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
Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs
From the creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent and Dear Esther comes a new first-person horrorgame that will drag you to the depths of greed, power and madness. It will bury its snout into your ribs and it will eat your heart.
Wizardry 8
A New Wizardry for a New GenerationThe universe is in the throes of violent upheaval and change. Vast and mysterious forces are preparing for the final confrontation. A small group of heroes from distant lands must plunge into the heart of the maelstrom, to uncover long-forgotten secrets, and bring about a new era.
Shelter
Experience the wild as a badger sheltering your cubs from harm. On your journey, you will be stalked by birds of prey, encounter perils of the night, cross fierce rivers, escape forest fires and face the looming threat of starvation. Food is to be found, but is there enough for everyone?
Gone Home
June 7th, 1995. 1:15 AM. You arrive home after a year abroad. You expect your family to greet you, but the house is empty. Something's not right. Where is everyone? And what's happened here? Unravel the mystery for yourself in Gone Home, a story exploration game from The Fullbright Company.
DuckTales: Remastered
DuckTales: Remastered is a beautiful hand-crafted reimagining of one of the most cherished 8-bit titles of all time. Go back to one of the golden ages of gaming, now refined with a level of detail that will please the most hardened devoted Disney or retro Capcom fan alike.
Guacamelee! Gold Edition
Guacamelee! Gold Edition is a Metroidvania-style action-platformer set in a magical Mexican-inspired world. The game draws its inspiration from traditional Mexican culture and folklore, and features many interesting and unique characters.
Ittle Dew
Adventuress Ittle Dew and her sidekick Tippsie crash onto a strange island, filled with loot and mysterious inhabitants. It quickly dawns on the duo that this might become their biggest adventure yet.Ittle Dew boils down the classic adventure formula until there is only fun left.
Toki Tori 2+
Toki Tori 2+ may look cute, but it’s a challenging puzzle adventure game. Whistle and stomp are the only moves you need to solve increasingly complex puzzles, as you go anywhere, anytime on a lush forest island.
FINAL FANTASY VII
The RPG classic FINAL FANTASY VII returns to PC, now with brand new online features!
Rogue Legacy
Rogue Legacy is a genealogical rogue-"LITE" where anyone can be a hero. Each time you die, your child will succeed you. Every child is unique. One child might be colorblind, another might be a dwarf with vertigo. But that's OK, because no one is perfect, and you don't have to be to succeed.
The Swapper
What if someone knew your mind better than you did? The Swapper is an award-winning, narrative driven puzzle game set in the furthest reaches of space.
Expeditions: Conquistador
Conquer the New world: In the 16th Century, Spanish explorers and soldiers reached the shores of America. The search for gold, fame, and adventure drove these travelers into a treacherous wilderness where they faced hunger, disease, and dangerous predators. In their wake, the Aztec Empires lay in ruins.
Dust: An Elysian Tail
Immerse yourself in a gorgeous hand-painted world on a search for your true identity. As the mysterious warrior, Dust, your action-packed journey will take you from peaceful glades to snowy mountaintops and beyond.
Fallen Enchantress: Legendary Heroes
Fallen Enchantress is 4X strategy game from the makers of Sins of a Solar Empire and Galactic Civilizations. Build a civilization in the magical world of Elemental. Recruit heroes, train armies, build cities, forge alliances and save the world in this rich world where it's never the same game twice.
FEZ
Gomez is a 2D creature living in a 2D world. Or is he? When the existence of a mysterious 3rd dimension is revealed to him, Gomez is sent out on a journey that will take him to the very end of time and space. Use your ability to navigate 3D structures from 4 distinct classic 2D perspectives.
Kairo
Enter the lost world of Kairo. Explore vast abandoned monuments. Bring strange and ancient machinery back to life. Slowly uncover the true purpose of Kairo and fulfil a great destiny.Kairo is an atmospheric 3D exploration and puzzle solving game.
Don't Starve
Don’t Starve is an uncompromising wilderness survival game full of science and magic. Enter a strange and unexplored world full of strange creatures, dangers, and surprises. Gather resources to craft items and structures that match your survival style.
La-Mulana
LA-MULANA is an “Archaeological Ruin Exploration Action Game,” bringing the classic appeal of adventure with the punishing difficulty of retro-inspired gaming. Search inside ancient ruins, seeking out the “Secret Treasure of Life” – which sleeps in the sprawling ruins of “LA-MULANA” and is said to be the beginning of all civilization.
Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space
Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space is a hybrid roguelike game of space exploration, adventure and starship combat.
DLC Quest
What happens when DLC practices go too far? An indie developer makes a game that mocks the industry and its foibles, that's what! Defeat the bad guy, save the world and get the girl! But first you'll need to find coins to buy DLC to enable animation, sound and even pausing.
