Let’s be real – Minecraft is one of those games that just sticks. Whether you’re into mining, building, exploring, or just zoning out while you terraform an entire mountain, it’s got that perfect mix of freedom and fun.
But sometimes, you want something new without losing that spark. Maybe it’s a fresh setting, different art style, or new mechanics, but it still needs to hit that same creative, open-ended vibe.
So if you’re looking for games like Minecraft that scratch that same itch (without being straight-up clones), you’re in the right place. I’ve played all of these, and trust me – there’s something here for every type of builder, adventurer, or survival junkie.
1. Terraria
If you’ve ever thought, “What if Minecraft had a 2D version with even more gear and boss fights?”, then Terraria is your game. This one’s been around for a while, and it still holds up insanely well.
Terraria trades Minecraft’s blocky 3D world for pixel art side-scrolling, but don’t let that fool you – it’s packed with depth. You can mine, build, and survive just like in Minecraft, but there’s a much stronger focus on combat and progression. You start off with basic tools and slowly power up through crafting, dungeon crawling, and fighting bosses that honestly feel epic. And I mean epic – like screen-filling, multi-phase, laser-shooting nightmares.
What makes it feel familiar for Minecraft fans is the freedom.
Want to build a floating castle? Go for it. Prefer to dig straight to the underworld and fight demons? That’s an option too. The creativity is still there, just with more swords and wings.
If Minecraft is about chill creativity, Terraria is that with a massive side of action.
2. Roblox
Alright, I know what you’re thinking – is Roblox even a game? And the answer is: kinda, but also so much more.
Roblox isn’t just a Minecraft-like game, it’s a whole platform full of games made by users. Think of it like an endless sandbox where people can build literally anything – from survival worlds and obstacle courses to full-on RPGs and shooters. Some of the most popular Minecraft-style experiences in Roblox are basically blocky survival simulators with crafting, mining, and building… sound familiar?
What makes Roblox feel like Minecraft is that same freedom and creativity. You can hop into a world where you’re chopping trees and crafting tools, or build your own experience from scratch using Roblox Studio. If you loved redstone contraptions and building your own stuff in Minecraft, you’ll probably get hooked on what Roblox has to offer.
Plus, there’s a huge community and constant new content. It’s like Minecraft with a social twist – and a bunch of quirky minigames on top.
3. Trove
Trove feels like someone tossed Minecraft, World of Warcraft, and a rainbow into a blender – and somehow it turned out awesome.
It’s voxel-based, so you get that familiar blocky Minecraft aesthetic, but it’s way more of an MMO meets dungeon crawler. You start by choosing a class (yes, like a legit RPG class – Knight, Gunslinger, Candy Barbarian… yep, that’s a thing), and then you head out into colorful worlds filled with dungeons, loot, and enemies.
What makes it click for Minecraft fans is the mix of exploration and building. The game world is procedurally generated, you can dig through the terrain, and yep – there’s a building system that lets you design your own home base, called a cornerstone. You can plop that bad boy down pretty much anywhere, and customize it however you want.
Trove is perfect if you like Minecraft but wish it had faster combat, more loot, and a bit of MMO spice. Plus, the world is just ridiculously fun to look at.
4. Creativerse
If you ever wished Minecraft had more polish, better graphics, and a slightly deeper crafting system right out of the box, Creativerse is calling your name.
This one’s super similar to Minecraft in the best ways. You explore a massive open world, gather materials, craft gear, and build whatever your imagination comes up with. But here’s the kicker – it throws in a bunch of quality-of-life upgrades that make things smoother. We’re talking things like auto-sorting chests, smart mining tools, and blueprints for complex builds.
The world feels familiar but just a bit more alive. You’ve got caves to explore, cute-but-deadly creatures to fight, and biomes that look a little more modern and detailed than classic Minecraft. And the building system? It’s super intuitive, especially with the blueprint feature that lets you scan a structure and rebuild it somewhere else. Very cool.
It’s kind of like the “deluxe edition” of Minecraft. If you want a similar vibe but with a bit more structure and polish, Creativerse is a solid pick.
5. Vintage Story
Vintage Story is what happens when a group of hardcore Minecraft modders say, “Let’s make our own game – and crank the realism to 11.”
At first glance, it looks like Minecraft with a slightly moodier art style. But the moment you start playing, you’ll notice it’s way more survival-focused and immersive. There’s no punching trees and crafting stone tools in five seconds. You’re starting with sticks and rocks, learning how to nap flint, make fire, and smelt metal in clay molds. It’s slower, tougher, and honestly kind of brilliant.
