10 Fun Games Like Minecraft You’ll Get Hooked On

When people ask me for games like Minecraft, they’re usually in the same spot I was a few years back. You hit that point where you still love building, mining, exploring, all of it, but you want something fresh. A twist. Maybe new tools. Or new mobs. Or a whole new map style. After writing about minecraft alternatives and sandbox building games for years, I’ve learned which titles hit the same sweet spot and which ones fall flat.

So I put together this list from actual playtime and notes, not random picks. I’ve tested most of these on PC, some on console, some on mobile. A few even on old laptops where the fans sound like they’re going to fly away. If you want games similar to Minecraft with that same simple loop, this is where I’d tell any friend to start.

Best Games Like Minecraft You’ll Get Hooked On

These games cover different styles. Some lean into voxel games, some go deep into survival crafting games, and some focus more on building and calm exploring. I’ll go one by one.

1. Terraria

Terraria gets called “2D Minecraft” almost every week, and I get why. But it’s more than that. It moves faster. It pushes you into combat sooner. It still has mining and crafting, but the way you explore feels more open in some ways.

If you like open world crafting games with lots of tools and biomes, Terraria hits hard. The bosses are wild too. They’re not scary, but they’re loud and bright and fun when you beat them.

Terraria also scratches the itch for crafting and building games but in a side-view space that keeps things simple. I pull it up when I want a short run that still feels like I did something.

2. Roblox

Not the whole platform, but certain Roblox modes offer solid minecraft alternatives. You’ll find block building, survival maps, and even role-play stuff built by players. Some modes copy Minecraft down to simple farming or crafting loops.

Roblox works best for younger players or folks who want family friendly sandbox games. And it runs on anything. Cheap laptops. Phones. Old PCs. That makes it one of the top kids games like Minecraft you can get without paying.

3. Lego Worlds

Lego Worlds feels like someone mixed Minecraft with a huge toy box. The blocks snap together cleanly, and everything has that shiny Lego look. You can build on open maps or explore random ones.

People who want creative sandbox games usually enjoy this one. I like the freedom to shape the land with simple tools. You can carve hills. Build towers. Drop houses. And because it’s Lego, the tone stays light.

If you want building and exploration games without serious survival rules, Lego Worlds is a safe pick.

4. Rust

Rust isn’t calm. Let’s be honest. This is the rough side of the survival crafting games category. But it still lands on lists of base building survival games because it has one of the strongest crafting loops in any online game.

You wake up with nothing. You gather wood. Build a shack. Upgrade the shack. Then someone blows up the shack. And you do it again. Over time, you learn how to defend yourself.

Rust fits people who want something from the open world survival games group that has more tension. If you only want peaceful play, look elsewhere, but if you like challenge and wild stories, Rust pulls you in.

5. Eco

Eco is one of the smartest games I’ve played. It’s about building a working society. You gather wood, stone, plants, but every choice affects the land. You balance progress with impact.

This game works for fans of indie sandbox games who want depth. It’s slow at the start, but once your server grows, it feels like a tiny town with rules made by players.

Eco also hits the crafting survival games angle and blends it with roles like farming, mining, or research. It’s one of the few games where the community makes the experience.

6. Subnautica

Subnautica swaps forests for deep water. You explore oceans, gather plants, scan creatures, and build underwater bases. It’s not block-based, but it gives the same wonder you get when you first step into a new Minecraft biome.

This fits well for folks who want exploration sandbox games that feel big but calm. There’s danger, but it’s quiet danger. And the base building system may be one of the cleanest in any survival title.

Players looking for block style adventure games may see this as a stretch, but trust me, Minecraft fans love Subnautica for the same reasons: freedom, building, and a sense of growth.

underwater crafting base in subnautica style

7. Craft the World

Craft the World looks cute, but it’s deeper than you think. You control a group of tiny dwarves. They gather stuff, mine tunnels, and build rooms the way you tell them.

This one feels like Minecraft mixed with a simple strategy game. Folks who enjoy mining and crafting games love how easy it is to set tasks and watch your team work.

It’s also good for anyone who wants pc games like Minecraft that don’t need a lot of power. It runs well on older computers.

8. Portal Knights

Portal Knights brings light RPG elements to the voxel games space. It has skills, levels, spells, gear, and a big mix of small islands you hop between. Each island has different materials.

If you want action mixed with crafting, this works. It’s also one of the stronger block building games for players who want smoother visuals.

The game also fits well into the crafting rpg games category. Builders who want quests and gear progression usually stay hooked.

9. Trove

Trove plays fast. Very fast. It’s a big multiplayer sandbox game with combat, dungeons, mounts, and a ton of cosmetic stuff. All in bright blocky landscapes.

It fits the “easy to pick up” style. You can build a home, explore maps, join clubs, or just run around smashing things. It’s a strong pick if you want survival voxel games without the stressful side of survival.

Trove is also perfect if you want free games like Minecraft that look good and run smooth.

10. Don’t Starve Together

This will surprise people. It’s not blocky at all, but it sits in the class of adventure sandbox games where crafting and survival are the heart of the loop. You gather food, build camps, fight odd creatures, and try to stay alive.

The tone is dark, but the style is hand-drawn and unique. People who want crafting games for pc that push you a little harder usually pick this one after Minecraft.

It also works well for friends since the co-op mode is strong.

More Games Similar to Minecraft Worth Mentioning

Some games didn’t make the main list but still hit the same mood.

Rising World fits the list of low poly sandbox games and has great building tools.
Creativerse is a clean pick for block graphics games with more structure.
Survivalcraft is one of the top mobile games like Minecraft for small screens.

I could go on, but those three help round out the choices.

A Quick Feature Table to Compare the Games

Game	Style	Crafting	Building	Survival	Platforms
Terraria	2D sandbox	Strong	Moderate	Medium	PC, console, mobile
Lego Worlds	Creative	Simple	Strong	None	PC, console
Rust	PvP survival	Strong	Strong	High	PC, console
Eco	Social sim	Deep	Strong	Low	PC
Subnautica	Ocean survival	Strong	Good	Medium	PC, console
Trove	Voxel MMO	Light	Good	Light	PC, console
Portal Knights	RPG sandbox	Good	Good	Medium	PC, console
Roblox (modes)	Mixed	Varies	Varies	Low	PC, mobile
Craft the World	Strategy-sandbox	Strong	Good	Medium	PC
Don’t Starve Together	Survival	Good	Light	High	PC, console

What Makes a Good Minecraft Alternative?

I’ve learned people look for a few things across all minecraft alternatives. Doesn’t matter if it’s 2D, 3D, blocky, smooth, cartoon-ish, whatever. It comes down to:

freedom
small tasks that add up
simple building
clear rewards
a map that makes you want to walk one more step

Some prefer calm building. Some want tougher fights. Others want big servers with lots of players. That’s why the best sandbox games 2025 come in all styles. No single game fills every need.

Why Minecraft Fans Spread Across So Many Genres

I’ve noticed Minecraft fans split into three groups.

One group likes creative sandbox games. They want space to build and shape land.
Another group loves open world survival games where everything tries to push back.
The last group wants building and exploration games with a soft story, quests, or small goals.

Minecraft hits all three, which is rare. That’s why no one game beats it. Instead, you pick a mix depending on your mood.

Which Game Should You Try First?

Based on players I’ve helped, these picks usually land well:

Terraria if you want fast progress
Subnautica if you want calm exploring
Eco if you like teamwork
Lego Worlds if you want light fun
Trove if you want online play
Rust only if you like chaos

If you want the closest match to the core loop of games like Minecraft, Terraria and Creativerse sit right at the center. The rest twist the formula in fun ways.