Terraria is a 2D action-adventure sandbox game that was developed by Re-logic and published by 505 Games and was first released in 2011. Terraria features a procedurally generated 2D world, that includes exploration, crafting, building, painting, and combat.
The game is playable in both single-player and multiplayer modes. The games begin with the player spawning into the world with a few basic tools to get them started and from there it is up to the player to decide what they want to do and how they want to proceed.
Terraria is available on PC, Xbox, PS4, Nintendo Switch, as well as older consoles, such as the Xbox360 and PSVita. Additionally, it is available for Mobile phones as well.
Starbound
Starbound is a 2D action-adventure video game that was developed and published by Cuttlefish. The game is set in a procedurally graduated, two-dimensional universe. Starbound was released for PC only in 2016, it works on all operating systems including Linux.
The story begins with the player inside a spacecraft right after the destruction of their home planet Earth. The player is part of an intergalactic peacekeeping organization known as the Terrene Protectorate and they have just graduated.
The shuttle lands among the stars and then the story begins. While primarily being a sandbox universe there are also quests and story-driven missions within the game.
Minecraft
Minecraft is a sandbox survival video game developed and published by Mojang Studios and was originally released in 2011. IT has since gone through many different changes and versions. Minecraft and a procedurally generated 3D block-based world that has infinite terrain.
The gameplay centers around exploration and survival. During the daytime, players can mine for ores, explore, and build. At night they must defend themselves against monsters or at least create a bed in a safe location that will allow the player to sleep.
The game comes with a variety of different modes for players to choose from, as well as, a large variety of customization in the form of mods and mod packs. Minecraft is considered one of the greatest video games of all time and has won several awards. It also continues to be in development with new versions being released.
Conan Exiles
Conan Exiles is a survival video game that was developed and published by Funcom for PC, PS4, and Xbox One. The game is set in the world of Conan the Barbarian where the custom playable character is rescued by Conan. There they begging their journey.
The game was officially released on May 8, 2018. The premise of the game is to survive in the fictional Hyborian Age, which is considered pre-historic. The player is exiled for various crimes and must navigate the harsh desert landscape, with a later update bringing a frozen landscape and a volcanic landscape to the game.
Raft
Raft is an open-world survival crafting game developed by Redbeet Interactive and published by Axolot Games. Raft allows you or you and your friends to complete an epic oceanic adventure.
The player(s) must battle to survive a voyage across a vast sea. The player must gather debris and other resources to craft and upgrade their floating home while being aware of enemies lurking in the water. The game is currently in Early Access on Steam.
Astroneer
Astroneer is a sandbox adventure game that was developed and published by System Era Softworks. The game was first released for PC as an early access title in 2016 and was fully released in 2019, along with Xbox One and PS4 version.
The game gives the player a task to colonize planets, create structures, and mine resources. There is no set goal or a storyline to follow, instead, the player is free to do as they wish with each planet providing various challenges for the player to complete. The game uses procedural generation with some exceptions.
ECO
ECO is a simulation game that was developed and published by Strange Loop Studio. ECO is a multiplayer survival game that tasks players with researching and improving the world’s level of technology before an impending meteor impact, in order to save the world and destroy the meteor.
The player must balance the use of the natural resources of the world and the resources they create with the world’s ecosystem in order to do as little harm to the ecosystem as possible. This pushes players to think about sustainable living. This game is currently still in development.
The Survivalists
The Survivalists is a top-down 3D crafting adventure game that is both single-player and multiplayer, giving players the chance to play with their friends.
The game was developed and published by Team17 Digital Ltd. The main objective of the game is to simply survive and craft on an island that is now your home. Players can discover secrets, encounter enemies, build and craft various structures and items, and even train monkeys to complete tasks.
Ark Survival Evolved
Ark Survival Evolved is an open-world survival crafting game that was developed and published by Studio Wild Card. Players are stranded on a mysterious island full of creatures and various other players.
Players must learn how to survive, gather resources, create weapons, and tame the wild beasts of the land. All while defending themselves from other players and enemies throughout the game. Ark Survival Evolved was released in 2017 for PS4, Xbox One, PC, Android, and Nintendo Switch.
Zelter
Zelter is a top-down 3D pixelated zombie apocalypse survival game, developed by G1 Playground and published by Super.com. The premise of the game is to gather resources, find other survivors, and start fresh after zombies ravaged the home you thought safe from zombies.
Prepare your fortress for the hoards of zombies yet to come and prepare yourself to fight them off. Zelter is currently in Early Access on Steam.
The Forest
The Forest is a survival video game that was developed and published by Endnight Games. The game takes place in a remote and forest Peninsula island, where Eric Leblanc and his some Timmy survive a plash crash. Soon after Timmy is taken from Eric and he must search for him on this island.
The island is inhabited by a group of cannibalistic mutates who live in small villages and deep underground caverns. The player must find resources, build and search for clues of his lost son during the day while defending themselves from mutants during the night.