What really stands out is the depth.
Seasons change, crops grow based on temperature, and even food spoils if you don’t store it properly. You can build incredible structures just like in Minecraft, but you’ll need to earn every bit of progress. It’s not for everyone, but if you liked Minecraft’s survival mode and always wished it was more challenging and realistic, this is the game.
Think of Vintage Story as Minecraft for players who want a real survival simulation with that same voxel charm.
6. Eco
Eco is like Minecraft, but with a serious environmental conscience – and I promise, that’s way more fun than it sounds.
You still get that blocky, sandbox-style world where you mine, build, and explore. But Eco adds a twist: everything you do affects the planet. Chop down too many trees? You might ruin the ecosystem. Pollute the water? Say goodbye to fish. Build a coal plant? Enjoy your new smog problem.
The coolest part? You’re not playing alone.
Eco is built around multiplayer cooperation, and you have to work with others to build a functioning society, complete with laws, currency, and government systems. Yes, you can literally pass laws to protect the environment or regulate building projects.
If Minecraft lets you do whatever you want, Eco asks, “Should you?”
It’s a super unique take that still lets you build cool stuff, but with the added challenge of keeping a fragile ecosystem alive. If you’re into Minecraft + science + teamwork, Eco’s gonna hook you.
7. The Blockheads
This one’s kind of like Terraria and Minecraft had a mobile baby, with a survival twist and some serious charm.
The Blockheads is a 2D sandbox game where you control little characters (yep, they’re called Blockheads) who explore, craft, mine, and build. The twist? You can queue up tasks, like telling your Blockhead to dig a tunnel or cook food, then sit back while they do their thing. It’s kind of like playing Minecraft, but with a chill, hands-off vibe.
What makes it stand out is its focus on exploration. You can sail across oceans, ride donkeys through mountains, and even reach the edges of the world – or space if you’re feeling extra. The day-night cycles, temperature changes, and stamina systems give it more of a survival feel without going full hardcore.
It’s perfect if you love the creativity of Minecraft but want something a bit more relaxed, and made for mobile. Honestly, for a game that fits in your pocket, The Blockheads packs in a lot of depth.
8. Minetest
Minetest is probably the closest thing you’ll get to classic Minecraft, without actually being Minecraft. And the best part? It’s free and open-source.
At first glance, it looks almost identical to early Minecraft: blocky textures, simple lighting, and familiar terrain generation. But once you get into it, you realize Minetest is more like a giant sandbox for modders and creators. The base game is solid, but the real fun is in all the community-made mods that can completely change how it plays.
You want survival mechanics? Done. RPG elements? Easy. Tech mods? Farming? Flying ships? It’s all in there, and you can pick and choose exactly what kind of experience you want.
If Minecraft is a polished playground, Minetest is the DIY version with no limits. It’s especially great if you’re on a low-end PC or just want something super customizable. And again – it’s totally free. Hard to beat that.
9. Portal Knights
Portal Knights takes the building freedom of Minecraft and mixes it with action RPG gameplay, and the result is a super fun, surprisingly deep adventure.
Instead of one big open world, the game is split into floating islands connected by magical portals. You’ll hop between them, fighting monsters, gathering materials, and crafting everything from weapons to furniture. The combat’s a major upgrade from Minecraft – more like Zelda, with dodging, blocking, and combo attacks.
You also get to pick a class at the start (Warrior, Ranger, or Mage), level up your character, and even spec into skills. So if you’ve ever wanted to mix crafting and mining with RPG-style character building, this scratches that itch.
What really feels Minecraft-y is the freedom to build and shape your world. You can dig, stack blocks, decorate your home base, and turn any island into your own personal project. But you’ll also be slaying bosses and completing quests while you do it.
Portal Knights is perfect if you want Minecraft, but with a real sense of adventure and progression.
10. Dragon Quest Builders 2
If you’ve ever thought, “I wish Minecraft had more story and cute anime vibes,” then Dragon Quest Builders 2 is exactly what you’re looking for.
It’s a block-building RPG set in the Dragon Quest universe, and yeah – it’s super charming. You still mine, craft, and build just like in Minecraft, but here it’s all wrapped up in a full-on adventure with quests, characters, and an actual plot. And the best part? The building feels way smoother and more rewarding.
Unlike Minecraft’s total freedom (which can sometimes feel a little aimless), Builders 2 gives you structure without taking away your creativity. You’ll build entire towns, farms, and dungeons, all while helping out adorable NPCs who cheer you on and live in the stuff you build. Plus, there’s combat, gear progression, and even co-op if you want to build with a friend.
