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Reviewed by Benjamin Barr
All mined out and ready for a new adventure?
There are a ton of excellent games like Minecraft that offer a similar level of excitement and creative possibility. Whether you prefer to build epic forts, slay treacherous creatures, or explore the open world – we’ve got a range of thrilling titles to show you. And they’re all but guaranteed to knock your blocks off.
In this article, we go over 10 of the best Minecraft alternatives to help you find a new gem for your library. Ready to see them? Let’s get started.
What is a Game Like Minecraft, Anyway?
Before we dive into the list, it’s worth asking: what is a game like Minecraft? To answer that, we’ll need to look at Minecraft itself.
Minecraft is a sandbox/survival game about harvesting resources, crafting items, and keeping safe from dastardly Creepers.
The game takes place on a vast procedurally-generated 3D island made up of millions of tiny cubes. Almost every cube on the island can be mined and crafted into any number of awesome tools, weapons, and buildings.
There are a ton of different ways to play, but the standard game mode places you on an empty, procedurally-generated island, with nothing but your will to survive. It’s the perfect blend of high-stakes survival and sandbox-style gameplay. And its magic formula has established a massive community of over 112 million monthly users.
Now, think for a second. What is it about Minecraft that you love the most?
Is it the building? The exploration? The struggle for survival? Think about it, and keep the answer in mind as we check out the following list of games like Minecraft. It’ll help you find the one(s) you’re most likely to enjoy.
10 Best Games Like Minecraft
Without further ado, it’s time to check out the best Minecraft alternatives! Working our way from #10, let’s dive right in.
10. Roblox
- Website: roblox.com
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Xbox One, iOS, Android
- Genre: MMO / GCS
- Developer: Roblox Corporation
- Release: September 1, 2006
Like Minecraft, Roblox is all about creating your own fun. As such, the game features MMO-style gameplay, where players can visit different servers and interact with each other. But that’s not all. It also features a full-fledged game creation system that lets you build and play with your own designs. Whatever you can dream, you can make!
The world creation happens in Roblox Studio, which gives players total control over the layout and rules of their designs via object-oriented programming. If you’re technically minded and enjoy playing with Redstone Circuits in Minecraft, Roblox is one you don’t want to miss.
9. Eco
- Website: eco.com
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Genre: Simulation / Survival
- Developer: Strange Loop Game
- Release: February 6, 2018
The sky is falling! No, seriously. There’s an impending meteor strike, and it’s your job to build a civilization, develop technology, and destroy the threat before it wipes everything out.
Starting from scratch, you’re in control of the entire operation. Manage resources, craft goods, build structures, and plan for the future. But don’t forget: this is a survival game, and the clock is ticking.
But you’ll need to be careful, as everything in Eco is interconnected. Cut too many trees, and you’ll run low of oxygen. Forget to harvest the crops, and you’ll run out of food. You must continually consider the consequences of your actions… or your civilization will collapse and the world will end. But no pressure.
Eco is a fantastic game for players who enjoy challenging simulators and survival games.
8. Don’t Starve
- Website: klei.com/dont-starve
- Platform: Various
- Genre: Survival
- Developer: Klei Entertainment
- Release: April 23, 2013
In Don’t Starve, you have one job, and one job only: survive.
Assume control of Wilson as he navigates a devilish world of horror and darkness. Keep him alive as long as possible, carefully monitoring his nourishment levels and sanity. And be vigilant! Demons lurk in the shadows, waiting for the chance to strike.
The world of Don’t Starve is randomly generated and combines the best elements of survival and horror games. This makes it a fantastic title for survivalists and players who appreciate the Tim Burton inspired graphics.
7. Terasology
- Website: terasology.org
- Platform: Windows
- Genre: Sandbox
- Developer: Open-Source
- Release: May 25, 2012
No, that’s not Minecraft. The screenshot you see above is from a game called Terasology.
Terasology is an open-source title that’s (obviously) inspired by Minecraft. It boasts many of the same sandbox/survival mechanics, with a few pleasant surprises, including the ability to build up your very own army of minions!
What’s neat about Terasology is that the entire game is developed by a team of volunteers who are passionate about the project. Pretty cool, right? Terasology is an excellent choice for gamers who like the community aspect of Minecraft and want something a bit more intimate.
