29 Games Similar To The Minecraft Series
In the vast realm of sandbox games, few games have captured the imagination of players as much as Minecraft. Since its release in 2011, this pixelated phenomenon has become a cultural icon, offering endless possibilities and captivating millions with its unique blend of exploration, creativity, and survival. However, when looking for new adventures and experiences, Minecraft fans may find themselves craving something similar and yet completely different. This is where a great variety of games like Minecraft come to the rescue.
29. Factorio
- Similarity: 20 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2020
- Game play time: 90 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
Unlike "Minecraft", the game is mostly 2D, which may disappoint 3D sandbox fans at first. However, the beauty lies not in the size, but in the engineering intricacies it offers. "Factorio" tests the player's resource management, time management, and spatial planning abilities. While both games feature crafting mechanisms, "Factorio" focuses on automating production, which opens up limitless possibilities for creating automated production lines. The game's complexity can be overwhelming at first, but once players get past the basics of learning, it becomes highly addictive and intellectually stimulating. The enemy element, representing the survival factor, is perhaps less intense than in "Minecraft". In "Factorio", defending your base from alien creatures adds another level to the game, but does not dominate the gameplay, unlike the hostile mobs in "Minecraft". Multiplayer in both games takes different directions: in "Factorio" there is a greater emphasis on cooperative work to manage complex networks, while in "Minecraft" cooperative gameplay is more focused on independent work.
28. Subnautica
- Similarity: 20 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2018
- Game play time: 50 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
The game's unique focus on underwater exploration is a unique departure from the mining and building mechanics in "Minecraft". Diving into the depths of the ocean and battling oxygen adds an exciting new survival aspect. Like "Minecraft," "Subnautica" features resource gathering and crafting, but has a story component that gives the game a sense of purpose and gradualism that is sorely lacking in the endless procedurally generated worlds of "Minecraft." The graphics of "Subnautica" deserve praise. They accurately convey the feeling of being on an alien planet, with colorful flora and fauna, much more realistic and visually appealing than the blocky aesthetic. One of the game's shortcomings is the lack of a multiplayer mode.
27. Don't Starve Together
For Minecraft fans, Don't Starve Together is a completely unique survival experience. The game's hand-drawn art style provides a break from Minecraft's blocky universe, and its whimsical aesthetic is simply captivating. Compared to the easily mined resources in Minecraft, the scarcity of resources in Don't Starve Together creates a deep sense of urgency and danger. What sets the game apart is its multiplayer component, where cooperation is key to survival, much like Minecraft's multiplayer modes. This game also challenges players with powerful scientific and magical item creation systems that blend well with the survival aspects.
26. Scrap Mechanic
As the name suggests, the gameplay is based on the ability to build and modify almost anything. The variety of available materials and parts makes the item creation system interesting and dynamic. The graphics gravitate more towards an animated, colorful style that differs from Minecraft's cube-like aesthetic. Navigating the game can be tricky at first, but that's what makes it interesting.
25. Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
You play as a gnome and you need to survive. Mine resources, fight hordes of monsters and explore improvements. Survivor is something of a spinoff of Deep Rock Galactic, which can also be safely recommended. Lots of similarities with Minecraft.
24. Grounded
- Similarity: 60 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2020
- Game play time: 50 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
Grounded is a thrilling survival game developed by Obsidian Entertainment. In this game, you are reduced to the size of an ant and find yourself in a dangerous backyard world where every object and insect becomes a huge obstacle. One of the most appealing features of Grounded is its unique concept. You get to explore a world that seems huge to you, but is actually so small that you can use leaves as a bed and utilize dewdrops as a water source. This perspective creates an amazing sense of adventure and opens up new gameplay possibilities. In the Grounded game, you will face various challenges such as finding food and water, building shelters and creating weapons to defend yourself against hostile insects. You will have to fight spiders, wasps and other dangerous creatures that will try to destroy you. But despite the dangers, the game also offers plenty of mystical and mysterious places to explore and uncover their secrets. The graphics in Grounded are gorgeous and perfectly convey the scale of the world of the little heroes. The detailing of the environment and insect models is amazing, while the soundtrack creates an atmosphere of suspense and wonder. One of the advantages of the game is its cooperative mode, which allows you to play with friends and explore the dangerous world together. You will be able to work as a team to survive and overcome all the obstacles standing in your way. Overall, Grounded is an addictive game that offers a unique gameplay experience and interesting mechanics. If you love games like Minecraft and want to experience something new and exciting, Grounded is worth your attention.
