10 Games Like Terraria For Those Who Loves Crafting And Exploring

by  John Uke Last update: June 26, 2024

In 2011, two games were released that offer a similar approach to gameplay and storytelling – Minecraft and Terraria. These titles were all about sandbox survival, giving you total freedom to do whatever the heck you wanted. You start with nothing in a randomly generated world, and it’s up to you to explore, craft, build, farm, dive into dungeons, and take on some gnarly bosses. Sounds fun, right? Throw in some co-op action, and you’ve got the recipe for why Terraria is still a big hit today. If you’re a Terraria fan like me looking for something similar, I’ve got a list of 10 games like Terraria.

Why Did Terraria Become Popular?

Terraria lets you do whatever you want. Want to build a house on the ground or in a tree? Go for it. Feel like making a massive castle or digging out a cave to live in? You do you. Set up production chains or ignore them completely – it’s all good. Each new game drops you into a world that’s totally unique, with different biomes packed with monsters and bosses that require specific strategies and gear to beat. Plus, you can team up with GameTree friends in co-op, and the devs keep the game fresh with constant updates.

Most games stick to a linear story, but Terraria lets you write your own. Whether you’re all about exploring and battling or just want to build cool stuff like it’s a virtual Lego set, there’s something here for you. That’s why games like Terraria are still super popular, with people always asking for recommendations on Reddit and Steam.

10 Terraria Like Games You Can Play And Enjoy In 2024

I’ve put together my own list of games that scratch that Terraria itch. If you’ve conquered Terraria or just want something similar with a different vibe, these Terraria-like games will save you time and help you find your next obsession.

Dig-N-Rig

Dig-N-Rig is a DigiPen student project game, a 2-D mining simulation arcade game in which you control Diggit 6400, an advanced mining robot equipped with several digging tools. The game takes place in 2032 when a team of scientists decides to explore the last unexplored place – the Earth’s core. A nice thing to know is that this is a free Terraria-like game as it was made by students.

NOTE:

You should collect resources, build conveyors, and lay a network between them, then improve your machine and dig deeper.

Steamworld Dig 2

SteamWorld Dig 2 is an action-adventure platformer with Metroidvania elements. You play as steam-powered robot Dorothy, who is searching for Rusty, the previous game’s protagonist, who has disappeared. The gameplay involves exploring a huge underground mine, fighting various enemy creatures, and searching for resources as the player works his way down. As with all Metroidvania games, as you progress through the game, Dorothy gains unique abilities and weapons that allow her to explore the areas inaccessible without those specific abilities or weapons.

NOTE:

All found resources can be exchanged for money in the central world of the game, where the player can level up and thus be able to explore further zones.

Ark: Survival Evolved

Ark: Survival Evolved is definitely among the best games like Terraria. It is a survival simulator where players need to build a base. For this, they must craft building materials – floors, doors, windows, etc., and by collecting resources, players can create weapons, which can also be improved. Players can create almost any structure, but it can also be destroyed by other players. The game features a huge map, which is about 48 square kilometers. There are also a huge number of different creatures in the game, from mammals and dinosaurs to mythical wyverns and golems, that can be tamed.

NOTE:

Each type of creature has its own method of taming, and after that players can fly or move on horseback.

Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is an RPG and farming simulator. At the beginning of the game, the hero inherits an abandoned farm in the fictional Stardew Valley. The game is a sandbox and does not pose a specific task for the player. It offers a variety of activities: planting and harvesting crops, raising livestock, practicing various crafts, as well as participating in the life of the neighboring town and earning in-game money to expand the farm.

NOTE:

The game has various interactions with NPCs from the neighboring town and you can even start a family.

Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight is a classic Metroidvania. This indie game follows the adventures of a nameless knight in the abandoned insect kingdom of Hallownest. Here, the main part of the gameplay is tied to exploring the game world. There are obstacles in various zones that can only be overcome by defeating certain bosses and receiving upgrades from them. Hollow Knight is considered one of the best Metroidvanias and a classic of the genre. The story in the game is told not directly but through objects, thoughts of other characters, etc. This is a very unobvious move for which many players love this Terraria-like game.

NOTE:

The game itself is quite hardcore and is suitable for those who love harsh survival games.

Craft The World

Craft The World is a 2D sandbox game with strategy elements and crafting. The game has several modes, including multiplayer and construction. In this story-based game, like in Terraria, you go through various levels, craft resources, and fight enemies and bosses to open a portal and move to the next level. The player leads a small squad of gnomes and can assign them various tasks: to dig up certain places, attack enemies, or engage in construction.

Tip:

Don’t forget to take care of your charges – feed them on time, dress them, etc. Initially you will have one gnome, but their number will grow as you gain experience.

Crea

Crea, a role-playing action-adventure game, similar to Terraria in gameplay and style. However, it offers its own unique features, such as a character development system that presents a wealth of skills and magic for upgrading. Importantly, each specialization grows only as you use it. This game also invites you to explore a vast procedurally generated world, brimming with diverse biomes and monsters, promising an exciting journey of personal growth.

Tip:

I advise you to understand the unique system of crafting and upgrading weapons and armor and the RPG component of character development.

Core Keeper

Core Keeper is a sandbox game with survival elements where you also explore a procedurally generated underground world, engage in mining, crafting, and farming. This game, like Terraria, offers a huge amount of content, although it was released relatively recently.

Tip:

At any time, you can join up to 8 people for a cooperative playthrough. 

Starbound

Starbound is an action adventure sandbox game like Terraria where you explore a huge procedurally generated world with many planets and with complete freedom of exploration. The type of gameplay is exactly as in other similar sandboxes, that is, crafting, construction, and resource extraction. The main feature of this game is the procedural generation of almost everything in the game – planets, trees, weather, gravity, enemies, and weapons, which makes your adventure truly unique.

Minecraft

Now we come to the legend! Minecraft is the game that influenced all other titles of its genre. It is also the best-selling game in history and a cultural phenomenon. The game has several modes, one of which allows you to go through the story mode, build, craft, fight enemies, and do everything that you do in other sandbox games. Minecraft is also famous for its construction mode, which has endless possibilities. If you wish, you can recreate a castle or a real city right in the game! In addition, this Terraria-like game is available on mobiles. 

Tip:

The Redstone resource in the game allows you to create logic circuits that transfer energy from one block to another, similar to electrical ones. This allows players to create logic gates in Minecraft that perform simple logical operations.

Explore Even More Games Similar To Terraria With GameTree

Already blasted through all the games I mentioned? Still hunting for something that hooks you like Terraria? Check out GameTree! It’s an app that uses AI to recommend games tailored just for you. Create a profile, list the games you love, and get personalized suggestions. With GameTree, you’ll never be stuck wondering what to play next. And the best part? It’s not just a game recommendation app, it’s a thriving gaming community where you can make new friends and find co-op partners.

Final Thoughts

Terraria-like games are a breath of fresh air, especially if you’re burned out on AAA blockbusters. The games in this list are perfect for chilling out and getting lost in another world. The listed games like Terraria on Xbox, PS4/PS5, and other platforms spark creativity, and some even teach you cool stuff – like Minecraft’s Redstone can get you into programming. Dive in and discover a whole new way to game!