played exploration games.
8.2
291,246
59,459
5,215
players
6. Elite Dangerous
Take control of your own starship in a cutthroat galaxy. Elite Dangerous is the definitive massively multiplayer space epic. Elite Dangerous is a space sim, space and open world game developed and published by Frontier Developments. Released on April 02nd 2015 has received 99,505 reviews of which 76,954 were positive and 22,551 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. With 5,171 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played exploration games.
7.7
76,954
22,551
5,171
players
7. Lords of the Fallen
A vast world awaits in the medieval, dark fantasy action-RPG, Lords of the Fallen. As a fabled Dark Crusader, embark on an epic quest to overthrow Adyr, the demon God. The definitive Version 2.0 out now: features Shared Progression Co-op & Free Friend’s Pass. Lords of the Fallen is a souls-like, exploration and combat game developed and published by CI Games. Released on October 13th 2023 has received 40,294 reviews of which 26,659 were positive and 13,635 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. With 3,055 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played exploration games.
6.6
26,659
13,635
3,055
players
8. The Long Dark
THE LONG DARK is a thoughtful, exploration-survival experience that challenges solo players to think for themselves as they explore an expansive frozen wilderness in the aftermath of a geomagnetic disaster. There are no zombies -- only you, the cold, and all the threats Mother Nature can muster. The Long Dark is a survival, open world survival craft and open world game developed and published by Hinterland Studio Inc.. Released on August 01st 2017 has received 111,358 reviews of which 100,856 were positive and 10,502 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 3,025 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played exploration games.
8.9
100,856
10,502
3,025
players
9. Rain World
You are a nomadic slugcat, both predator and prey in a broken ecosystem. Grab your spear and brave the industrial wastes, hunting enough food to survive, but be wary— other, bigger creatures have the same plan... and slugcats look delicious. Rain World is a difficult, atmospheric and survival game developed by Videocult and published by Akupara Games. Released on March 28th 2017 has received 41,499 reviews of which 39,052 were positive and 2,447 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 1,144 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played exploration games.
9.2
39,052
2,447
1,144
players
10. DREDGE
DREDGE is a single-player fishing adventure with a sinister undercurrent. Sell your catch, upgrade your boat, and dredge the depths for long-buried secrets. Explore a mysterious archipelago and discover why some things are best left forgotten. DREDGE is a exploration, fishing and lovecraftian game developed by Black Salt Games and published by Team17. Released on March 30th 2023 has received 42,787 reviews of which 40,999 were positive and 1,788 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 1,013 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played exploration games.
9.4
40,999
1,788
1,013
players
Best deals on exploration games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of exploration games available on Steam right now, updated on May 09th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted exploration games.
1. Figment 2: Creed Valley
Figment 2: Creed Valley is an action-adventure game set in the human mind. Face bosses in musical showdowns, make your way through puzzles, and explore unique environments. Figment 2: Creed Valley is a soundtrack, exploration and puzzle game developed by Bedtime Digital Games and published by Bedtime Digital Games and 4Divinity. Released on March 09th 2023 has received 1,141 reviews of which 1,071 were positive and 70 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Featuring a massive 96% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for exploration category.
8.9
1,071
70
-96%
25.00€
1.00€
2. Astalon: Tears of the Earth
Uphold your pact with the Titan of Death, Epimetheus! Fight, climb and solve your way through a twisted tower as three unique adventurers, on a mission to save their village from impending doom! Astalon: Tears of the Earth is a fantasy, metroidvania and exploration game developed by LABS Works and published by DANGEN Entertainment. Released on June 03rd 2021 has received 1,167 reviews of which 1,056 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in exploration games.
8.6
1,056
111
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
3. Coromon
Coromon is a modern take on the classic monster-taming genre. Tame Coromon and explore a vast world filled with thrilling turn-based battles, brain-twisting puzzles, and a mysterious threat to the world awaiting defeat. Nobody said being a Battle Researcher was easy! Coromon is a creature collector, exploration and jrpg game developed by TRAGsoft and published by indie.io. Released on March 31st 2022 has received 6,545 reviews of which 5,595 were positive and 950 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in exploration games.
