5 Best Video Games Like Terraria

The fantasy sandbox game "Terraria" was an indie darling when it debuted in 2011, blending procedurally generated environments with a cozy retro-inspired presentation. Players create a character to explore a side-scrolling world, battling enemies along the way. They craft and upgrade equipment and weapons from the resources they gather. The game can be played solo or in cooperative online multiplayer, supporting fan mods, and the title has been ported to numerous modern platforms. By 2025, the game sold 64 million copies.

If you've already defeated the hardest bosses in "Terraria" and you're looking for a similar gameplay experience, we've got you covered. From other fantasy sandbox games to titles that blend exploration, combat, and crafting, there is certainly no shortage of options for all you "Terraria" fans out there. All the games covered here are distinct from one another, but the broader experience and presentation have noticeable similarities. These are the five best video games like "Terraria" for fans to check out next.

When it comes to fantasy sandbox games with sprawling procedurally generated environments, it doesn't get much more iconic than "Minecraft." Fully launched in 2011, the game is set in a world, and features characters and creatures, made entirely from cubes. Using various resources that they can gather, players can craft weapons and items and build structures while combating an assortment of monsters. Connecting online, players can work with or against other gamers, while "Minecraft" also offers a variety of gameplay modes to keep the proceedings fresh.

Ported to virtually every major contemporary gaming platform since its debut, "Minecraft" became the best-selling video game in history. With its near-infinite sprawl, accessible and simple gameplay mechanics, and the ability to play with friends, the game is the perfect time sink. It is also densely packed with goodies and Easter eggs for players to discover, with "Minecraft" containing some spooky secrets to keep players on their toes. A phenomenon that continues to entertain gamers over a decade since its launch, "Minecraft" deserves its blockbuster success.

In terms of broader presentation and gameplay mechanics, the 2016 sci-fi adventure game "Starbound" comes the closest to "Terraria." The game has the player character flung to the other side of the universe after the destruction of Earth, ready to explore unknown territory. The protagonist travels between planets, terraforming them and using their unique resources to craft items and weapons while also building settlements. Like "Terraria" and "Minecraft," the environments in "Starbound" are procedurally generated, guaranteeing no two playthroughs are exactly the same.

More than just shifting genres from fantasy to science fiction, "Starbound" significantly expands the gameplay's scope to an interplanetary scale. At the same time, the game doesn't lose sight of the more personal elements, letting players customize everything from their characters to their spaceships as they colonize the cosmos. The game also includes light story elements to establish a sense of stakes and world-building as players advance through the experience. Solid proof that not all craft-centric games should be in the fantasy genre, "Starbound" is a fun evolution of the "Terraria" formula.

A more unabashedly old school take on the adventure genre with a strong harvesting and crafting component, the 2019 title "Forager" uses a top-down perspective, with players steadily harvesting resources to craft and upgrade their equipment. These improvements aid with the game's exploration and combat mechanics, which can then, in turn, be used to develop the players' base. The game also features action RPG elements, with players leveling up and gaining new perks as they advance.

"Forager" is an incredibly cozy game, with the gameplay elements more focused on crafting activities than combat. Players can mine, farm, fish, cook, build, and more as they settle into their surroundings and take advantage of the resources available. That laidback gameplay makes for an intuitively accessible experience, presenting players with dungeons to conquer and enemies to slay, but wrapped in an overall warm presentation. Arguably the most relaxing game on this list, "Forager" is the perfect sandbox game to unwind to.

One of the more unsettling games on this list (by design) is the fantasy survival game "Valheim" was among the best early access games of 2021. The player character must survive in an afterlife where fallen Viking warriors prove their worth in order to pass on to the paradise of Valhalla. In between battling the monsters and demigods populating the region of Valheim, players can maintain their homes, including hunting, foraging, and crafting, to improve themselves and their gear.

With a night-and-day cycle and eight distinct environments for players to explore, "Valheim" definitely has an ambitiously realized scope. The adventure title can also get creepy with its atmosphere – "Valheim" basically becomes a horror game at certain times, keeping players riveted. With the full game set to provide some final polish and additions to the experience, the long early access period has showcased how strong its foundations are. When it finally comes out properly, "Terraria" fans will no doubt fall in love with it.

A fantasy sandbox game that has emerged from its early access period is "Core Keeper," which saw its full release in 2024. The game takes place in a procedurally generated underground environment, with players digging their way through the subterranean tunnels and caverns to advance. Using the resources that they unearth, players can craft and upgrade their gear and structures to accelerate their progress. Gamers can dive into "Core Keeper" solo or with up to seven additional players to join in and help.

With the welcome inclusion of co-op gameplay and some distinct environments, "Core Keeper" keeps its experience fresh and fun. The game also offers a variety of ways to approach its combat mechanics, which is key when trying to beat bosses like Malugaz the Corrupted. This is a title that thrives on its atmosphere and the sense of reward that comes with exploration, and as such is best enjoyed with friends. "Core Keeper" doesn't reinvent the sandbox genre but it also doesn't try to, sticking to and refining its essential strengths to great effect.