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Minecraft

15 Games like Minecraft that you should try

Games like Minecraft · Find similar →

Looking for games like Minecraft? The NextGameLike editorial team analyzed its gameplay DNA — sandbox freedom, dark, oppressive atmosphere and a sandbox world — against over 6,700 titles. These 15 alternatives are ranked by real similarity, not marketing tags. Terraria leads with 83/100, followed by the rest of the list.

NextGameLike82/ 100

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GenreSandboxSubgenreCrafting Sandbox
Tags
DarkOfflineSolo
Year 2016Dev Mojang Studios

Quick answer

The closest game to Minecraft is Terraria — scoring 83/100 on our similarity scale. Scrap Mechanic and Space Engineers follow close behind.

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Top games similar to Minecraft

15 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Minecraft. Each one has been evaluated across 20 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

1

Terraria

83
NGL86
Terraria
Closest on genre
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerCo-opOnlineDarkSandbox WorldOpen WorldHorrorFantasyCraftingExplorationPixel Art
Year 2011Dev Engine Software · 505 GamesPlaytime ~15hOn PC · PS · Xbox

What carries over from Minecraft is dark, oppressive atmosphere, a sandbox world and horror setting. The common ground extends to crafting mechanics and pixel art. Where the two diverge is visuals: 2D presentation.

Genre100Progression100Tone84Game mode83World82Setting78
2

Scrap Mechanic

84
NGL83
Scrap Mechanic
Closest overall match
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
MultiplayerCo-opSoloOnlineSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationCraftingFirst PersonThird Person
Year 2016Dev Axolot GamesPlaytime ~6hOn PC

Its point of contact with Minecraft is exploration and discovery, a sandbox world, and multiplayer gameplay. Both also lean on a third-person camera. What it adds of its own: melee combat and base building.

Genre100World100Game mode82Visuals82Progression78
3

Space Engineers

75
NGL76
Space Engineers
Closest on visuals
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerCo-opSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationCraftingFirst PersonThird Person
Year 2013Dev Keen Software HousePlaytime ~5hOn PC · Xbox

It comes from the same genre as Minecraft and shares exploration and discovery, a sandbox world, and single-player focus. To that it adds a first-person view. They part company on setting and game mode: this one brings a space setting.

Genre100World100Progression100Visuals84Game mode63Setting0
4

Unturned

74
NGL66
Unturned
Closest on game mode
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerCo-opOnlineDarkOpen WorldSandbox WorldHorrorExplorationCraftingFirst PersonThird Person
Year 2014Dev 505 GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

Shelved next to Minecraft for good reason: dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and horror setting. Both also lean on a first-person view and single-player focus. The distance is in tone and setting — its own ground is a casual, approachable feel and post-apocalyptic world.

Genre100World100Game mode85Visuals84Progression67Setting47
5

Stardew Valley

67
NGL92
Stardew Valley
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
MultiplayerSoloCo-opSandbox WorldOpen WorldFantasyCraftingExplorationPixel Art
Year 2016Dev ChucklefishPlaytime ~13hOn PC · PS · Xbox

The genre is the same as Minecraft’s, and with it a sandbox world, fantasy world and multiplayer gameplay. To that it adds pixel art and crafting mechanics. They part company on tone and visuals: this one brings cozy, relaxing feel and an isometric view.

Genre100World100Progression84Setting72Game mode63Visuals42
6

Starbound

67
NGL84
Starbound
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
MultiplayerCo-opSoloOnlineSandbox WorldOpen WorldCraftingExplorationPixel Art
Year 2016Dev ChucklefishPlaytime ~17hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

The genre is the same as Minecraft’s, and with it a sandbox world, multiplayer gameplay and crafting mechanics. The common ground extends to pixel art. Where the two diverge is tone and setting: a casual, approachable feel and a sci-fi setting.

Genre100Progression100Game mode84World81Visuals37Tone0
7

No Man's Sky

68
NGL76
No Man's Sky
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerCo-opOpen WorldSandbox WorldExplorationCraftingFirst PersonThird Person
Year 2016Dev Hello GamesPlaytime ~15hOn PC · PS · Xbox

Genre puts it alongside Minecraft, and so does exploration and discovery, open world exploration, and single-player focus. To that it adds a first-person view. They part company on tone and setting: this one brings strong narrative focus and a space setting.

