Terraria
Terraria is an action-adventure sandbox game with absolutely no predetermined goals for you to follow; you can choose its difficulty and what you do in the game. That includes collecting resources and equipment, crafting defenses to protect you from the (many) dangers of the world, and exploring at your leisure—taking down boss enemies along the way. Terraria is also one of the best-selling video games of all time (although Minecraft still holds the top spot). Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, iOS, Android Developer: Re-Logic Release year: 2011
Roblox
Roblox has so much in common with Minecraft, it’s practically a must-play. But it’s more than just a game; it’s an entire platform that hosts a large library of other games—both player creations and Roblox-based games from licensed developers. In Roblox, your freedom is endless, and you can create absolutely anything with the game’s extensive editing tools. Plus, you can do it alongside friends thanks to Roblox’s social features! Platforms: PC, Xbox One, iOS, Android Developer: Roblox Corporation Release year: 2006
Eco
Eco is as much educational as it is fun—it’s a survival game that teaches you to build up a civilization while simultaneously protecting and nurturing the ecosystem. It essentially takes the core principles of Minecraft and evolves them, asking you to put some real thought into which resources you take and where you take them from. Eco also features multiple game modes, including one where you’re building civilization on a timer (before a meteor arrives). Platforms: PC Developer: Strange Loop Games Release year: 2018
Ark: Survival Evolved
Do you love Minecraft, but wish it had more (or any) dinosaurs? Ark: Survival Evolved is your game, then. It’s a survival game that throws you onto a remote island inhabited by dinosaurs, and you must use your crafting and combat skills to climb the food chain and, eventually, rule the roost. You can also try out the remaster, Ark: Survival Ascended, which is currently in early access. Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch Developer: Studio Wildcard Release year: 2017
Subnautica
Subnautica asks the question: what if you had to survive and scavenge for resources underwater? It follows the Minecraft formula in that it requires you to try and survive by building up bases, crafting tools, and dealing with any dangers that come your way; however, it’s entirely set in the depths of the ocean (and, accordingly, forces you to monitor your oxygen levels while you play). For maximum immersion, there’s also Subnautica for VR! Platforms: PC, Mac, PS 4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S Developer: Unknown Worlds Entertainment Release year: 2018
Junk Jack
Junk Jack is a pixelated 2D sandbox game that challenges you to explore and collect resources in a randomly generated environment. There are numerous biomes to explore, both on the surface and underground—but there are also plenty of perils to navigate along the way, especially since you never know what you’ll run into. But, at the very least, there’s a tutorial at the beginning of the game to help you get your bearings before you’re set loose! Platforms: PC Developer: Pixbits SRL Release year: 2011
Space Engineers
If you love space exploration and science fiction, Space Engineers is a voxel-based Minecraft-style game set among the stars. As a player, you’ll control an astronaut with basic tools at your disposal, and you can build just about anything you want! All of the game’s technology is intended to be as realistic as possible, and you can join a multiplayer mode if you prefer building up planets with friends. Platforms: PC Developer: Keen Software House Release year: 2013
No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Sky is best-known for its ambitious use of procedural generation; while Minecraft uses it to create the world space around you, No Man’s Sky uses it to create over 18 quintillion planets for players to explore. That’s a staggering number! And despite the game’s mixed reviews when it first launched, subsequent updates have improved it enormously; nowadays, it truly offers endless things to do and worlds to develop (with awesome sci-fi staples like aliens and spaceships thrown into the mix). Platforms: PC, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, Switch Developer: Hello Games Release year: 2016
Craft the World
Craft the World gives you control of a tribe of dwarves; as their “commander,” you can use them to explore each level of the game, build fortresses, tunnel through the underground, and craft various weapons and equipment. You’ll gain additional dwarves to add to your tribe as you accrue power and experience, and each level you explore actually consists of several layers of randomly-generated earth. Platforms: PC, Mac Developer: Dekovir Entertainment Release year: 2014
Lego Worlds
Lego Worlds is a sandbox game inspired by Minecraft (and, of course, based on the Lego franchise). It offers a 3D procedurally generated world to explore—and mold as much or as little as you want. In the spirit of Legos themselves, you can destroy or build up whole environments within the game. Alternatively, you can use the game’s various other modes, including a campaign mode! Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch Developer: TT Games, Traveller’s Tales Release year: 2015
Dragon Quest Builders 2
Dragon Quest Builders 2 brings some fantasy overtones to a Minecraft-inspired experience. In the game, your main opposition is an evil cult trying to eradicate creativity—and it’s up to you to rebuild the world! In the spirit of the Dragon Quest series (on which this game is based), you’ll be able to do quests and engage with more RPG-like elements, in addition to gathering resources and enjoying the game’s block-building mechanics. Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch Developer: Square Enix Release year: 2018
Kerbal Space Program
The original Kerbal Space Program is a space flight simulation game. It challenges you to use your problem-solving skills to help groups of small green aliens (“Kerbals”) navigate space! And, green aliens aside, the spaceflight and problem-solving aspects of the game are so realistic that it’s been commended by organizations like NASA and used in schools as an educational tool! Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S Developer: Squad Release year: 2015
Cube World
Cube World looks very much like Minecraft with its procedurally generated voxel world made up of vastly different biomes—from forests to deserts and everything in between. You’ll get to explore the open world freely; however, in terms of mechanics, the game is more of an adventure RPG (complete with quests, character classes, combat, and lots of loot). If you’re interested in an exploration-oriented game, try Cube World. Platforms: PC Developer: Picroma Release year: 2019