This game somehow makes grinding feel wholesome. If you’re a Minecraft fan who also enjoys JRPGs or wants a more guided, story-rich experience, this one’s a gem.
11. Cube World
Cube World had massive hype back in the day, and while its development story is… a little tragic, the game itself still offers a unique blend of Minecraft visuals with RPG exploration.
It’s not about mining and building this time – Cube World leans way more into being an action-adventure RPG. You explore a procedurally generated voxel world full of forests, deserts, mountains, and dungeons. There are enemies to fight, quests to uncover, and loot to grind. You even get gliders, boats, and mounts to help you traverse the massive map.
What makes it feel like Minecraft, aside from the aesthetic, is the open-world exploration and that sense of “go wherever, do whatever.” There’s no hand-holding. You just head off in a direction and stumble across weird ruins, strongholds, or epic bosses.
If you’re into Minecraft but always wished it had more RPG mechanics and a pure exploration vibe, Cube World delivers that, flawed as it may be.
12. PixARK
Take the voxel world of Minecraft, throw in dinosaurs, survival mechanics, and some serious crafting depth, and you’ve got PixARK.
It’s basically the lovechild of Minecraft and ARK: Survival Evolved. You wake up in a colorful, blocky world filled with creatures, both cute and terrifying. And yes, you can tame dinosaurs and ride them into battle. That alone makes it worth a try.
Like Minecraft, you’ll chop trees, mine resources, and build bases. But PixARK takes survival seriously. You’ll have to manage your hunger, health, and even temperature while you explore different biomes. The world’s procedurally generated, and it has magic, tech, and plenty of weird stuff to uncover.
Combat’s a bit more involved than in Minecraft, and there’s a full leveling system with skill trees. Whether you’re crafting a home base or gearing up to take on a massive T-Rex, there’s a solid mix of danger and creativity here.
If you’ve ever wished Minecraft had more survival mechanics and a ton of dinosaurs, PixARK is your jam.
13. LEGO Worlds
If you grew up stacking LEGO bricks and later fell in love with Minecraft, this game is basically a dream come true.
LEGO Worlds is a full-blown block-building sandbox, but instead of cubes, everything’s made from actual LEGO pieces. You explore randomly generated worlds, collect bricks, tame animals, ride dragons, and build whatever you want – using either tools or brick-by-brick, just like real LEGO sets.
What really sets it apart from Minecraft is how themed everything feels. One moment you’re in a candy-filled biome, the next you’re exploring a haunted forest or building a pirate fort. There’s a surprising amount of charm in every corner, and the visuals pop with that signature LEGO shine.
It’s less about survival and more about creativity and discovery. There’s even a campaign mode with objectives and quests if you want some structure. But at its core, it’s about letting your imagination run wild, just like Minecraft – only way more colorful and slightly more nostalgic.
14. Stardew Valley
Okay, so Stardew Valley might not look like Minecraft at first glance – it’s a 2D farming sim, after all – but trust me, the vibe is very much there.
You start off with a run-down farm and slowly turn it into whatever you want: a cozy farmhouse with crops and chickens, a fishing paradise, or a full-on industrial empire. The sandbox freedom is what ties it to Minecraft. You decide how to spend your days, whether that’s planting hundreds of parsnips or exploring caves filled with monsters and treasure.
And those caves? That’s where the real Minecraft energy kicks in.
There’s mining, combat, gear upgrades, and even crafting. It’s a slower, more laid-back experience, but there’s something so satisfying about shaping your own little world over time.
If you love Minecraft’s sense of progression, freedom, and chill vibes, Stardew Valley hits all the right notes, with a big dose of heart.
15. Don’t Starve
If Minecraft’s survival mode kept you on your toes, Don’t Starve is here to stress you out – in the best possible way.
This game drops you into a dark, Tim Burton-style wilderness with one simple rule: stay alive. There’s no hand-holding, no tutorial, and no mercy. You gather resources, craft tools, build a base, and try to keep your sanity intact. Yes, literally – sanity is a game mechanic here, and if it drops too low, things start to get… weird.
There’s no block-building like in Minecraft, but the crafting, exploration, and survival elements feel super familiar, just more intense. The world is procedurally generated, the seasons change, and every night could bring something that wants to eat you.
It’s not about building pretty houses. It’s about surviving long enough to maybe build a functional house. If you’re into the challenge of Minecraft’s survival mode and want something darker and more unforgiving, Don’t Starve is a brutal (and brilliant) pick.
