The best games like Minecraft could probably include both Minecraft Dungeons and Minecraft Legends, but while they’re both definitely set in the same universe, they’re not actually all that similar when it comes to gameplay. Minecraft isn’t just about the aesthetic, it’s about the creativity it inspires.
While many view Minecraft as a sandbox creative game, it’s actually got a lot of elements of the best survival games too. It means that games like Minecraft have a lot of potential boxes to tick and areas they could slot in. Thankfully for you, that means that there are a lot of excellent games on this list that feel either like Minecraft as a whole, or just a specific aspect. So, let’s dive into the list.
1. Terraria
Platforms:
- PC
- Nintendo Switch
- Xbox
- PS4
- Mobile
- Probably your microwave if it’s fancy enough
A lot of people just write Terraria off as a 2D Minecraft, and those people are not only wrong, but will be judged poorly by historians when they look back upon this time period in much the same way flat-earthers will. While Terraria does undoubtedly have aspects of Minecraft, namely the building and mining stuff, it’s so much more than that.
Terraria has a robust class and weapons system that means you can play as a melee build wielding yo-yos to take out Cthulhu, who is the end boss in all but name, or play as a summoner and just sit back while your UFO friends take care of everything for you. There are also loads of NPCs to appease as well, and when you add in the vast library of mods available thanks to Tmodloader, you could play Terraria for the rest of time and still not see everything.
2. Dragon Quest Builders 2
Platforms:
Dragon Quest Builders 2 isn’t just an incredibly delightful game set in the wonderful world of Dragon Quest, it’s also easily one of the best games like Minecraft. While Minecraft is generally viewed as a game where you make your own fun, Dragon Quest Builders 2 offers a slightly more guided version of things.
You get to build up towns in different biomes to protect the inhabitants and make their lives better. You also get to go out and engage in some of the most adorable monsters seen in games. Sure, they’ll still mess you up, but they’re pretty cute even when doing so.
3. Satisfactory
Platforms:
Satisfactory is what happens when someone who likes Minecraft just wishes they could automate more stuff. This first-person game still does have exploration and combat in it, but it’s a lot more about creating your own factories from scratch. You can play it with friends too, making it a great way to get your minds all working as one.
Satisfactory is basically all about the construction line. You need to mix and match conveyor belts with different power mechanisms, forges, and everything else you can think of, to always be building towards the next upgrade, which will then allow you to reach ever higher. It’s a little too granular for some people, but for those who love it, there’s nothing else that comes close.
4. Forager
Platforms:
Forager is what you could comfortably call a minimalist version of Minecraft. There’s building, there’s combat, there’s foraging, but it’s a little less intense than in a lot of the other Minecraft-likes. The game has your cute little character mining, chopping, and fighting in a more idle fashion, and you get to explore a cool world with interesting creatures and things to do.
This basically takes the likes of Minecraft and distills it into bite-sized chunks. It’s especially good on mobile, because you can absolutely do some good stuff while sitting on the toilet, but it’s fun to play on any platform thanks to its simple gameplay and adorable graphics. This is a great one for younger gamers especially, as there’s a little less button-mastery needed to enjoy it.
5. LEGO Worlds
Platforms:
It’s only natural that there should be a LEGO game on here, because LEGO has always been real-world Minecraft, or it’s probably more accurate to say that Minecraft is just digital LEGO anyway. LEGO Worlds is perhaps the purest LEGO game out there, with a heavy focus on creativity and that sandbox experience, instead of a story set within a LEGO skin.
You get to explore procedurally generated worlds filled with LEGO models that you can take apart and put back together as you want. It’s basically just a massive digital LEGO set, so it’s an excellent choice for those playing with younger kids who might find some of the less intuitive Minecraft gameplay elements too complex or confusing.
6. No Man’s Sky
Platforms:
No Man’s Sky launched as a game that disappointed a lot of people, and not a game anyone would compare to Minecraft. However, in the nearly 7 years since it launched, this game has undergone a frighteningly impressive transformation. You still fly around and collect resources, but you can do so much more now.
Aside from being able to terraform areas and build bases as you want, whether that’s on a cliff face, underwater, or anywhere else, you can also build your own fleet of starships, have mech suits delivered to you from orbit, and basically do anything. You can even grow your own alien biological spaceships now. Just go play it; you won’t regret it.
7. Trove
Platforms:
Finally, we have Trove. Trove looks the part, but it’s actually a fairly different game to Minecraft. Instead of it being about creating bases and digging big old holes, Trove is actually about adventure and is in fact an MMO with a beautiful voxel style. You can set off as a variety of classes into a big world full of adventures and fights, do so with friends, and just have a good time.
It’s free-to-play, which is always nice, and since launch has continuously evolved into a more complex and fulfilling experience. We really like it on Switch, because it plays well there and just fits on the console in a satisfying manner, but it’s a fun time on any platform. There are some building elements though, but it’s more about having fun than building functional stuff. Go and check it out with some friends and see what you think.