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
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
A dice-driven RPG, in a human and heartfelt sci-fi world. You are an escaped android, with a malfunctioning body, a price on your head and no memory of your past. Get a ship, find a crew, and take on contracts while you navigate across the Starward Belt.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure
Embark on a cozy, open-world adventure with Hello Kitty and Friends. Befriend beloved characters as you explore and restore a mysterious island, solve ancient puzzles, cook delicious dishes, customize yourself and your cabins, and so much more.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Be Greater. Together. The incredible power of the symbiote forces Peter Parker and Miles Morales into a desperate fight as they balance their lives, friendships, and their duty to protect in an exciting chapter of the critically acclaimed Spider-Man franchise on PC.
Coridden
Become the ultimate shapeshifter in this hack n’ slash ARPG with action-based combat. Transform seamlessly and customize both your human and beast powers as you level up, find new gear and DNA-strands. Venture out solo or in co-op to uncover the secrets sealed inside a legendary city.
Exogate Initiative
Build and manage mankind’s first mission across the universe! Create a sprawling facility underground, recruit a diverse group of specialists from around the globe and explore mysterious new worlds through the Exogate.
Space Engineers 2
The ultimate space sandbox, reimagined. Unleash your creativity with powerful building tools, explore the mysterious Almagest system, and uncover its captivating story. Join the Early Access and shape the future of space engineering!
Camping Simulator: The Squad
Camping Simulator lets you experience what camp means by preparing your backpack wisely for challenging conditions of nature. You can play all the experiences with up to 8 friends in multiplayer mode or single player mode.
SCP: Fragmented Minds
You arrive at Mars Site-113, a decaying monument to the SCP Foundation's ambition—and its failures. Once the most secure facility, now a cradle of horrors calling you to uncover its secrets. Face relentless anomalies, humanity's darkest truths, and a mission that demands survival above all else.
Butcher's Creek
A first person melee horror game where you use rusty tools to brutalize a gang of serial torturers in the remote Appalachian Forest.
AI2U: With You 'Til The End
You wake up in a cute girl's home who's eager to keep you by her side! Engage with thematic stories, puzzles, and unique AI NPCs who'll go to any lengths to protect you—even when it means contradicting themselves. Bask in meet-cutes or brace for chaos if you try to escape.
Dreamcore
Step into the surreal with Dreamcore, a body-cam styled psychological horror game that plunges you into the eerie beauty of "liminal spaces." Unravel the mysteries of Dreamcore’s non-linear worlds and uncover its hidden secrets. Can you discover what lies beyond the edge of reality?
Mika and The Witch's Mountain
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is a fantasy adventure about an aspiring witch who delivers packages to the townspeople of a small island. Explore every cranny and soar through the sky with your magic broom.
Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders
Crash over and over until you master the mountain in the snowy followup to Lonely Mountains: Downhill. Now also including 2-8 person crossplatform multiplayer - work your way down the slopes together as a group, or risk it all in a breakneck race to the base!
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.
Settlements Rising
Settlements Rising is a medieval city building and colony management game. It offers a lively colony experience with simulated villagers, dozens of professions and resources, natural disasters, and raids, while providing full control over the colony through trade, production chains and datas.
Matchmaking Inc.
A young single man returns to his hometown and takes over the family's matchmaking business. Matchmaking Inc. is a modern-themed RPG designed for men that combines gameplay elements of simulation management and text adventure.
Age of Water
Age of Water is an online adventure game set on a post-apocalyptic Earth completely covered in water. Sail through storms, fight and trade, capture other people's boats or build your own, extract resources from the bottom of the ocean and reveal the secrets of the Age of Water world.
Aloft
Soar the skies in Aloft, the co-op sandbox survival game set in a world of floating islands. Build any island into a skyship, your home in the clouds. Find lost knowledge, cure the fungal corruption, and brave the hurricane to restore the ecosystem.
BLADECHIMERA
Explore a dark and sinister Osaka as the Demon Hunter Shin. Battle demons, regain lost skills, and uncover the truth of your forgotten past in this exciting occult-inspired cyberpunk metroidvania.
Airborne Empire
Build your sky city while exploring a vast landscape in this Open World RPG City Builder. Combining the methodical construction and management of a city builder; the unique lift, balance, and propulsion needed for a flying city; and the compelling characters, dangers, and adventures of an RPG!
Cursed Digicam | 呪われたデジカメ
You receive a cursed digital camera that captures ghosts from a strange website. The website allows you to liberate your loved ones by uploading images of their spirits using the camera. You decide to go to the nearest park where your girl was last seen.
The Rangers In The South
Purge the lands in this 2.5D HD Pixelart RogueLike ARPG! Create hundreds of characters with unique strategies and abilities, face hordes of enemies, explore different biomes, procedurally generated dungeons, and obtain unique items!
The Inn-Sanity
Early 90s. You stayed in a quiet hotel for just one night and the next morning you’ve found out that the old world was destroyed. Alien dreams, secrets of your past and other guests that are turning into monsters. This hotel will not let you to check out.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 15th 2025.
1. 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 389,458 reviews of which 323,460 were positive and 65,998 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played exploration game, thanks to its 17,878 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.2
323,460
65,998
17,878
players
2. 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 349,909 reviews of which 290,482 were positive and 59,427 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. While seeing 16,066 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among exploration games based on player count.
8.2
290,482
59,427
16,066
players
3. 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 98,919 reviews of which 76,509 were positive and 22,410 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. While seeing 8,188 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among exploration games based on player count.
7.7
76,509
22,410
8,188
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 20,336 reviews of which 18,683 were positive and 1,653 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 3,643 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played exploration games.