6. Rust
- Website: rust.com
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, PS4
- Genre: Survival
- Developer: Facepunch Studios
- Release: December 11, 2013
Like many of the other options on our list of games like Minecraft, Rust is all about survival. Start the game with nothing but the clothes on your back, and get to work. Explore the map, set up a small encampment, and do whatever it takes to make it through the day.
Sound like a challenge? It is. But there’s one other thing we forgot to mention. Rust is a multiplayer game, and there are other players on the same map hellbent on killing you!
Rust is one of the most fun and exciting survival games around. It’s especially suitable for Minecraft fans who enjoy a little competition.
5. Terraria
- Website: terraria.org
- Platform: Various
- Genre: Action-Adventure / Sandbox
- Developer: Re-Logic
- Release: May 16, 2011
Terraria is the 2D Minecraft. Drop into a procedurally-generated world with nothing but a harvesting tool and a propensity for mischief and adventure. Gather your bearings, then embark on a grand journey as you explore the land and design your world.
Like Minecraft, crafting is a big part of the game. As such, you’ll need to harvest materials, fashion yourself a weapon, build a fort, and keep away from the baddies. You can burrow deep underground or build a skyscraper to the sky – the choice is yours! The only expectation is that you have fun.
The best thing about Terraria? It’s available for every major device, and it’s a great option for PC players with less powerful machines.
4. Lego Worlds
- Website: legoworlds.com
- Platform: Windows, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
- Genre: Sandbox
- Developer: Traveller’s Tales
- Release: March 7, 2017
Collect blocks and use them to craft anything you can imagine. Construct with friends and show off your designs for everyone to see!
Sound familiar? Back in the day, Lego was Minecraft! And with the release of Lego Worlds, the little children’s toy is back in a big way.
Lego Worlds is a sandbox game made up of virtual Lego bricks. Explore the procedurally-generated world, or design your own using the Brick-by-Brick Editor Tool. It’s your childhood all over again! Lego Worlds is available on all major platforms from PC to Nintendo Switch, and it’s a great Minecraft alternative for kids and adults alike.
3. Fortnite
- Website: epicgames.com/fortnite
- Platform: Various
- Genre: Battle Royale
- Developer: Epic Games
- Release: July 25, 2017
Are you a fan of Minecraft’s competitive game modes and building mechanics? If so, Fortnite is the game for you.
Board the battle bus with 99 other players, then drop into a sandbox island arena in a fight to the death! Collect resources and weapons, and use your cunning and precision building skills to crank out a victory royale. Fortnite boasts a thriving community of fans, and is a lot of fun to play with friends. And there’s good news for more imaginative players, as Epic Games recently released Creative Mode, where you can build your own island adventure! Fortnite is a game like Minecraft that you don’t want to miss.
Fun fact: the battle royale genre got its start in Minecraft years ago, when players set up Hunger Games inspired servers in a fight to the death. Just look how far it’s come!
2. Cube World
- Website: cubeworld.com
- Platform: Windows
- Genre: Action / RPG
- Developer: Picroma
- Release: September 30, 2019
First announced all the way back in 2011, Cube World takes the voxel-based design of Minecraft and mixes in thrilling RPG elements. Become the Warrior, Ranger, or Mage of your dreams, and venture forth to explore a procedurally generated game world full of intrigue and magic.
Cube World is an excellent option for PVMers, as you’re pit against powerful monsters from the deep that take real strategy and wit to overcome. It’s also great for crafters, thanks to a thorough loot system full of exciting possibilities. Cube World was one of the most anticipated releases of 2019, and the servers are filled with fellow gaming enthusiasts. Jump in and experience the magic for yourself!
1. Trove
- Website: trove.com
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Xbox One, PS4
- Genre: Sandbox / MMO
- Developer: Trion Worlds
- Release: July 9, 2015
Love the blocky look of Minecraft? You’ll absolutely adore the World of Trove, our #1 pick for best Minecraft alternative.
Design your character, sharpen your sword, and embark on a grand adventure to battle the forces of Shadow. Trove is the blocky 3D MMO you’ve been searching for.
Make new friends with the game’s massive population of fellow players, and team up to explore dungeons full of insidious 3D monsters. Collect epic loot, and create everything you can imagine using the game’s feature-rich crafting system, from powerful in-game weapons to new landmarks on the map. Trove is limitless.
The best part? Trove is free to play on PC, Mac, and console! Check it out today.
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