16. Subnautica
Subnautica is like Minecraft… if the entire world was underwater and filled with alien sea creatures that may or may not want to eat you.
You crash-land on an ocean planet with nothing but a lifepod and some flippers, and from there, it’s full-on survival mode. You’ll gather materials, craft gear, and build your own underwater bases, complete with windows, tubes, and oxygen generators. And trust me, building a home 500 meters below sea level feels epic.
Like Minecraft, there’s no strict path – you explore at your own pace. But there’s also a surprisingly deep story, full of mystery, creepy abandoned labs, and the feeling that something big is lurking in the deep. And yeah, the ocean gets real dark and scary the deeper you go.
If you loved the exploration and crafting parts of Minecraft but want a new, immersive setting (with way more sharks and glowing fish), Subnautica is an absolute must-play.
17. No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Sky started off rocky, but these days? It’s a massive, beautiful, and surprisingly chill space sandbox – and it totally scratches that Minecraft itch.
You start on a random planet in a galaxy of literally billions. From there, it’s all about mining resources, crafting gear, building bases, upgrading your ship, and exploring the stars. You can warp to other systems, discover alien life, scan weird creatures, and even name the stuff you find. It’s Minecraft in space – with jetpacks.
There’s survival too. You’ll have to manage your suit’s life support, find shelter from storms, and gather materials to keep your tech running. But once you get your footing, the game opens up like crazy. You can build massive bases on any planet, tame alien animals, or just fly around collecting space loot.
It feels a lot like Minecraft’s sandbox spirit – go where you want, build what you want, play how you want – but wrapped in a sci-fi vibe that’s genuinely relaxing (and sometimes jaw-dropping).
18. Starbound
Starbound feels like Terraria’s space-loving cousin, with all the sandbox charm of Minecraft, but set in a universe full of weird planets and pixel-art sci-fi vibes.
You start the game in a broken spaceship after fleeing your home planet, and from there, it’s up to you to explore a procedurally generated galaxy. Each planet has different biomes, enemies, weather, and materials to collect. You can dig, build, fight, farm, decorate, and even recruit crew members for your ship.
Where it really overlaps with Minecraft is in the freedom to play your way. Want to be a farmer with a cozy homestead on a forest planet? You can. Prefer dungeon crawling and looting alien ruins? Also an option. There’s also crafting, quests, boss fights, and some light RPG progression.
And just like Minecraft, you can build basically anything – on planets or your spaceship.
19. Space Engineers
If you love Minecraft’s building and survival but wish it had more physics, engineering, and explosions in space, Space Engineers is your game.
This one drops you into a giant sandbox where you can mine asteroids, build space stations, and engineer fully functional ships from scratch. I’m talking working thrusters, pistons, gravity generators – real engineering stuff. You can design anything from sleek fighters to massive mining rigs, and then take them out into space.
There’s survival mode too, where you’ll gather resources, manage power, and repair damage from meteors or enemy players. You can also play in creative mode if you just want to build cool stuff with zero pressure.
What makes it feel like Minecraft is the freedom to build and experiment, but everything’s grounded in real(ish) science and physics. The destruction is also super satisfying. When your spaceship smashes into an asteroid and crumbles into pieces? Painful, but beautiful.
If Minecraft’s redstone got you excited, Space Engineers will blow your mind.
20. 7 Days to Die
This one takes the survival part of Minecraft and cranks the intensity way up – with zombies, guns, and a constant feeling that something’s about to go horribly wrong.
7 Days to Die is a first-person survival horror sandbox where you mine, build, and craft just like in Minecraft – but you’re also trying not to get eaten. Every seven days, a massive zombie horde comes after you, and it’s up to you to be ready. That means fortifying your base, crafting traps, stockpiling food, and figuring out how to survive the night.
The world is fully destructible and procedurally generated, so you can dig tunnels, set up mines, and shape the terrain however you want. It’s got all the sandbox freedom of Minecraft, but with a heavier emphasis on strategy, defense, and staying alive.
If you love Minecraft’s survival mode but wish it had more danger, more tension, and a few jump scares, this one’s going to hook you hard.
Final Thoughts on Games Like Minecraft
There you have it – some of the best games like Minecraft that actually bring something unique to the table.
Whether you want a chill farming sim, a brutal survival challenge, or a full-on intergalactic sandbox, there’s a game on this list that’ll hook you in the same way Minecraft did. Some are cozier, some are way more intense, but they all give you that same “one more hour” feeling we know too well.
Tried any of these already? Got a favorite that’s not on the list? Hit me up – I’m always down to find the next great sandbox adventure.
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