Ready for a huge world to explore?
Here are the best sandbox titles that are available to play right now on both PC and console.
Now, we’ve updated the collection to add even more of the genre’s best games.
However, the game is fairly open.
Therefore, you get plenty of freedom to do what you want.
This includes exploring planets and building things.
you might also do some farming, mining, and more.
So, there are plenty of possibilities.
Inzoi
Inzoi is a life simulation game similar to the likes of The Sims.
However, instead of managing a family, you manage an entire neighborhood.
you could customize the people, houses, scenery, and pretty much anything else.
So, you’ve got the option to potentially make the neighborhood look exactly how you desire.
The ability to directly control the people in your neighborhood can make it feel even more like your sandbox.
you’re free to make them do exactly what you want, which creates many possibilities.
The Forest
Sandbox titles are often considered calm and tranquil games.
That is not the case with The Forest, though.
This is because the game places you on a forested island with cannibals.
Your only goal is to survive.
How you go about doing that is up to you.
One thing that will certainly help is building structures and crafting items.
When it comes to the former, you could make a base for yourself or even a small village.
So, you’re able to really build a life for yourself on the cannibal island.
You have to manage the place and keep things running.
So, it’s a management simulation game.
Just watch out for escaping dinos, as they can cause plenty of issues.
Besiege
Besiege is a medieval building game with wacky physics.
In each level, you must build a vehicle from scratch with the goal of completing a specific objective.
The sandbox aspect comes into play during the vehicle-building portion of the game.
You have a lot of freedom when it comes to building your contraption.
Therefore, you might make all sorts of wild things, from tanks to helicopters.
Perhaps your creation is so strange that it cant even be categorized.
you might really flex your creative muscles.
The main goal is to stay alive and hunt for resources.
However, you’ve got the option to also do things with those resources.
Naturally, you could make standard tools.
you could also build large structures to either hide in or simply admire.
Outside of having the right resources, there arent many restrictions when it comes to building things.
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
Sandbox games can come in many different forms.
Its all about large-scale conflicts between various soldiers who have wacky physics.
Due to the wild physics in play, the battles can be ridiculous and comical.
Satisfactory
Satisfactory is a more than satisfactory first-person sandbox game.
At the start, youre placed on an alien planet with some tools.
From there, youre pretty much on your own to explore, gather resources, and build things.
Therefore, there is a goal to this sandbox title.
However, it isnt a particularly restrictive one.
You have the freedom to explore and build on your own terms.
This means constructing things like housing, logging camps, mining pits, storehouses, and much more.
The goal of the game is to create a wholesome and functional society.
There is also a real-time tactical warfare aspect, as your people can go to battle.
You have complete control over the establishment.
you’re able to place shelving, put items on those shelves, and decide prices.
So, it’s possible for you to build the exact supermarket you want when you have the funds.
You aren’t just responsible for building it, either.
You actually manage the place, too.
This means working the register and ordering stock.
Since this is a sandbox game, though, you might do things at your own pace.
That said, customers will get upset if you take too long to serve them.
Project Zomboid
Zombies and sandboxes aren’t two things that typically go together.
However, they do in the open-world isometric survival game known as Project Zomboid.
The goal of the game is to survive for as long as possible in a zombie-filled post-apocalyptic world.
There is a sandbox mode that allows you to tailor your experience.
In most modes, you have to carefully manage your money and resources to be as successful as possible.
There’s a sandbox mode, though, where money and resources are unlimited.
Therefore, you’re free to build the zoo you desire.
it’s possible for you to snag the animals, design their homes, and even change the terrain.
Palworld
Some people refer to Palworld as Pokemon with guns.
These weapons can be used to hunt these critters.
These pals will cover all your gathering needs in Palworld.
Yet, this is a sandbox title, so you have plenty of agency over what you do.
Therefore, you don’t have to kill everything you see.
you’ve got the option to also catch the creatures to serve as allies and workers.
House Flipper 2
House Flipper 2 is about cleaning, decorating, and remodeling houses.
The main mode revolves around renovating places to get them ready for the market.
You do so by completing assigned quests.
So, you have no objective or budget to stick to.
You simply have free rein to build walls, paint, and do a bit of tiling.
Or you’ve got the option to just mess around, as there are no rules or restrictions.
Roblox
Calling Roblox a sandbox game is perhaps underselling the creative freedom this title gives you.
This is a little more substantial than having the ability to make a shelter.
Naturally, how impressive your game is comes down to how creative you are.
Some people have managed tocreate some unbelievable things.
It’s perhaps worth trying Roblox as it’s free-to-play.
You are offered great freedom in making, altering, and decorating your shop.
But that isn’t all you do in the game.
So, there is a great variety in the game and you really get to tailor your experience.
Teardown
A lot of sandbox games are about building things.
Teardown, however, is all about destruction.
You’re capable of breaking down anything and everything.
You’re encouraged to target the walls of buildings as most missions require getting inside someplace.
Yet, there is also a full sandbox mode where you have complete freedom to destroy anything.
There are plenty of different ways to tear places down, too.
It’s all up to you.
So, it has a lot of mechanics you’d see in a game like Minecraft.
For instance, you’re able to break and place blocks to build new structures.
Therefore, you could continually alter the world and terrain around you.
For a hybrid game like this, the creative sandbox features are quite deep.
But this doesn’t mean that the RPG elements are minimal, as it’s a full-fledged role-playing experience.
Thus, the game impressively manages to appeal to fans of both genres.
The game gives you very few restrictions as you construct your campus.
This not only means building the classrooms.
You also put down paths and plant trees on the grounds.
Resource management is that much harder with friends.