23. LEGO Worlds
- Similarity: 60 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2017
- Game play time: 30 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
A charming sandbox game that offers a colorful experience, much like those that fans of the game "Minecraft" will appreciate. Construction and exploration are the main tenets of the game, which features a huge number of LEGO sets and models, as well as many worlds to discover. The game's graphics are bright and eye-catching, and the attention to detail in LEGO constructors is commendable. Each brick corresponds to its real-life counterpart, which makes it feel like an authentic LEGO. However, the game does have its flaws. The user interface is not as intuitive as I would like, and it can be difficult for those not used to this kind of game. Although worlds are procedurally generated, the lack of variety in landscapes and quests can lead to a lot of repetitiveness. As for multiplayer, the co-op mode is an interesting addition, but the lack of a competitive mode may disappoint some. Overall, despite some shortcomings, "LEGO Worlds" offers fans of LEGO and sandbox games an enjoyable experience. It doesn't reach the level of "Minecraft" in terms of freedom and creativity, but it's a worthy effort from TT Games.
22. No Man’s Sky
- Similarity: 60 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2016
- Game play time: 90 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
An exciting open sandbox and a journey into boundless space, developed by Hello Games studio. In this game you will find yourself in a vast universe full of planets, star systems, galaxies and unexplored worlds. One of the most amazing features of No Man's Sky is its procedurally generated world. Every planet, star system and galaxy is randomly generated, making every journey unique and unpredictable. You can explore the vast expanse of space, land on planets, explore their surface, discover new species of plants and animals, and interact with different races and cultures. In No Man's Sky you have the freedom of choice. You can become an explorer, a merchant, a combat pilot, or even a pirate. You can build your own base, improve your ship and equipment, and trade resources and items with other players. The graphics in the game are gorgeous and create stunning views of space landscapes, planets and a variety of creatures. The soundtrack is also delightful and helps immerse you in the atmosphere of uncharted space. One of the key features of No Man's Sky is its scale. The game's universe is vast and virtually endless, with billions of planets to explore. This creates a sense of endless possibilities and adventure. It is an amazing game that offers players a unique and one-of-a-kind space exploration experience. If you love Minecraft, as well as adventure, freedom of choice and endless expanses, then No Man's Sky is worth your attention.
21. Raft
This game focuses heavily on the survival aspect, with the player having to manage resources and build a raft while under the constant threat of ocean dangers. In contrast, "Minecraft" offers a more balanced experience of creativity, exploration, and survival. Whereas "Minecraft" captivates players with its variety of biomes, "Raft" captures the gradual expansion of exploration opportunities - islands to explore and underwater treasures, though not as extensive. The building system in "Raft" is simpler, but offers plenty of freedom to build and expand your floating home - albeit within oceanic constraints. For Minecraft fans, this can be both a plus, encouraging strategic building, and a minus, limiting creativity. Finally, the multiplayer mode in Raft is an exciting cooperative game reminiscent of Minecraft's multiplayer modes, but in a new oceanic setting.
20. Rust
- Similarity: 60 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2013
- Game play time: 80 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
The game environment of Rust is more immersive, tense and unforgiving than Minecraft. It impresses with its realistic depiction of hostile environments and threats from other players, which is quite different from the relatively comfortable and kid-friendly survival mode in "Minecraft." The game's building mechanics look like a stark, realistic upgrade to "Minecraft's" blocky aesthetic, and the craftable bases made of wood, stone, metal, etc. give the game new depth and functional utility. The lack of specific goals or end goal may frustrate some players, but may appeal to those who like open-ended gameplay and enjoy unregulated creativity or social interaction.
19. Smalland: Survive the Wilds
Very reminiscent of Grounded, which is also mentioned here. And Minecraft, of course. You're small. The world is big. So try to survive. Fight and tame insects, build shelters, create weapons and armor.
18. Fortnite
- Similarity: 70 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2017
- Game play time: 100 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
The game combines survival, shooting, and building mechanics. Unlike "Minecraft," where building is the center of the game, in "Fortnite" it's a strategic tool used in the heat of battle, offering defense options and tactical advantages that can dramatically change the outcome of a battle. The bright, cartoonish visual style of "Fortnite" contrasts with the pixelated, blocky aesthetic of "Minecraft." It is highly appealing and is designed to appeal to a wide range of gamers. Constant updates with seasonal changes and new challenges constantly refresh the gameplay. A key drawback for fans of "Minecraft" may be the fast paced and competitive nature of "Fortnite". The lack of a relaxed creative mode where players build at their own pace may frustrate some players.