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a bit of a departure from Minecraft, with roots in JRPGs and games like Animal Crossing as well—but, if you enjoy Minecraft purely for the ability to develop an area and improve it to your heart’s content, you might like Stardew Valley, too. In this game, you take on the role of a farmer trying to revive their grandfather’s farm; along the way, you can also improve the nearby town and get to know (or even romance) the townsfolk. Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, iOS, Android Developer: ConcernedApe Release year: 2016
Trove
Trove is an action MMO (massively multiplayer online game) with a voxel-based design—so, even though it’s more combat-heavy than Minecraft, it definitely looks similar. And you’ll still explore different mines and underground caverns as you play; you’ll just be choosing a character class, gathering up loot, and defeating boss enemies along the way, too. If you’ve ever wished Minecraft had a few more RPG elements, give Trove a shot. Platforms: PC, Mac, Switch, PS4, Xbox One Developer: gamigo US Inc. Release year: 2015
Creativerse
Creativerse is another game with a ton of similarities to Minecraft—and it has a major graphics upgrade on top of that. It features next-gen sandbox building with advanced tools, quality-of-life enhancements, and nearly limitless options for players in terms of building and open-world exploration. You can also play in a private world that’s all you own, or join a public world that you can develop alongside others! Platforms: PC, Mac Developer: Playful Studios Release year: 2014
Luanti (formerly Minetest)
Luanti (formerly Minetest) is a voxel sandbox game and modding platform—and the real magic is that it’s totally free and open-source. It technically comes with many different games, mods, and modes, though basic gameplay is based on exploration, gathering resources and crafting materials, and building or cultivating the land for survival (just like Minecraft). Luanti is completely community-driven, making it a fascinating Minecraft alternative to try! Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux Developer: Minetest Team Release year: 2010
The Forest
The Forest is definitely more of a horror game than any part of Minecraft—but if “Minecraft-like crafting mechanics meets horror-survival scenario with nocturnal cannibals” sounds like your vibe, give The Forest a try. As the name suggests, you’re dropped into a remote forest and hunted by the aforementioned cannibals; you must craft weapons, scavenge for food, and build a shelter to survive. It’ll keep you on your toes, to be sure! Platforms: PC, PS4 Developer: Endnight Games Ltd Release year: 2014
Castle Story
Castle Story is a voxel-based strategy game in which you’ll try to build castles capable of withstanding enemy attacks—both from encroaching creatures and other players. In the game, you control workers (“Bricktrons”) and send them to gather the resources you’ll need to build your fortress. And it really is your fortress; the design is completely up to you, which is where most of the similarities with Minecraft come in! Platforms: PC Developer: Sauropod Studio Release year: 2017
Vintage Story
Vintage Story is a sandbox survival game that actually started as a Minecraft mod (titled “Vintagecraft” at the time). Then, its developers turned it into a standalone game in the same vein as Minecraft, with Lovecraftian horror themes to set it apart from the crowd. It has a super immersive environment and a more intense focus on survival; it really starts you off with the bare-bones basics (learning how to make nap flint and smelt metal), forcing you to slowly build your skills. Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux Developer: Anego Studios Release year: 2016
Colony Survival
Colony Survival’s creative concept combines tower defense mechanics with survival! As the player, you must build an entire colony from the ground up—and protect it (because, naturally, waves of monsters will attack nightly). You can assign tasks and roles to your colonists to keep the colony running successfully (like guard or miner), and test your tactical sensibilities by creating structures to withstand enemy attacks. The game is currently in early access, but already very playable! Platforms: PC Developer: Pipliz Release year: 2017
Portal Knights
Portal Knights is another game with RPG elements, for players who want a Minecraft experience with more direction. You can select a class—mage, ranger, or warrior—and choose skills to specialize in as you gain levels, yet there are also more Minecraft-like elements to enjoy. You can still build up the world around you as you see fit and design a base for yourself in-game; there’s just a little more quest progression to go along with it! Platforms: PC, Android, iOS, PS4, Xbox One, Switch Developer: Keen Games Release year: 2016
PixARK
Remember Ark: Survival Evolved from earlier in this list? Well, if you liked the idea of survival and dinosaurs but thought to yourself, “I’m still missing the Minecraft voxel design,” PixARK is the perfect blend of both. In the game, you’ll get to gather resources, build bases, and secure your own survival—while also riding dinosaurs into battle. It’s a win-win! Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch Developer: Snail Games Release year: 2019
Starbound
Starbound starts you off with nothing but a broken spaceship, and it’s your job to fix it up and use it to explore the galaxy! Naturally, in the vein of Minecraft, the galaxy is procedurally generated—with each planet having biomes to explore, enemies to fight, and resources to gather. As you build and customize each planet, you can also recruit new crew members to live and work on your ship. There are so many different ways to play Starbound, which is what makes it so intriguing. Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Xbox One/Series X/S Developer: Chucklefish Release year: 2016
7 Days to Die
7 Days to Die is the game for anyone looking to play something with way more intensity than Minecraft. After all, Minecraft might have zombie-like creatures, but they’re not nearly as numerous (or persistent) as they are in 7 Days to Die! In this game, you must scavenge for supplies and build up a fortified base, but there’s a major timer ticking as you do it: every 7 days, a horde of zombies will swarm and attack you. The goal is staying alive—and it’s quite the challenge. Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox One/Series X/S, PS4/5 Developer: The Fun Pimps Release year: 2016
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