There are very few games that have gained as much fame as Minecraft. I started playing this game back in 2013, and I still play it almost every day. Gamers around the world absolutely love this game. Why wouldn’t they love it? After all, it gives everything you need to have a great gaming experience, including building, crafting, exploration, and survival.
But what if you want to experience different games but with a similar sandbox experience as Minecraft? Fortunately, there are many games like Minecraft available to play. In this article, I will share seven of the best options you can try. Let’s start.
A Quick Look at the 7 Best Games Like Minecraft
| Game | Genre | Platforms | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trove | Sandbox MMORPG | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Free-to-play | Multiplayer voxel exploration |
| Cube World | Action RPG | PC | $19.99 | Exploration and RPG gameplay |
| Dinkum | Survival life-sim | PC, Nintendo Switch | $19.99 | Relaxed town-building |
| LEGO Worlds | Sandbox adventure | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | $29.99 | Creative building |
| Outpath | Sandbox simulation | PC | $14.99 | Relaxed crafting and automation |
| PixARK | Survival RPG | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | $19.99 | Dinosaur taming and combat |
| The Planet Crafter | Survival crafting | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | $23.99 | Peaceful exploration and terraforming |
Top 7 Best Games like Minecraft for Sandbox Fans to Try
When it comes to playing games like Minecraft, there are dozens of options available. However, not all of them offer the best experience. This is why I have selected the seven games that I think are worth trying. Here are the details of these games:
1. Trove
- Genre: Sandbox MMORPG
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Pricing: Free-to-play
- Best for: Multiplayer voxel exploration
Trove is a free-to-play sandbox game where you can explore voxel-based worlds, build structures, and fight enemies. You can explore different worlds, collect resources, build structures, and fight enemies.
What I like the most about this game is that it has several classes. Each class has different abilities and playstyles. Trove is one of those games that you don’t need a very high-end gaming PC to play. Its system requirements are pretty low, and you can play it even on an average computer.
Trove also supports multiplayer, allowing you to explore its worlds and complete different activities with other players.
Why try it?
- The voxel-based worlds feel just like Minecraft for players.
- Different classes offer unique combat styles.
- Building lets you create and customize structures.
- Multiplayer lets you play with friends.
2. Cube World
- Genre: Action RPG
- Platforms: PC
- Pricing: $19.99
- Best for: Solo/co-op exploration RPG fans
Cube World is an open-world RPG with a voxel-based world. It has a very strong focus on exploring the open world. The game creates large worlds filled with different enemies, dungeons, and quests.
You can choose from four classes and improve your character as you progress. Crafting also lets you create weapons, armor, potions, and other useful items. You can even tame pets that help you during combat or act as mounts.
RPG games like Cube World have become very popular. Many titles of this genre are now available on smartphones as well. If you own an iPhone and want to play games of this genre, it will be worth it to read my guide on the best mobile RPG iPhone games. This guide will give you plenty of options to enjoy on your smartphone.
Why try it?
- It creates new worlds with many different areas to explore.
- Four character classes offer different ways to play.
- Pets can fight alongside you.
- Online co-op lets you explore with other players.
3. Dinkum
- Genre: Survival life-sim
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
- Pricing: $19.99
- Best for: Relaxed town-building
Dinkum is a sandbox life simulation game set on an island inspired by rural Australia. You can collect resources, mine, fish, hunt, farm, and build your own town. The game also lets you raise animals and invite new residents to your settlement.
You have plenty of freedom to decide how your town should look and what activities you want to focus on. This game has a slightly higher system requirement compared to other titles, but you can still play it on a gaming laptop under $1000 without facing any issues.
Dinkum supports single-player and multiplayer, which makes it a good choice for relaxed sandbox gameplay.
Why try it?
- Mining, farming, fishing, and hunting keep the world busy.
- Your town can be built and customized the way you want.
- Animal raising adds another activity to the game.
- Multiplayer lets you build and explore with friends.
4. LEGO Worlds
- Genre: Sandbox adventure
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Pricing: $29.99
- Best for: Creative/family building
LEGO Worlds is a sandbox game that gives you randomly created worlds made from LEGO bricks. You can build structures brick by brick or use different tools to change land around you.
The game also lets you find characters, creatures, vehicles, and other items while exploring each world. There are many ways to build and customize your surroundings, making it a good option for creative players. You can also play with friends through its multiplayer features.
Why try it?
- LEGO bricks make building more creative and familiar.
- Terrain tools let you change entire parts of the world.
- Vehicles and creatures add variety to exploration.
- Multiplayer allows you to build with friends.
5. Outpath
- Genre: Sandbox simulation
- Platforms: PC
- Pricing: $14.99
- Best for: Relaxed automation/crafting
Outpath is a first-person sandbox game focused on gathering, crafting, building, and automation. You start with limited resources and gradually expand your territory by unlocking new islands and blueprints.
Mining, fishing, crafting, and building are important parts of the gameplay. You can also automate different tasks to make resource collection easier.
Unlike Minecraft, Outpath does not put much pressure on you with survival mechanics. This makes it a good option for players who prefer relaxed sandbox gameplay.
Why try it?
- Resource gathering keeps you busy as you expand your base.
- Automation makes collecting resources easier over time.
- New islands give you more space to explore and build.
- The relaxed gameplay does not focus heavily on survival.
6. PixARK
- Genre: Survival RPG
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Pricing: $19.99
- Best for: Dinosaur taming and combat
PixARK is a voxel-based survival game where you can build, explore, and interact with dinosaurs. You can explore a large world, gather resources, craft equipment, and build your own base. What I like the most about PixARK is the ability to tame, train, and ride different creatures.
The game includes more than 100 creatures, including dinosaurs and mythical beasts. You can also improve your character through skill trees and play in different modes. Solo play, PvE, PvP, and multiplayer servers are available as well.
Why try it?
- Dinosaurs add a different twist to voxel survival gameplay.
- Over 100 creatures can be tamed and ridden.
- Skill trees give you more ways to improve your character.
- PvE and PvP modes support different playstyles.
7. The Planet Crafter
- Genre: Survival crafting
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
- Pricing: $23.99
- Best for: Peaceful terraforming goals
Last but not least, Planet Crafter is a survival crafting game where your main goal is to turn an uninhabitable planet into a livable world. You need to collect resources, craft equipment, build a base, and manage oxygen, water, and health.
As you progress, machines help increase the planet’s heat, oxygen, and atmospheric pressure. The planet slowly changes as you continue. What you’re going to like about The Planet Crafter is that there are no enemies to fight. So, exploration and survival are the main challenges you have to face.
Why try it?
- Terraforming gives you a clear goal as you progress.
- Resource gathering and crafting drive the gameplay.
- Base building gives you a place to expand and organize.
- Peaceful survival makes it different from traditional survival games.
Which Game Should You Try First?
All the games discussed here give the best experience. However, I personally love Dinkum. It’s one of those games that gives me freedom to build my own town and explore the island. If you want to play a game with dinosaurs and survival features, you can start with PixARK.
As a gamer, you already know that each title has different features and gameplay. So, the choice ultimately depends on your personal preference and gaming style.
But I highly recommend trying all of these 7 games like Minecraft because they will give you a different sandbox experience.
Final Words
Minecraft may still be your favorite sandbox game, but these alternatives can give you a similar experience. From building towns in Dinkum to taming dinosaurs in PixARK, each game has something different to offer.
My favorite is Dinkum, but you may enjoy another title more based on your gaming style. Try these games like Minecraft and find the one that gives you the sandbox experience you enjoy the most.
