The blocky sandbox sensation known asMinecraftcame out of nowhere, launching into phenom status after starting with humble origins as an indie project by Markus “Notch” Persson. This vast, open-ended experience has helped pave the way for a new era of open-world software and helped spur the rise of indie gaming at large.
Gamers have since been captivated by the expansive landscapes, rewarding building mechanics, and thrilling survival gameplay. While one can theoretically pour hundreds of hours into this massive digital playground of blocks, there will inevitably be those seeking similar content. What are some of thebest games likeMinecraft?
Now,Palworldis not especially similar toMinecraft. Pocket Pair’s early access project takes inspiration from quite a few sources, and Mojang’s masterpiece is not specifically among them; however, fans of the latter are likely to have a blast with the former as they are capable of scratching very similar itches. Both are sandbox survival games that grant players quite a bit of freedom, including the ability to craft buildings. While not quite as unrestricted asMinecraft,Palworldstill provides an enjoyable base-building system that is elevated by the inclusion of Pals, monsters that players can catch and assign roles within their homestead.
Palworldshould not work anywhere near as well as it does. Combining multiple genres and concepts, the game should buckle under the weight of its ambition; yet, nearly everything clicks to create an experience quite unlike anything else on the market. BothMinecraftandPalworlddemonstrate that the sky is the limit for the indie market. Even though it is still too early to guarantee its longevity, there is nothing to suggest thatPalworldwill not remain a fixture of the gaming landscape for years.
While it’s not quiteMinecraftin spaceas some might have gathered, this delightful indie brings a celestial twist to some of that game’s fundamentals.Astroneerfeatures space-themed exploration, item crafting, assembly, and loads of survival gameplay to boot.
Set in the 25th century, this one goes well beyond the bounds of Earth, as players assume the role of an astronaut set to explore, gather materials, and settle interplanetary. While not crawling with enemies like Mojang’s game,Astroneertests players' mettle in different ways, namely through the hostile environment. Everything from deadly plants to suffocation and active geysers can harm this brave astronaut.
Those into the more dangerous elements ofMinecraft– i.e. roaming through the wilderness with few weapons and resources – should enjoy this far-flashier game. Jurassic in scale and motifs, Studio Wildcard’sArkprovides a sense of wonder and heart-pounding thrills that are rarely matched. Players will be on the edge of their seats fending off reptilians as well as other humans, often with simple, cobbled-together weapons.
Players can choose to venture through the hostile, prehistoric wilderness solo, or team up with others (even form large tribes online). Each mode has a unique dynamic — but both prove fun and exciting in their own way.Arkplayers have to deal with a fairly steep learning curve and ample grinding, thoughMinecraftfans are no strangers to either. And really, the vulnerabilities early on just makeArkthat much more rewarding when overcoming them.
In early access,Dyson Sphere Programis a strategy factory sim that has been generally well received by the Steam populace.Players are put in charge of crafting an energy source that can fuel humanity’s existence, which is largely confined to virtual reality. The process involves carrying out research, acquiring resources, and gradually expanding productivity, an endeavor that typically requires heading to other planets.
Dyson Sphere Programis still a work in progress, but the current version is quite impressive and robust in its own right. The developer released a combat update toward the end of 2023, an addition that added a new dynamic to the gameplay loop.
Infamously garnering widespread criticism at launch,No Man’s Sky’s redemption story is nothing short of remarkable. Hello Games deserves all the praise in the world for sticking by its project and releasing years' worth of substantial updates, resulting in an experience that is now among the most complete and diverse in the sandbox genre.No Man’s Skyis an easy recommendation for people who enjoy slow-paced open-world projects.
Now,MinecraftandNo Man’s Sky’s core gameplay are not especially similar, and they largely focus on different things. The former is defined by its creative crafting; conversely, the latter focuses more on exploration, although crafting is still a major part of the overall package. Still, fans of one game are likely to get a kick out of the other.
Given the source material, the inclusion of this spin-off might be a no-brainer, yetMinecraft Dungeonsactually resembles isometric crawlers likeDiabloandGauntletfar more than its open-world cousin. At the same time, fans should appreciate the ampleMinecraftreferences and charming blocky visuals, not to mention loads of combat and item gathering.
While fairly simplistic and crude mechanically, this romp does just enough to get players hooked. The core game is somewhat short at five or six hours, butMinecraft Dungeonskeeps players coming back with a cool magic system, rewarding progression, and vast dungeons crawling with foes. It doesn’t hurt that thesprawling DLC packsand tough Apocalypse mode add even more to the mix.
Another spin-off,Minecraft Legendstakes a stab at the strategy genre, albeit with an action-focused gameplay loop. Similar toDungeons, this title seems to be designed to function as a gateway option to a genre that tends to primarily attract hardcore players. The result is a game that incorporates most strategy fundamentals, just in a simplified form.
Ultimately,Minecraft Legendsis more likely to satisfy fans of the original title who want to spend more time in this universe than die-hard strategy fans. The spin-off also retains some crafting and building mechanics, although they are not as deep as inMinecraft.
Pathea Games’My Time at Portiais a cute take onMinecraftandThe Sims,with some RPG elements tossed in for good measure. One wouldn’t know it from the whimsical themes, but the game takes place following the collapse of civilization, from which point, emerging from the (literal) underground, players must rebuild.
The goals are to collect resources to craft items, allowing advancement through better tools which give way to more goodies and town expansion. At the same time, players can gain wealth and town favor, as well as take on various dungeon foes.
As the name implies,Rafttakes place in a single, vulnerable location, which remains adrift in the hostile seas. Sweedish studio Redbeet Interactive takes the “craft desperately to survive” premise ofMinecraftand whittles it down to a small and secluded — but exciting— raft setting for much of its gameplay.
Many of the thrills don’t necessarily involve this wooden lifeline itself, but rather, the action surrounding it. Players will scramble to build upon and reinforce their raft, all while hooking objects or diving in the water to get precious resources and stay alive, along with fending hungry sharks and other creatures.
Fans surely know of those particularly tense moments inMinecraftthat involve scrambling to build a makeshift fortress to live out the hostile night. Well, they can look atCraft The Worldas a more fleshed-out, two-dimensional version of that experience,with some fun tower defense elements.
This colorful romp by Dekovir is described as a blend ofDungeon Keeper,Terraria, andDwarf Fortress, which comes through given the versatility in the building and survival features.Craft the Worldoffers tons of rewarding gameplay as players command a band of dwarves to craft, build, and fend off the things that go bump in the night.