17. Garry’s Mod
Garry's Mod, a sandbox game, offers an intriguing mix of creativity and chaos. Similar to Minecraft, it invites players to create their own stories instead of a fixed storyline. However, Garry's Mod is more of a sandbox for the imagination, rendered in 3D, and has fewer survival elements than Minecraft.
16. Junk Jack
In Junk Jack, you mine blocks, collect resources, build and customize your world. While the concept of the game is familiar to Minecraft fans, the added progression systems, item crafting options, and rich variety of worlds to explore provide an engaging and addictive gameplay experience. The developers at Pixbits have done a great job of presenting a game that both replicates and innovates on the sandbox genre with multiple planets offering different environmental mechanics.
15. Portal Knights
The game successfully combines the iconic sandbox gameplay with role-playing and adventure aspects. Crafting, a key element of any sandbox game, is simplified and easy to control. Combat, on the other hand, looks more realistic and pleases with a good balance between strategy and execution. Quests and boss battles add dynamics to the gameplay, and NPCs bring variety. However, the narrative feels somewhat sparse. The multiplayer is also lacking in variety. Portal Knights tries to combine a lot of elements, and while not all of them are equally successful, it succeeds quite well. It's a worthy choice for those looking for an adventure-filled alternative to Minecraft.
14. Roblox
A unique gaming platform that allows players to create their own game worlds and share them with other players. Very reminiscent of Minecraft. Roblox's versatility is undoubtedly its main advantage. The platform features a huge number of user-created games, from role-playing games to racing and survival games. This fosters creativity and provides opportunities for aspiring game designers. However, the quality of games can vary greatly as they are user-created, which sometimes leads to the game becoming uninteresting. The graphics, although simple and stylized, may not appeal to everyone. One of the main advantages of Roblox is that you can play it for free without making in-game purchases. But be aware that in some games, these purchases are heavily enforced, which can lead to a "pay to win" feeling. Overall, Roblox offers a unique community-based gaming experience, but it may not suit everyone's tastes, especially those looking for consistently high quality graphics and gameplay.
13. Blockstorm
Blockstorm has an excellent balance of combat and building action - players can erect defensive barriers or plan sneak attacks by bursting through walls. The customization feature is quite impressive, allowing players to create their own characters and weapons, increasing the replayability of the game. Offering a variety of game modes, Blockstorm caters to different gameplay styles. Minecraft fans should enjoy it.
12. Cubic Castles
The game is characterized by interactive and social elements that allow for co-op play. The graphics, despite its simplicity, emphasizes the charm of the game thanks to smooth 3D cubes. The variety of blocks and items gives freedom of creativity, which will surely appeal to Minecraft fans. Gameplay consists of resource gathering, building, and socializing in the community. The item creation system is enjoyable, and the exploration factor only adds to the sense of adventure. One important feature, kingdom ownership, allows players to control their own regions.
11. PixARK
PixARK can be characterized as a hybrid of the dinosaur-infested world of ARK: Survival Evolved and the voxel-based aesthetic of Minecraft. While PixARK successfully combines elements of these two popular games, it fails to create a single, exceptional gameplay experience. Visually, the game is visually appealing with colorful, pixelated landscapes and plenty of adorable dinosaurs and creatures. The game's PvE and PvP modes cater to different gaming preferences, making PixARK a versatile game. However, the imbalance in difficulty levels and lack of adequate in-game hints may frustrate players. A distinctive feature of the game is the taming mechanic, which allows for detailed interaction with a variety of creatures, reminiscent of ARK.
10. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Similarity: 80 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2023
- Game play time: 80 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
You find yourself in a fairytale world where you have to fight evil. In addition to exploring the world and missions, you are free to build various things, such as a robot with flamethrowers, or an airplane with spears. Building is not the core of the game, as in Minecraft, but it is a very useful feature that makes it easier to pass.
9. Trove
- Similarity: 80 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2015
- Game play time: 40 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
A vibrant voxel-based MMORPG that often evokes comparisons to Minecraft due to similar building elements, but is more firmly grounded in the RPG genre. The game takes you into an attractive universe made up of a variety of realms. Each has its own unique aesthetic, making exploration interesting and somewhat unexpected. The class system in Trove is well laid out. Offering all sorts of classes, from gunslingers to barbarians, each with unique abilities, it gives the game considerable depth. The crafting and building mechanics are well suited for Minecraft fans. However, some may find that Trove overcomplicates these aspects through an over abundance of resources and stations, which may not appeal to fans of simplicity. Although battles seem more dynamic, the lack of difficulty levels is sometimes frustrating. In addition, Minecraft's virtually unlimited freedom is somewhat hampered by Trove's MMO structure. At its core, Trove is an appealing blend of free-to-play creativity and classic RPG elements, giving Minecraft fans a new, more structured universe to inhabit and explore. In doing so, however, it sacrifices some simplicity and freedom.
