It’s no secret that Minecraft is one of the most popular sandbox games for exactly over ten years. Its open world, endless creativity and survival mechanics are the reasons for it to be among the top games ever made. But sometimes, players want a different experience but still want to retain the elements that keep Minecraft exciting. The Minecraft-like games come in handy for that! If you’re searching for the new adventures in 2025, here are the 11 best desktop games similar to Minecraft you should try.
11 Best Desktop Games Like Minecraft
1. Terraria
Terraria is a 2D sandbox game where the player has the chance to do what they want, whether they’re crafting, exploring, or battling, while existing in a pixel-style world. In contrast to Minecraft’s graphic, 3D, and cubical form, Terraria takes on a creative side-scrolling direction, but still stands out with profound building mechanics, formidable bosses, and limitless exploration. If you enjoy playing Minecraft but a game with a different setting, Terraria should be your first choice.
2. Valheim
This Norse mythology-themed game was a huge hit in the gaming world. Valheim flings players into worlds that are created randomly in which they in turn quarry resources, build their bases, and slay mythical creatures. The sharing of the cooperative multiplayer and the inclusion of the charmingly lovely Norse-inspired landscapes is making it a supreme competitor which has the equal possibilities to the Minecraft alternative.
3. Roblox
Roblox is not only one game but it is a whole platform where the users can generate the content. Roblox has a collection of Minecraft-like experiences in different types which match your needs and let users get right down to the gaming action. The social aspect and creativity make it a top pick for those who enjoy community-driven games.
4. Eco
Eco does not merely attempt pa amplify sandbox survival to a more realistic ecosystem but also improve the role of the economy by applying the concept of talking.
Players need to be working as a team in order to have a working society else resources can be depleted and chaos can be ensued throughout the community. If you are the type of person who is after the action of Minecraft and also wants some more strategic games, then Eco is a game that you should consider.
5. Starbound
Imagine Minecraft in space, Starbound gave the edge to its players to explore the procedurally generated planets of build bases and engage in deep crafting mechanics. It is very cute with its charming pixel art graphics and the mechanics are good for you to be very creative if you are into sci-fi then it’s the best.
6. Raft
You are left behind in the middle of the ocean, you must be able to survive by gathering the garbage, building your raft, and avoiding sharks. Raft is different from classic sandbox games due to one-of-a-kind water-based survival and its cooperative gameplay.
7. Astroneer
In Astroneer, you will build your base, explore, and play with friends in a beautiful space environment. The game of Astroneer means that young people will spontaneous find planets and a multiplayer cooperation that people can use as an alternative to MineCraft’s exploration.
8. The Forest
Minecraft is a survival game that is based on mining and what The Forest plans to do is to make that experience more intense. The enemies are a threat to your survival, and at the same time, the game offers deep crafting, building, and dungeon exploration which is an exciting game to play.
9. 7 Days to Die
7 Days to Die is an open-world survival game. In comparison to Minecraft, it features not only crafting and resource-gathering but also a zombie apocalypse. Players must be ready to die and make sturdy bases in order to protect them from the floods of undead that will assault them. The game is interesting and also challenging.
10. Vintage Story
Vintage Story is absolutely phenomenal and is certainly something to appreciate due to its huge amount of immersion and the opportunity it gives you to try a truly complex survival game. The title embraces real-life crafting, history, unique world-building mechanics, while it absolutely stands out in a market where players have realized everything. Thus, it can be the best alternative for those who prefer both creativity and precision in games like Minecraft.
11. Cube World
Cube World is similar to Minecraft, being a blocky kind of style, but the difference is it revolves around the protagonist who is in space and finds a treasure which is a piece of his spaceship. It is characterized by an algorithmic engine, dungeons, and a new way to combat, so it is going to be fun to challenge your player skills in a sandboxed mode that is quiet and unobservable at the outset, but it is a different story when it happens.
Conclusion
Minecraft being the top game of its kind makes its name in computer gaming history and remains strong as a survival crafting sandbox game; but a break from plain old ground is also welcome hence the yearning to explore new all through still having the crafting, survival, and open-world style games we have around. A child who-may-like to play different subgenres, such as space exploration, Viking survival, or intense horror. For example, may find a Minecraft-like game that matches his/her taste. Give it a try Best Desktop Games in 2025 to enjoy and appreciate these splendid alternatives.
FAQs
1. Which game is the closest to Minecraft?
Compare Terraria and Vintage Story based on its crafting, exploration, sandbox mechanics, etc., and they are the most similar however, the first one is more power-hungry than the second game.
2. Are these games free to play?
Most of them do not, unfortunately, have the write-off capability of games. However, there are numerous free-to-play, Roblox which is famous to many users.
3. Do these games allow multiplayer mode?
If you can imagine one Xbox game they will probably have that feature enabled because these games are multiplayer as well, and they can be played together by one computer, laptop, or tablet (if no console). As many as can be connected together in multiplayer where players excite one another.
4. Can I mod these games just like Minecraft?
First of all, many games are common between the two that you can mod heavily. For example, even Vintage Story and Starbound have strong modding communities
5. Which one is the best game if I want to play survival mode?
The Forest and 7 Days to Die are two survival games that offer very intense traditional survival mechanics but still surpass what you get from Minecraft.
