Games Like Terraria (2026): 10 2D Sandbox and Crafting Games

Terraria hooks people with a simple promise: dig down, build up and see what you find. Once you've explored most of what it offers, it's natural to wonder where else you can get that mix of mining, crafting and exploring in a side-on world.

Here are ten 2D sandbox and crafting games to try next, listed in no particular order and sorted from A to Z. Some are open-ended sandboxes, some are survival games, and a couple are more like guided adventures. Everything below comes from each game's own Steam store page, so I've left out anything I couldn't read there. If you'd like a few more ideas for computers, my list of free offline strategy games for PC is worth a browse.

Terraria-style sandbox games side by side

In the Free to play column, Yes means the game's Steam page lists it as free to download and No means it doesn't. Every game here carries a No, so check the store page in your own country for current details before you decide.

Game	Platforms	Good for	Free to play
Core Keeper	Windows, Linux (Steam)	Underground mining sandbox for up to eight players	No
Craft the World	Windows, Mac (Steam)	Dwarf settlement building with a sandbox world	No
Dig or Die	Windows (Steam)	Base defence on a hostile alien planet	No
Dome Keeper	Windows, Mac, Linux (Steam)	Dig for resources, then defend your dome	No
Don't Starve Together	Windows, Mac, Linux (Steam)	Co-op survival with a strange hand-drawn look	No
Forager	Windows (Steam)	Gather, craft and expand your island	No
Junk Jack	Windows, Mac, Linux (Steam)	Relaxed building, decorating and animal taming	No
Noita	Windows (Steam)	Physics-driven roguelite with spell crafting	No
Starbound	Windows, Mac, Linux (Steam)	Space exploration sandbox across many planets	No
SteamWorld Dig 2	Windows, Mac, Linux (Steam)	Story-led mining platformer	No

Ten 2D sandbox and crafting games to try after Terraria, A to Z

Core Keeper

Best for: Groups of friends who want to dig into a huge cavern together, then build, craft, farm and fight their way towards its secrets.

Craft the World

Best for: Players who like the idea of managing a small group of dwarves, gathering resources and crafting gear in a randomly generated world.

Dig or Die

Best for: People who enjoy planning sturdy defences, because poor building can be wrecked by the game's physics or by flooding.

Dome Keeper

Best for: Players who want short, tense rounds of mining between waves, upgrading gadgets before the next attack arrives.

Don't Starve Together

Best for: Friends who want to survive, build and explore as a team in a moody, offbeat world with a distinctive art style.

Forager

Best for: Players who like the loop of collecting resources, crafting tools and unlocking more land, in a bright and offbeat world.

Junk Jack

Best for: Players who want a calmer sandbox to build a home, tame and breed animals, farm, cook and explore planets with friends.

Noita

Best for: Players who enjoy experimenting, because every pixel in the world is simulated and you design your own spells.

Starbound

Best for: Players who want to leave one world behind, repair a ship and explore the wider universe with building and crafting.

SteamWorld Dig 2

Best for: Players who like digging deeper for upgrades but want a guided adventure with a story rather than an open sandbox.

Features that define a Terraria-style crafting sandbox

All of these games share the digging and crafting idea, but they use it very differently. A few questions will point you to the right one.

• Open sandbox or guided story? Some games leave you to invent your own goals. Others walk you through a plot.
• Solo or with friends? Several of these shine in co-op, while others are best played alone.
• Calm or tense? Relaxed building is a different experience from surviving waves of attackers.
• The art style. Pixel art, hand-drawn scenes and bright cartoons all give a different mood.
• Your computer. Check the system requirements on each store page before you install anything.

Digging, building and exploring: Terraria-like games by player type

• Builders who love decorating and designing should look at the relaxed sandbox options.
• Explorers who like the thrill of digging into the unknown will enjoy the mining-led games.
• Strategists may prefer managing a settlement or planning defences.
• Tinkerers will love games where the world itself reacts to what you do.
• Co-op groups should check the multiplayer details listed on each store page.

If your computer is on the older side, free PC games that suit 4GB laptops and free PC games under 1GB might be easier to run.

Checklist for shortlisting Terraria-like sandboxes

• Does it support the number of players I want to play with?
• Is it single-player friendly, or is it designed around co-op?
• What does the age rating on the store page say?
• Is it early access or a finished release?
• Will my computer run it comfortably, going by the listed requirements?

Sandbox and survival games for younger Terraria fans

Sandbox games are popular with younger players, but the content varies. Some feature fantasy violence, creepy creatures or online play with strangers. Check the age rating on each game's store page, look at the multiplayer settings, and play together for a session before you decide. The ratings I read differ from game to game, so it's worth taking a minute with each one.

Common stumbles when shopping for Terraria-like games

• Expecting an exact copy and being disappointed by different systems.
• Ignoring the store page and missing that a game is early access.
• Choosing a co-op game when they mostly play alone.
• Installing too many at once and never getting deeply invested in one.
• Overlooking the system requirements.

Your first hour in a Terraria-like crafting sandbox

1. Play the opening tutorial slowly, because crafting menus can feel dense at first.
2. Gather basic materials before you go exploring far from your start point.
3. Build a simple shelter early so you've got a safe base to return to.
4. Write down or bookmark recipes you'll need again.
5. Look in the settings for controls and accessibility options.

Do you make mobile or PC games? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Where to dig next after Terraria

Pick the game that matches the part of Terraria you loved most, whether that's building, mining or exploring. Try one for a few evenings and see whether it pulls you back. If you'd like something quieter in between, free offline puzzle games for PC is another place to look.

Frequently asked questions

Are there other 2D sandbox games like Terraria?

Yes. There are mining sandboxes, survival games and guided adventures that all use digging and crafting. The list above covers ten of them, each with its own twist.

Are games like Terraria free to download?

Every game in the table carries a No in the free to play column, which means its Steam page doesn't list it as free to download. Check the store page in your country for details.

Can I play these games with friends?

Several support co-op play, but it varies. Check the multiplayer information on each store page before you invite anyone.

Are crafting sandbox games suitable for children?

Ratings differ from game to game. Look at the age rating on each store page, check any online features and play together first if you're unsure.

Do I need a powerful computer for these games?

Requirements vary. Read the listed system requirements on each store page and compare them with your machine.