Genre100Progression100Visuals84World77Game mode62Tone0
8

Loddlenaut

51
NGL92
Loddlenaut
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloOpen WorldSandbox WorldExplorationCraftingThird PersonPixel Art
Year 2023Dev Moon Lagoon · Secret ModePlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

The genre is the same as Minecraft’s, and with it exploration and discovery, open world exploration, and single-player focus. Both also lean on a third-person camera. The distance is in tone and setting — its own ground is a relaxing pace and a sci-fi setting.

Released 7 years after Minecraft.

Genre100World100Progression100Visuals53Game mode14Tone0
9

Potion Craft

45
NGL85
Potion Craft
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloSandbox WorldFantasyCraftingRelaxing
Year 2022Dev niceplay games · tinyBuildOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

The genre is the same as Minecraft’s, and with it a sandbox world, fantasy world and single-player focus. The common ground extends to crafting mechanics. Where the two diverge is tone and visuals: a relaxing pace and a medieval setting.

Released 6 years after Minecraft.

Genre100World73Progression59Setting29Game mode18Tone0
10

Cooking Simulator

46
NGL80
Cooking Simulator
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloCo-opSandbox WorldCraftingFirst Person
Year 2019Dev Big Cheese Studio · Forever Entertainment S.A.On PS4 · PC · Xbox

It comes from the same genre as Minecraft and shares a sandbox world, single-player focus and crafting mechanics. Both also lean on a first-person view. The distance is in tone and game mode — its own ground is a casual, approachable feel and resource management.

Released 3 years after Minecraft.

Genre100World68Visuals58Progression51Game mode39Tone0
11

Kitchen Simulator 2015

55
NGL40
Kitchen Simulator 2015
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloDarkSandbox WorldHorrorExplorationCraftingFirst Person
Year 2015Dev WhackAKey GamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC

The genre is the same as Minecraft’s, and with it dark, oppressive atmosphere, a sandbox world and horror setting. Both also lean on a first-person view and single-player focus. The distance is in game mode and tone — its own ground is a casual, approachable feel and 3D presentation.

Genre100Progression100World75Setting73Visuals39Tone25
12

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp

44
NGL78
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloSandbox WorldCraftingThird PersonIsometric
Year 2017Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · NintendoOn Android · iOS

Genre puts it alongside Minecraft, and so does a sandbox world, single-player focus and crafting mechanics. The common ground extends to a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is game mode and visuals: an isometric view.

Genre100World71Progression70Visuals38Game mode16
13

Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator

42
NGL83
Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloSandbox WorldCraftingRelaxingCozy
Year 2022Dev niceplay games · tinyBuildPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Xbox

The genre is the same as Minecraft’s, and with it a sandbox world, single-player focus and crafting mechanics. Where the two diverge is tone and setting: a relaxing pace and a medieval setting.

Released 6 years after Minecraft.

Genre100World71Progression59Game mode17Tone0Setting0
14

Don't Starve

49
Don't Starve
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerSandbox WorldOpen WorldHorrorExplorationCrafting
Year 2022Dev FrayzzLoveOn PC

Genre puts it alongside Minecraft, and so does a sandbox world, horror setting and single-player focus. Both also lean on exploration and discovery. The distance is in tone and visuals — its own ground is punishing difficulty and 2D presentation.

Released 6 years after Minecraft.

Genre100Progression100World99Setting45Game mode25Tone0
15

Poly Bridge

37
NGL81
Poly Bridge
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloSandbox WorldCraftingHardcoreCozy
Year 2016Dev Dry CactusOn Linux · Android · PC

The genre is the same as Minecraft’s, and with it a sandbox world, single-player focus and crafting mechanics. They part company on tone and setting: this one brings punishing difficulty and a cartoon aesthetic.

Genre100World73Progression70Game mode17Tone0Setting0

More similar-games lists to keep going

Found one on the list you already love? Open its own list: the games that play most like it, ranked, with the reason for each.

Explore games similar to Minecraft by category

If Minecraft left you wanting more, this is where you narrow it down. Was it the simulation or the adventure that hooked you? There is a list of just that. And if you play on PlayStation, Xbox and Mobile, filter by platform and skip the games you could not play anyway.

Rankings in the same genre

Sometimes what you want is not a Minecraft look-alike but simply the best Crafting Sandbox Games there are. That is what these rankings are for: no comparison to anything, just the highest-rated games. And if you feel like widening the net, the Sandbox Games ranking is a good way to run into something you were not expecting.