Euro Truck Simulator
The original Euro Truck Simulator - the game which has become the classic of the genre and is still relevant today. The first truck simulation game in a European setting, with European long haul trucks!
Tomb Raider
Tomb Raider explores the intense origin story of Lara Croft and her ascent from a young woman to a hardened survivor.
Kentucky Route Zero: PC Edition
KENTUCKY ROUTE ZERO is a magical realist adventure game about a secret highway running through the caves beneath Kentucky, and the mysterious folks who travel it.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 April 30th 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 20,857 reviews of which 19,311 were positive and 1,546 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played exploration game, thanks to its 58,990 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.1
19,311
1,546
58,990
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 390,364 reviews of which 324,290 were positive and 66,074 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. While seeing 11,693 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among exploration games based on player count.
8.2
324,290
66,074
11,693
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 4,496 reviews of which 3,826 were positive and 670 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. While seeing 9,362 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among exploration games based on player count.
8.2
3,826
670
9,362
players
4. 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 350,242 reviews of which 290,801 were positive and 59,441 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. With 5,653 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played exploration games.
8.2
290,801
59,441
5,653
players
5. 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 99,333 reviews of which 76,805 were positive and 22,528 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. With 4,976 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played exploration games.
7.7
76,805
22,528
4,976
players
6. 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 110,202 reviews of which 99,943 were positive and 10,259 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 4,888 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played exploration games.
9.0
99,943
10,259
4,888
players
7. 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 4,791 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played exploration games.
9.0
18,859
1,665
4,791
players
8. 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 38,626 reviews of which 25,336 were positive and 13,290 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. With 4,452 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played exploration games.
6.5
25,336
13,290
4,452
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 41,211 reviews of which 38,774 were positive and 2,437 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 1,211 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played exploration games.
9.2
38,774
2,437
1,211
players
10. 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 19,448 reviews of which 19,216 were positive and 232 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 1,042 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played exploration games.
9.6
19,216
232
1,042
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 April 30th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted exploration games.
1. 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 1,147 reviews of which 1,043 were positive and 104 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for exploration category.
8.6
1,043
104
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
2. 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 6,506 reviews of which 5,562 were positive and 944 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in exploration games.
8.3
5,562
944
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
3. 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 967 reviews of which 800 were positive and 167 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in exploration games.
7.9
800
167
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
4. Last Room
Dive into a world of puzzles, medieval mysteries, and strategic challenges. Navigate, solve, and leap your way through a thrilling adventure. Last Room is a exploration, hidden object and strategy game developed and published by Quantum Forge Studios. Released on June 14th 2021 has received 378 reviews of which 264 were positive and 114 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for exploration games.
6.7
264
114
-95%
29.99€
1.49€
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 11,325 reviews of which 10,881 were positive and 444 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
10,881
444
-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 880 reviews of which 827 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
827
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 1,510 reviews of which 1,308 were positive and 202 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
1,308
202
-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 1,966 reviews of which 1,544 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
1,544
422
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
9. Eternal Edge +
Eternal Edge + is a casual Action-Adventure role-playing game following Cross, an Age-old warrior who is trying to wake his lost Wife from an Eternal slumber. Only together can they defeat the Skeleton King. Eternal Edge + is a action rpg, exploration and character customization game developed by Righteous Weasel Games and Ignatios Prouctions LLC and published by Sedoc LLC and GrabTheGames. Released on May 07th 2022 has received 683 reviews of which 485 were positive and 198 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for exploration games.
6.8
485
198
-93%
12.49€
0.87€
10. 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 1,354 reviews of which 1,147 were positive and 207 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for exploration games.
8.1
1,147
207
-92%
19.25€
1.54€
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 April 30th 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 19,448 reviews of which 19,216 were positive and 232 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 1,042 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free exploration games on Steam.
9.6
19,216
232
1,042
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 733 reviews of which 712 were positive and 21 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 618, this exploration game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free exploration games on Steam.
9.1
712
21
618
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 479 reviews of which 313 were positive and 166 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 223, this exploration game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free exploration games on Steam.
6.3
313
166
223
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 9,251 reviews of which 7,559 were positive and 1,692 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 185 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free exploration games on Steam.
8.0
7,559
1,692
185
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 656 reviews of which 488 were positive and 168 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 171 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free exploration games on Steam.
7.1
488
168
171
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 2,106 reviews of which 1,731 were positive and 375 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
1,731
375
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
71
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 23,946 reviews of which 23,431 were positive and 515 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
23,431
515
38
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 rpg game developed and published by KiZ. Released on July 11th 2024 has received 4,280 reviews of which 4,200 were positive and 80 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
4,200
80
17
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 8,963 reviews of which 7,088 were positive and 1,875 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
7,088
1,875
13
players