On top of that, you get to choose what sort of classes your school teaches.
To accomplish this, you must avoid both starvation and being killed by enemies.
Except for ensuring survival, there is nothing you’re required to do.
You’re free to gather resources and build anything you desire in your randomly generated open world.
However, Tears Of The Kingdom is so open that it counts as one.
There is a concrete goal in that you have to stop Ganondorf.
For example, youralmost limitless ability to build thingssometimes allows you to bypass set puzzles.
So, it’s an action-adventure game with a sandbox world and sandbox gameplay.
Raft
This game doesn’t take a stab at complicate things with its title.
It’s called Raft because the entire game is about roaming around on a raft.
There is no goal beyond that.
You simply explore the ocean.
The craft you use to do so starts out pretty basic, as it’s just some planks.
But you could build it up to create something resembling a true boat.
you’re free to do this all with friends by your side.
This is because the place is filled with zombies.
Your goal is to survive.
The sandbox element is about how you go about doing that.
You have free reign to dig, build, and destroy in the large open world.
it’s possible for you to live how you want in this post-apocalyptic world.
Yet, it would be fair to say that’s not the main selling point of the game.
The open world is simply one big playground.
Usually, you have to work with the supplies you currently have.
Yet, the sandbox mode places no limitations on you.
Thus, you have the freedom to create any spaceship you desire.
Thankfully, the tools and mechanics of the game are incredibly in-depth and detailed.
It’s not in a great state, so you’re encouraged to fix it up.
Beyond that, there are no true goals or objectives.
You are free to live your farmer life how you see fit.
It’s all a chill and stress-free experience.
That is unless you live on a deserted island with a bunch of anthropomorphic neighbors.
Plus, you’ve got the option to take part in any seasonal events that crop up.
So, there is quite a range of activities, and you could decide which ones you do.
Hitman
2016’s Hitman is a unique kind of sandbox game.
After all, each mission does have a goal - usually to kill someone.
Yet, you’re allowed to complete your objective in any way you desire.
Or do you just want to shoot her in the head?
This is because each level is a sandbox filled with so many opportunities.
Astroneer
In Astroneer, you’re dumped on a planet with a spacesuit and a deform tool.
The rest is pretty much up to you.
But you’re encouraged to dig and explore the mysterious planet to gather resources.
it’s possible for you to even craft a rocket andtravel to other planetsto check them out.
Garrys Mod
Garry’s Mod (aka GMod) has been around for a long time.
In fact, it’s one of the most iconic sandbox experiences in gaming history.
But the game gives you all the tools you require to do great things.
The Sims 4
The Sims is one of the most famous video game series of all time.
And they’re a perfect example of enjoyable sandbox titles.
In Sims 4, you are allowed to live the life you want.
Then, you get to decide how your Sims live the lives you’ve given them.
To add to the fun, there is a litany of wonderful DLC and mods for you to install.
Core Keeper
Core Keeper was one of 2022’s breakout indie hits.
The aim of the game is to dig, dig, and dig some more.
There are unique monsters to battle, farms to build, and bits of gear to upgrade.
It’s a title that has continuously improved since its early access release.
So, it’s a great time to jump in and see what all the hype is about.
The planet is your sandbox.
Minecraft
Minecraft is undoubtedly one of the greatest sandbox games of this generation.
Terraria
Much like Minecraft, Terraria is a classic.
One of the best-value deals in gaming.
Terraria is the ultimate sandbox.
GTA Online, in particular, is an outstanding sandbox experience.
Being able to freely roam around Los Santos remains a delight.
Those kidnappers were deservedly banned, but the story proves what sort of experience Elite Dangerous is.
It’s a fantastic space sandbox where you could dojustabout whatever you want.
Hello Games didn’t give up on their project.
Didn’t jet off to some Pleasant planet and build a base there.
It’s the ultimate city-building sandbox, especially if you splash out on its dozens of DLC packs.
Well, you’ve got the option to, if you want to.
Alternatively, you might mod the game to a state that is almost unrecognizable from the base game.
Crusader Kings 3
It’s not difficult to imagine putting several thousand hours into Crusader Kings 3.
Exploring a huge, sprawling world full of creatures and people never gets old.
But these 12 games also offer incredible stories, too.
It is complicated but in all the best ways.
It’s a never-ending cycle, andwow, does it feel good to be efficient.
Scrap Mechanic
Scrap Mechanic is self-described as a “creative paradise.”
The game also has its fair share of monster battling, discovery, and exploration.
It includes huge towers, deep cellars, and that sort of thing.
It’s not just about building, though.
You also have to look after your settlers.
So, you must keep them happy and, more importantly, keep them alive.
If the elements or starvation don’t get them, then raiders might.
RimWorld
When discussing great sandbox games, RimWorld should always come up.
The premise alone makes this title stand out in a crowded genre.
It hassome fantastic modsand DLC, too.
Rust
Oh, Rust.
Unity has long proven itself to be the indie developer’s best friend.
Here are some of the greatest games produced by small teams using this engine.
Build, survive, and interact with potentially over a hundred different players.
Valheim
An indie superstar from 2021, Valheim arrived with a bang.
The thing that will instantly catch your eye in this game is the unique and beautiful art style.
But there is plenty of substance to go with that style.
From a gameplay standpoint, it fuses the survival elements of Minecraft with the boss progression of Terraria.
And it’s a combination that works brilliantly.
The game is currently still in Early Access.
The world is gorgeous.
you could just go fishing if you want and waste away the hours as the seasons change around you.
A sandbox in every sense of the world, the Wild West is your oyster.
If creating towns and settlements is your thing, these RPGs allow you to do plenty of building!
