Mystery games stretch far and wide across the gaming-sphere. They can encompass many different genres such as fantasy or pure horror. A good mystery can leave you thinking of a solution, even when you are not actively playing. If you are itching for a mystery to solve, you've come to the right place.
Here, we are going to go over some of the best mystery games that are currently available on Steam. Many of these games can be a bit scary, but there are some scare-free options available for you to enjoy. Now, let's dive in and start with a classic, lawyer-filled series.
Updated July 25, 2023 by Jacqueline Zalace: Mystery games can suck you in to a complex story, filled with twists and turns. As such, we've added even more mystery games that you can play on Steam.
13 Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a classic mystery game, putting you in the shoes of a new lawyer. Your goal is to solve cases and prove that the defendant is innocent. Each game in the trilogy has several cases that you can complete, with many characters remaining present through them all.
After playing through the trilogy, you can also check out The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles. This is comprised of two games that focus on Ryunosuke Naruhodo, who happens to be an ancestor of the familiar Phoenix Wright.
12 Disco Elysium
Disco Elysium is a game where every choice you make matters. As a detective, you will need to solve a murder case. The way you go about doing this is up to you though; there are 24 different skills that you can hone throughout your journey.
In total, there are three main endings, with several game-overs that can occur if you make the wrong move. Overall, Disco Elysium truly gives you the choice to become a good cop or a bad cop.
11 The Zero Escape Trilogy
The Zero Escape Trilogy is composed of three games; Nine Persons, Nine Doors, Nine Hours (999), Virtue's Last Reward, and Zero Time Dilemma. Each game itself poses a mystery for you to solve, but there is also an overarching mystery that you can work through.
These games all follow a similar format. You, along with eight others, will need to escape the situation that you are currently in. There are several different endings that you can obtain, as well as tons of escape room puzzles for you to solve.
10 Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo
Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is a relatively new game, with a tagline of "How far would you go to bring someone back from the dead?" Set in the late twentieth century, this visual novel is filled with a captivating story that will keep you invested right until the end.
In addition to a phenomenal story, Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo has complex puzzles. It's important to note that this game can be a bit scary!
9 Umineko: When They Cry
Umineko is a visual novel created by the same mind behind Higurashi: When They Cry. In this game, you will need to unravel the mystery of the Ushiromiya family and survive.
There are two Umineko games available on Steam; Question and Answer. It's best to play the Question arc first, followed by the Answer arc. Overall, the Question arc takes around 60 hours to beat, giving you tons of mystery content to navigate through.
8 Season: A Letter To The Future
Unlike many other games on our list, Season: A Letter To The Future does not involve solving a brutal murder case. Instead, you play as a young woman in an eerie and beautiful. There is no combat, only a bike that takes you around Tieng Valley.
While on your bike journey, you can record bits of information from the world around you. Talk to residents, study left-behind objects, and learn about the season. The game is short and sweet, filled with beautiful landscapes to ride along.
7 Outer Wilds
Outer Wilds occurs in a time loop, where you play as a little space pilot, exploring a solar system that is on the brink of destruction. The goal is to find a stop to the time loop, but while making your journey, you will discover the secrets of the universe.
Each time loop lasts 22 minutes, but as you complete these loops, you will learn a bit more each time. In addition to solving puzzles, you will need to learn to fly and manage your ship so you don't crash or have a premature death.
6 Heavy Rain
Heavy Rain is a psychological thriller developed by Quantic Dream. This is the studio behind hits like Beyond Two Souls and Detroit Become Human. If you are familiar with these two games, then you will not be surprised to learn that Heavy Rain is, well, story-heavy.
The game revolves around the case of the Origami Killer, as you attempt to prevent the mysterious figure from killing again. While solving the mystery, there are countless choices for you to make, which can give you different endings.
5 Danganronpa Trilogy
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Danganronpa is another mystery trilogy like Zero Escape. In all three Danganronpa games, you will need to survive a killing game led by Monokuma, a black and white robot bear. The games are broken up into chapters, with each one focusing on a murder and trial.
Overall, the goal is to find the killer during the trial, where they will be punished by death. In addition to finding the killer, you will also need to learn the truth of the killing game and why you are there.
4 Phasmophobia
Phasmophobia is one of the scarier games on our list. This scary game involves the paranormal, and can be played with up to three other people. This co-op feature is integrated into the game, where you can use walkie-talkies to communicate with others.
The true mystery in Phasmophobia is to figure out what exactly is going on while conducting your paranormal investigation. Will you be able to confidently explore and figure out what's going on, or will you flee from the first ghost?
3 Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals
Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals is the second Oxenfree game, but it stands alone, meaning you won't have to play the first game to understand what is going on. We suggest playing both though, as the first game really establishes the tone and world.
As Riley, you will need to figure out what is going on in the town of Camena. What's the real truth behind the electromagnetic waves that are disturbing life in this town?
2 The Room
The Room is a classic mystery game that was originally released for iOS. Since then, it's spread to Android, PC, and the Nintendo Switch. In this game, you won't have much information to start; instead, you are in a room with a mysterious box.
Your task is to unlock four puzzle boxes by completing additional puzzles in the room. With not much information, this task can prove to be quite difficult. If this game captures your heart, you are in luck! There are three sequels that you can play as well.
1 Return Of The Obra Dinn
Lastly, we have Return Of The Obra Dinn. Focusing on the missing merchant ship Obra Dinn, your goal is to figure out why the ship disappeared for five years, only to reappear with no crew.
Although the game has a simple, "1-bit" art style, it's completely possible to get swept away in the story. There are tons of puzzles that are so satisfying to complete, and an overarching storyline that is hauntingly beautiful.