9.0
18,683
1,653
3,643
players
5. 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 40,460 reviews of which 38,104 were positive and 2,356 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 2,993 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played exploration games.
9.2
38,104
2,356
2,993
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 110,028 reviews of which 99,810 were positive and 10,218 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 2,860 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played exploration games.
9.0
99,810
10,218
2,860
players
7. 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 16,386 reviews of which 16,199 were positive and 187 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 2,131 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played exploration games.
9.6
16,199
187
2,131
players
8. Ship Graveyard Simulator 2
Dust off your torch and hammer - it's time to get back to work, you have a new job to do. Visit the new beach coast with the largest, biggest ship graveyard in the world, dismantle huge ship parts and collect tons of precious steel. Roll up your sleeves, it's time to get back to the business. Ship Graveyard Simulator 2 is a simulation, destruction and multiplayer game developed by Games Incubator and Hypnotic Ants and published by Games Incubator and PlayWay S.A.. Released on August 16th 2023 has received 2,830 reviews of which 2,260 were positive and 570 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. With 1,689 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played exploration games.
7.7
2,260
570
1,689
players
9. The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria™
The only survival crafting game set in the Fourth Age of Middle-earth™. Embark on an epic journey to reclaim the Dwarven homeland of Moria, and explore, craft, and build in procedurally generated worlds. Play as a solo adventurer, or join friends in co-op gameplay for up to 8 players. The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria™ is a open world survival craft, dwarf and base-building game developed by Free Range Games and published by North Beach Games. Released on August 27th 2024 has received 7,697 reviews of which 6,418 were positive and 1,279 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. With 1,638 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played exploration games.
8.1
6,418
1,279
1,638
players
10. Luma Island
Travel to Luma Island to go on an epic adventure by yourself or with your friends and family. Build your dream farm, master professions, collect magical Lumas, find treasures and unravel the mysteries of the island. Luma Island is a adventure, farming sim and crafting game developed and published by Feel Free Games. Released on November 20th 2024 has received 9,230 reviews of which 7,756 were positive and 1,474 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. With 1,579 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played exploration games.
8.2
7,756
1,474
1,579
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 15th 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, exploration and metroidvania game developed by LABS Works and published by DANGEN Entertainment. Released on June 03rd 2021 has received 1,124 reviews of which 1,023 were positive and 101 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
1,023
101
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
2. Foretales
Decide the fate of the world in this ingenious story-driven card game. Foretales offers a unique take on the adventure genre, with a multitude of playstyles and story paths through which you can save the world… or bring about its end. Foretales is a card game, narration and adventure game developed by Alkemi and published by Dear Villagers. Released on September 15th 2022 has received 995 reviews of which 846 were positive and 149 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in exploration games.
8.1
846
149
-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 951 reviews of which 785 were positive and 166 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in exploration games.
7.8
785
166
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
4. 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 11,233 reviews of which 10,796 were positive and 437 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 #4 position in the best deals for exploration games.
9.3
10,796
437
-94%
23.00€
1.38€
5. Omno
A single-player journey of discovery through an ancient world of wonders, created by solo developer Jonas Manke. Omno is a adventure, wholesome and exploration game developed by Studio Inkyfox and published by Future Friends Games and StudioInkyfox. Released on July 28th 2021 has received 2,423 reviews of which 2,243 were positive and 180 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 94% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for exploration games.
8.9
2,243
180
-94%
17.17€
1.03€
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 859 reviews of which 809 were positive and 50 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 94% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for exploration games.
8.8
809
50
-94%
16.67€
1.00€
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 1,442 reviews of which 1,253 were positive and 189 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
1,253
189
-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 1,952 reviews of which 1,538 were positive and 414 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
1,538
414
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
9. 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 6,415 reviews of which 5,487 were positive and 928 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for exploration games.
8.3
5,487
928
-92%
17.75€
1.42€
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 1,345 reviews of which 1,141 were positive and 204 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
1,141
204
-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 15th 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 16,386 reviews of which 16,199 were positive and 187 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 2,131 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free exploration games on Steam.
9.6
16,199
187
2,131
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 706 reviews of which 688 were positive and 18 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 675, this exploration game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free exploration games on Steam.
9.1
688
18
675
players
3. 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 9,235 reviews of which 7,550 were positive and 1,685 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 284, this exploration game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free exploration games on Steam.
8.0
7,550
1,685
284
players
4. 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, free to play and strategy game developed by Kabam Games and Inc. and published by Netmarble. Released on January 21st 2025 has received 445 reviews of which 290 were positive and 155 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 205 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free exploration games on Steam.
6.3
290
155
205
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 652 reviews of which 485 were positive and 167 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 183 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free exploration games on Steam.
7.1
485
167
183
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 2,065 reviews of which 1,697 were positive and 368 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 173 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free exploration games on Steam.
7.9
1,697
368
173
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 adventure, multiplayer and free to play game developed and published by Bohemia Interactive. Released on December 05th 2019 has received 7,971 reviews of which 5,021 were positive and 2,950 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 128 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free exploration games on Steam.
6.2
5,021
2,950
128
players
8. 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 8,961 reviews of which 7,089 were positive and 1,872 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free exploration games on Steam.
7.7
7,089
1,872
36
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 4,206 reviews of which 4,128 were positive and 78 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
4,128
78
29
players
10. Plasma
Plasma is a pure engineering sandbox. Use advanced visual programming and robotics tools to create anything you can imagine. Plasma is a simulation, sandbox and 3d game developed by Dry Cactus and Licorice ehf and published by Dry Licorice. Released on September 13th 2023 has received 844 reviews of which 752 were positive and 92 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free exploration games on Steam.
8.4
752
92
19
players