No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Sky is an exploration real-time strategy survival game that was developed and published by Hello Games. It has gone through significant changes and further development since its launch in 2016 due to mixed reviews and backlash from players and critics.
There are four main activities present within the game, they include exploration, survival, combat, and trading. The player steps into the shoes of a specimen of an alien humanoid planetary explorer called the Traveller.
The player starts on a random planet with a crashed spacecraft t the edge of the galaxy and they are equipped with only a survival exosuit jet suit and a multitool to scan objects and collect resources.
The gameplay is open with some guidance from an entity known as the Atlas that players can follow if they wish. No Man’s Sky is available for PC, Xbox One, PS4 and will be released for Xbox Series X and PS5.
Space Engineers
Space Engineers is a voxel-based sandbox game that is set in space and on various planets. The game was developed and published by Keen Software house and released in 2019.
The game begins when the player creates or joins a new world. When creating a world there are several advanced customization options for the player to choose from, including procedural generations, inventory size, and the speed of several tools and machines. The job of the player is to explore, craft, and defend themselves
The game is available for PC and Xbox One.
Grounded
Grounded is a survival game that was developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. The game starts with the player shrunk to the size of an ant and must try to survive in the backyard.
The character must consume enough food and water to survive, as well as, survive against various bugs and insects that fill the backyard. Each serving its own purpose. The game’s difficulty will slowly increase and more enemies will be introduced as players discover new backyards.
Project Zomboid
Project Zomboid is an open-world survival horror game that is still currently in development by The Indie Stone and will be published by the Indie Stone as well. Project Zomboid is currently on Early Access on Steam.
The goal of Project Zomboid is to survive in Knox County, a fictional zombie-ridden area which has been quarantined by the government. The game can be played in survival mode where the player must create a character and survive as long as possible. Sandbox mode allows players to change gameplay mechanics such as speed, zombie number, weather, and item availability. Project Zomboid is currently only on PC.
Subnautica
Subnautica is an open-world survival action-adventure game that was developed and published by U known Worlds Entertainment.
The player is the only survivor of the Aurora, a shipwrecked spacecraft that crashed on a remote ocean planet. The main goal of the game is to explore the ocean waters, collect resources, and construct a base. Completing certain objectives will advance the plot. Subnautca was released for PC, Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch in 2018.
Craftopia
Craftopia is a multiplayer survival action game that is both open-world and has sandbox elements. The game was developed and published by Pocket Pair Inc. The goal of the developers was to combine all of the elements they loved from their favorite game into one big game.
The player starts out with very little and they can mine resources, fish or forage for food, evade and fight enemies, build crops and structures. The game includes character creation, a skill tree, vehicles, and a multiplayer mode. Craftopia is currently in early access on Steam.
Rust
Rust is a multiplayer-only survival video game that was developed and published by Facepunch Studios. It was formally released in February 2018 after leaving Early Access. The basic idea of the game is to survive as long as possible by managing their thirst, hunger, and health.
Additionally, there are multiple threats in Rust the biggest being other players. There is a variety of combat, crafting, and teamwork within the game. Players must also be aware of other risks, including drowning, hypothermia, and radiation. Rust is currently available for PC with PS4 and Xbox One versions announced for release 2020.
Empyrion – Galactic Survival
Is an open-world sandbox survival game set in space and was developed and published by Eleon Game Studios.
The goal of the game is to explore space, build ships, and create space stations. There are a variety of settlements to explore various planets, there are both physical alien enemies and biological hazards.
The game is both single-player and multiplayer, it also has a player versus player mode. Empyrion Galactic Survival is currently available for PC only.
BreathEdge
BreathEdge is an open world comedic space survival game developed by RedRuins Softwares and published by HypeTrain Digital and RedRuins Softworks.
The game focuses on the comedic value, such as random events. The main character is a man called the Man who is taking his grandfather’s ashes to a galactic funeral and finds himself in the middle of a universal conspiracy.
Man finds himself alone in space and must fight to survive with his sidekick and immortal chicken. BreathEdge is currently available in Early Access on Steam.
Subnautica: Below Zero
Is an open-world survival game developed and published by Unknown World Entertainment. Subnautica: Below Zero, serves as the sequel to Subnautica. This time players step into the shoes of a researcher who is studying the environment of a nearby alien facility.
Similar to its predecessor the game requires exploration, resource gathering, and building in order to complete goals and advance the plot. Unlike its predecessor the game has more key landmarks, and physical land to explore in addition to its usual underwater exploration.
FAQs
Question: What consoles are these games available for?
Answer: All of these games are available for PC and many are available for other consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One.
Question: What makes these games similar to Terraria?
Answer: All of these games rely heavily on various crafting elements and exploration in order to complete or survive the game.
Question: What games would you personally recommend?
I really enjoy playing Minecraft, The Forest, and Subnautica for their graphics and gameplay elements. I enjoy Minecraft for its ability to be customized.