8.3
5,595
950
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
4. The Red Lantern
The Red Lantern is a narrative, dog sledding game about survival. You play as the Musher who, along with her team of 5 sled dogs, must find her way home. Care for your dogs, discover their stories, and learn how to navigate the unknowns of the Alaskan wilderness and prepare for your new life. The Red Lantern is a exploration, dog and choose your own adventure game developed by Timberline Studio and published by Kepler Interactive. Released on December 08th 2021 has received 972 reviews of which 804 were positive and 168 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for exploration games.
7.9
804
168
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
5. The Forgotten City
The Forgotten City is a narrative-driven time loop adventure in ancient Rome. Discover the ruins of an ancient underground city, travel 2000 years into the past, and unravel the mystery of who destroyed it by cleverly exploiting the power to wind back time. The fate of the city is in your hands. The Forgotten City is a adventure, time travel and mystery game developed by Modern Storyteller and published by Dear Villagers. Released on July 28th 2021 has received 11,373 reviews of which 10,926 were positive and 447 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 94% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for exploration games.
9.3
10,926
447
-94%
23.00€
1.38€
6. Escape From Mystwood Mansion
In this first-person puzzle escape room game, you are trapped in the mysterious Mystwood mansion. Explore the mansion and find hidden compartments while solving puzzles and deciphering codes to find a way out. Will you escape or linger to uncover the mansion's final secret? Escape From Mystwood Mansion is a escape room, puzzle and cozy game developed and published by Lost Sock Studio. Released on September 27th 2023 has received 890 reviews of which 837 were positive and 53 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for exploration games.
8.8
837
53
-93%
16.29€
1.14€
7. My Little Universe
Stranded on a barren moon with nothing but your tools, fuelless ship, and celestial powers of creation, you are destined to recreate what was once lost and be the hero of your own Little Universe! Don't forget to call in up to three of your friends to join your journey in the Splitscreen Co-op Mode! My Little Universe is a mining, exploration and dungeon crawler game developed by Estoty and published by SayGames. Released on October 05th 2023 has received 1,536 reviews of which 1,328 were positive and 208 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for exploration games.
8.3
1,328
208
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
8. Genesis Noir
A noir adventure spanning time and space. When a love triangle between cosmic beings becomes a bitter confrontation, you'll witness a gunshot fired by a jealous god—otherwise known as The Big Bang. Jump into the expanding universe and search for a way to destroy creation and save your love. Genesis Noir is a noir, point & click and story rich game developed by Feral Cat Den and published by Fellow Traveller. Released on March 26th 2021 has received 1,970 reviews of which 1,548 were positive and 422 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for exploration games.
7.6
1,548
422
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
9. Mail Time
It's Mail Time! As a newly trained Mail Scout, put on your pack, grab those letters, and deliver them across Grumblewood Grove! The forest animals eagerly await the sight of your mushroom hat in this cozy, cottagecore light-platformer adventure! Mail Time is a exploration, cute and platformer game developed by Kela van der Deijl and published by indie.io. Released on April 27th 2023 has received 1,363 reviews of which 1,153 were positive and 210 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for exploration games.
8.1
1,153
210
-92%
19.25€
1.54€
10. Paradise Lost
It's winter, 1980. Szymon, a boy raised in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, finds an abandoned Nazi bunker. Will he find what he’s looking for? Play Paradise Lost and explore an underground world, where Slavic mythology mixes with retrofuturistic technology. Discover the last story on Earth. Paradise Lost is a underground, walking simulator and exploration game developed by PolyAmorous and published by Walkabout. Released on March 24th 2021 has received 2,372 reviews of which 1,524 were positive and 848 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for exploration games.
6.3
1,524
848
-92%
15.50€
1.24€
Free exploration games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play exploration games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on May 09th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play exploration games.
1. ENA: Dream BBQ
Experience surreal environments and inexplicable characters as ENA in a new wild world. ENA: Dream BBQ is a surreal, adventure and singleplayer game developed by ENA Team and published by Joel G. Released on March 26th 2025 has received 21,263 reviews of which 21,005 were positive and 258 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 714 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free exploration games on Steam.