8. Valheim
- Similarity: 80 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2021
- Game play time: 60 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
The game's stunningly atmospheric low-polygon visual design benefits from Minecraft's characteristic blocky aesthetic, illustrating a beautiful and sometimes surreal landscape full of mystery and danger. The engaging and enjoyable combat system leads to tense encounters, something not often seen in sandbox games. Keeping the essence of Minecraft in building and crafting, Valheim further diversifies the gameplay with a multi-level progression system and robust combat mechanics, making survival more challenging and rewarding. The introduction of sea adventures is a fresh addition to the gameplay, opening up opportunities to explore beyond the land. However, some fans of the game may find resource gathering to be highly addictive. Inexperienced survival enthusiasts may be put off by the lack of in-game guidance, and some enemies may seem repetitive over time.
7. Block Story
Block Story is a game that is sure to draw comparisons to Minecraft due to its sandbox style and blocky design. The 3D graphics are bright and eye-catching, with a smooth transition from day to night cycle, and impressive landscapes that the player can change to create their own unique world block by block. The game features quests, and RPG elements. The game features a huge assortment of blocks, creatures and biomes.
6. Boundless
Boundless differentiates itself from other games with a procedurally generated, voxel-based sandbox, reminiscent of Minecraft but offering a unique approach. The 3D universe is colorful and visually appealing. The MMO aspect allows players from around the world to seamlessly visit each other's worlds and collaborate in real-time. While Boundless doesn't revolutionize the sandbox genre, it offers enough unique features to keep fans of open-world construction games paying attention. It's a game with potential, but it requires serious dedication and patience.
5. Creativerse
Creativerse features a detailed technology tree and a more complex item creation mechanism, as opposed to just Minecraft. For some, this may prove to be an overwhelming task, but for others it can be an exciting evolution. Unique to Creativerse is the creature taming feature, allowing players to interact with the game's fauna not only in hunt or avoid mode, but also in immersion mode. One possible drawback is the inclusion of a microtransaction system. While this does not disrupt the overall gameplay, it is a significant departure from the one-time purchase model.
4. Eco
Like Minecraft, ECO is a sandbox game based on resource gathering and construction, but with a unique twist: an emphasis on ecology and the environment. The game's graphics are appealing with a detailed and colorful world that shifts from Stone Age to Industrial Age as it evolves. The concept of managing resources and maintaining balance to avoid destruction gives the game real-world relevance. The complex item creation system in ECO gives a sense of accomplishment, although it may seem daunting to new players. In addition, the game introduces social aspects, including a player-driven economy and a system of laws that enhance player interaction. However, it should be noted that ECO may lack the adventure that Minecraft fans crave, as it is more simulation-oriented. The need to constantly consider the effects of the environment may seem limiting to those who enjoy limitless creative freedom.
3. STALCRAFT
A mix of Stalker and Minecraft games in MMO format. The game is free.
2. Terraria
- Similarity: 90 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2011
- Game play time: 80 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
For Minecraft fans, the game Terraria provides an interesting alternative with a more adventurous bent. Terraria is similar to Minecraft as a "sandbox" game, allowing for creative exploration and building, but the game has a 2D retro pixel art style. Terraria focuses less on building complex structures and more on adventure. The game features multiple worlds, each filled with unique enemies and resources not found elsewhere. The game's combat system is more developed than in Minecraft, with a huge number of weapons, bosses, and events, making the game challenging and exciting. The character development system is also more advanced, with a meaningful system of armor and accessories, giving character development a sense of real progression. However, Terraria's 2D design may seem primitive to some players. The lack of aesthetic pleasure of building gorgeous 3D structures can also be disappointing. Overall, though, Terraria is a compelling blend of creative freedom, exploration, and combat, offering a different, more adventurous approach to the sandbox genre.
1. Unturned
A unique survival game made in a charming block-based style reminiscent of Minecraft. However, unlike the latter, Unturned introduces post-apocalyptic survival tactics that include zombies, focuses less on building and more on scavenging and surviving. The pixelated world is filled with endless possibilities, offering players the freedom to explore, build, and defend against constant dangers. A distinctive feature of Unturned is the cooperative multiplayer mode, in which teaming up with friends expands survival opportunities.
