10 Games to play if you like Minecraft Worth Playing in 2023

Minecraft, the globally renowned gaming phenomenon, has captured the hearts of gamers around the world. However, what if this blocky world didn’t quite resonate with you, or you simply can’t get enough of the sandbox-style gameplay? Don’t worry, because we’ve compiled a list of the best games that share similarities with Minecraft, offering a diverse range of experiences that cater to different preferences and playstyles.

1. Roblox: Where Creativity Knows No Bounds

Platform: Windows, iOS, Android, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4/5, Meta Quest

Roblox, a powerhouse in the gaming world, is more than just a game; it’s a platform and a game creation system rolled into one. While it may not feature the traditional crafting and survival elements of Minecraft at its core, Roblox grants you the power to craft your unique game experiences or partake in adventures crafted by other users. If you relish the multiplayer aspects of Minecraft, playing diverse game modes and mini-games with both friends and strangers, Roblox is an excellent choice.

2. Slime Rancher 1 and 2: Farming Fun in a Whimsical World

Platform: Nintendo Switch, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows, Linux, Mac

For those who adore the farming and nurturing side of Minecraft and prefer a peaceful gameplay experience, Slime Rancher 1 (or Slime Rancher 2) could be your ideal gaming destination. In this delightful RPG, you’ll establish a farm dedicated to collecting and breeding a variety of endearing, gooey creatures known as slimes. With an intricate in-game economy and a puzzle-like aspect to concocting new slime combinations, you’ll find yourself losing track of time in this charming indie title.

3. Satisfactory: Building and Automation Extravaganza

Platform: Windows

Satisfactory is a game that caters to the resource-hungry builders within the Minecraft community. It offers the joy of resource harvesting both above and below ground, allowing you to construct massive warehouses and factories to process and store your hard-earned materials. While it boasts more complex systems than Minecraft, making it a better fit for those seeking intricate challenges, the satisfaction of building automated resource farms is just as rewarding as farming in Minecraft.

4. Terraria: Unleash Your Inner Adventurer

Platform: Everywhere

Terraria, a true pioneer in the world of Minecraft alternatives, shares numerous similarities with its blocky sibling. However, Terraria takes place in a 2D side-scrolling environment. Each world you enter is teeming with possibilities, whether you choose to dig deep into the depths of hell or reach for the skies to build your fortress. With formidable bosses to conquer, NPCs to recruit, and a wealth of special items and biomes to explore, you’ll constantly find yourself yearning to uncover just a few more blocks of adventure.

5. Stardew Valley: A Cozy Life-sim Adventure

Platform: Windows, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android

If you’re seeking a tailored life-simulation experience that places crafting and mining at its core, Stardew Valley is your virtual haven. It immerses you in the role of a new homeowner in a charming country village, where you’ll establish relationships with fellow residents, partake in a plethora of activities, and gradually restore your dilapidated home either solo or with friends. Stardew Valley isn’t just a beloved title on the Nintendo Switch; it’s also one of the most popular iPhone games, ensuring enjoyment across various platforms.

6. Don’t Starve: Survive the Haunting Wilderness

Platform: iOS, Android, Windows, PS3/4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch

For those who are drawn to the eerie and suspenseful elements of Minecraft’s Survival mode, Don’t Starve offers an easy recommendation. As the name implies, your primary focus is to scavenge for food and fend off starvation. However, you must also construct a shelter, no matter how rudimentary, and create fires to stave off the darkness and maintain your sanity during the night. The stakes are high because death is permanent, but so are the rewards. If you’re looking for cooperative play, there’s a multiplayer expansion called Don’t Starve Together where you can survive with friends.

7. Starbound: Explore Alien Worlds and Survive

Platform: Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, macOS, Linux

Starbound, akin to Terraria in style, thrusts you into the role of an interstellar explorer hopping between alien planets with your starship as your mobile hub. In this context, structures function more as temporary outposts, essential for survival during your intergalactic journeys. Your character’s class is determined by your equipment, providing a tad more structure amidst the game’s open-ended nature compared to its counterparts.

8. No Man’s Sky: An Expansive Sci-Fi Sandbox

Platform: PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Windows, macOS, iPadOS

Speaking of science fiction, No Man’s Sky had a shaky start, but since its launch in 2018, the developers have consistently added significant expansions with free content, transforming it into a sandbox experience unlike any other. You can either strive to survive and gather resources for interplanetary travel or kick back and relax in a Creative-esque mode with no constraints; the choice is yours. Additionally, if you’re seeking a game similar to Starfield, No Man’s Sky might just fill that void.

9. Dragon Quest Builders 2: Collaborative Building Fun

Platform: PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows, Nintendo Switch

A spinoff from the venerable Dragon Quest franchise, Dragon Quest Builders 2 introduces up to four-player cooperative play within its sandbox world. Engage in hack and slash combat, fortify your strongholds, and dabble in various management sim activities, all enveloped in a delightful and endearing art style. Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a building-focused RPG that demands your attention and time.

10. Lego Worlds: Where Imagination Takes Form

Unlike many other recent LEGO games, Lego Worlds offers a full sandbox experience entirely composed of LEGO bricks. Embark on an adventure to collect various items and decorations scattered across procedurally generated maps and use them to mold your world. Modify the landscape with terraforming tools or meticulously construct your creations with the “brick by brick editor.”

These ten games offer an exciting array of alternatives to Minecraft, catering to various gaming preferences. Whether you enjoy crafting, exploration, or cooperative play, you’re sure to find a title that resonates with you. So, venture forth into these virtual worlds and embark on your next gaming adventure!

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Michael P
Los Angeles based finance writer covering everything from crypto to the markets.

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