9.6
21,005
258
714
players
2. Satisfactory Modeler
Model your Satisfactory builds. Set up your machines however you like, adding optional limits to the number of any of those machines and the tool will calculate how the parts will flow and how many of each machine type are getting used. Satisfactory Modeler is a free to play, indie and simulation game developed and published by David Price. Released on September 17th 2024 has received 759 reviews of which 737 were positive and 22 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 566, this exploration game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free exploration games on Steam.
9.1
737
22
566
players
3. King Arthur: Legends Rise
Embark on a dark squad RPG journey inspired by King Arthur's perilous adventures. Gather loyal heroes, explore a vast world, and battle against mythical bosses and monsters to restore the kingdom's former glory. King Arthur: Legends Rise is a exploration, strategy and crpg game developed by Kabam Games and Inc. and published by Netmarble. Released on January 21st 2025 has received 497 reviews of which 324 were positive and 173 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 220, this exploration game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free exploration games on Steam.
6.3
324
173
220
players
4. AdventureQuest 3D
The Void King is raising an army in secret. Death has chosen you as his champion to bring him down. Adventure & quest alongside your friends in this bizarre cross-platform MMORPG from the creators of the original, and comically-redundantly named... AdventureQuest! Weekly releases! AdventureQuest 3D is a mmorpg, exploration and hack and slash game developed and published by Artix Entertainment and LLC. Released on October 28th 2022 has received 9,258 reviews of which 7,561 were positive and 1,697 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 201 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free exploration games on Steam.
8.0
7,561
1,697
201
players
5. Argentum Online
Argentum Online, a 2D MMORPG, offers epic quests, dungeon delves, and battles in a fantasy world. Emphasizing community, it features alliances, PvP, and a player-driven economy, all within a vibrant open-world setting. Argentum Online is a mmorpg, rpg and pixel graphics game developed and published by Noland Studios. Released on April 29th 2022 has received 659 reviews of which 489 were positive and 170 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 178 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free exploration games on Steam.
7.1
489
170
178
players
6. FPV SkyDive : FPV Drone Simulator
FPV SkyDive is a free-to-play realistic drone racing and freestyle simulator. Feel the adrenaline of high speed first-person view drone racing in single-player or multi-player scenarios. The future is now, become an FPV pilot today! FPV SkyDive : FPV Drone Simulator is a exploration, flight and racing game developed and published by ORQA. Released on May 31st 2021 has received 2,120 reviews of which 1,746 were positive and 374 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free exploration games on Steam.
7.9
1,746
374
91
players
7. Ylands
Adventure awaits you and your friends in the world of Ylands! Gather resources, craft tools, construct anything and everything, and explore the lands! Build a ship and set sail, encountering mythical animals, a wide variety of sea-life, enemies of all kinds and much more! Ylands is a multiplayer, adventure and free to play game developed and published by Bohemia Interactive. Released on December 05th 2019 has received 7,997 reviews of which 5,044 were positive and 2,953 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free exploration games on Steam.
6.2
5,044
2,953
63
players
8. Pineapple on pizza
Can a video game convey a flavor? Pineapple on pizza is a free to play, short and dark comedy game developed and published by Majorariatto. Released on March 28th 2023 has received 24,066 reviews of which 23,548 were positive and 518 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free exploration games on Steam.
9.6
23,548
518
27
players
9. Illusion Carnival
A lost soul wanders through a whimsical, eerie pop-up book like amusement park. Dive into fun-filled stages, encounter unique characters, fend off spirit erosion, and uncover the park's hidden secrets. The enchanting yet dark Illusion Carnival begins now. Illusion Carnival is a psychological horror, 2.5d and cute game developed and published by KiZ. Released on July 11th 2024 has received 4,330 reviews of which 4,247 were positive and 83 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free exploration games on Steam.
9.4
4,247
83
26
players
10. King of Crabs
Battle Royale with crabs! Intense multiplayer action, with up to 100 players! Scrap, scavenge and slaughter your way to becoming the King of Crabs! King of Crabs is a exploration, pve and hack and slash game developed by Robot Squid and Spilt Milk Studios Ltd and published by Robot Squid. Released on September 25th 2023 has received 8,965 reviews of which 7,089 were positive and 1,876 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free exploration games on Steam.
7.7
7,089
1,876
21
players