Determining the greatest sandbox games is no easy feat as it's an enormous genre that covers dozens, if not more, of the most popular games available right now. From the blocky creative goodness of Minecraft to the ever-expanding ways to play Grand Theft Auto Online, a sandbox game is any game that puts most of the control in the player's hands.

It's a genre that has continually improved, as the technical advancements in gaming have enabled developers to give players more control over their experience than ever before. Here are the best sandbox titles that are available to play right now on both PC and console.

Updated April 12, 2024, By Ben Jessey: Sandbox games are great because they give you plenty of freedom to play how you want. Yet, some games do this better than others. So, we created this list to highlight the greatest ones, and now we've updated the piece to add a few more.

Project Zomboid

Zombies and sandboxes aren't two things that typically go together. However, they do in the open-world isometric survival game known as Project Zomboid. The goal of the game is to survive for as long as possible in a zombie-filled post-apocalyptic world.

There is a sandbox mode that allows you to tailor your experience. You can alter the number of zombies, how they're distributed, how quickly you get hungry, and many other things that can significantly change the game.

Planet Zoo

At its heart, Planet Zoo is a construction and management game, as you have to build and run a zoo. In most modes, you have to carefully manage your money and resources to be as successful as possible.

There's a sandbox mode, though, where money and resources are unlimited. Therefore, you're free to build the zoo you desire. You can select the animals, design their homes, and even change the terrain. So, you can make the perfect place for the creatures and customers or create something wacky.

Palworld

Some people refer to Palworld as Pokemon with guns. It's understandable, as the game is set in a world filled with strange, colorful creatures, and you're armed with an array of weaponry. These weapons can be used to hunt these critters.

Yet, this is a sandbox title, so you have plenty of agency over what you do. Therefore, you don't have to kill everything you see. You can also catch the creatures to serve as allies and workers. With their help, you can acquire resources and build things as you try to make a little life for yourself in this vibrant world.

House Flipper 2

House Flipper 2 is about cleaning, decorating, and remodeling houses. The main mode revolves around renovating places to get them ready for the market. You do so by completing assigned quests.

However, there is also a sandbox mode, which gives you the freedom to build a home from scratch. So, you have no objective or budget to stick to. You simply have free rein to build walls, paint, and do a bit of tiling. Or you can just mess around, as there are no rules or restrictions.

Roblox

Calling Roblox a sandbox game is perhaps underselling the creative freedom this title gives you. After all, it's a game-creation platform, meaning you can use it to make games for others to play. This is a little more substantial than having the ability to make a shelter.

Naturally, how impressive your game is comes down to how creative you are. Some people have managed to create some unbelievable things. It's perhaps worth trying Roblox as it's free-to-play.

My Time At Sandrock

In My Time At Sandrock, you control a builder who arrives in the titular desert community. Your general goal is to build up and run your own workshop, which in turn can improve the lives of the people living in Sandrock.

You are offered great freedom in making, altering, and decorating your shop. But that isn't all you do in the game. You're also free to explore the open world, interact with Sandrock residents, grow crops, and do many more things. So, there is a great variety in the game and you really get to tailor your experience.

Teardown

A lot of sandbox games are about building things. Teardown, however, is all about destruction. You're capable of breaking down anything and everything. You're encouraged to target the walls of buildings as most missions require getting inside someplace. Yet, there is also a full sandbox mode where you have complete freedom to destroy anything.

There are plenty of different ways to tear places down, too. You can opt for a traditional sledgehammer, drive a large vehicle through a building, or use anything else in your vicinity. It's all up to you.

Dragon Quest Builders 2

Dragon Quest Builders 2 blends the concept of a creative sandbox game with an RPG. So, it has a lot of mechanics you'd see in a game like Minecraft. For instance, you're able to break and place blocks to build new structures. Therefore, you can continually alter the world and terrain around you.

For a hybrid game like this, the creative sandbox features are quite deep. But this doesn't mean that the RPG elements are minimal, as it's a full-fledged role-playing experience. Thus, the game impressively manages to appeal to fans of both genres.

Two Point Campus

Your sandbox in Two Point Campus is a university that you build from the ground up. The game gives you very few restrictions as you construct your campus. This not only means building the classrooms. You also put down paths and plant trees on the grounds.

On top of that, you get to choose what sort of classes your school teaches. And the title isn't a very serious game, so some of the course options are a bit wacky, such as wizardry and knight school - and that is not a mis-spelling of 'night school.' Once everything is in place, you have to run and manage the university, meaning there are management and simulation elements to the game, too.

Don't Starve

The goal of Don't Starve is to survive for as many days as possible. To accomplish this, you must avoid both starvation and getting killed by enemies.

Except for ensuring survival, there is nothing you're required to do. You're free to gather resources and build anything you desire in your randomly generated open world. Be warned, though, it isn't the most relaxing sandbox experience as there are plenty of threats around. You can face those dangers with a buddy in the multiplayer follow-up title, Don't Starve Together.

The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

A Legend Of Zelda game wouldn't normally be considered a sandbox title. However, Tears Of The Kingdom is so open that it counts as one. There is a concrete goal in that you have to stop Ganondorf.

Yet, that is only a small part of the game, as there is also a huge world to explore containing many things to do and see. Plus, you have plenty of freedom when it comes to how you do these things, especially with your array of powers. For example, your almost limitless ability to build things sometimes allows you to bypass set puzzles. So, it's an action-adventure game with a sandbox world and sandbox gameplay.

Raft

This game doesn't try to complicate things with its title. It's called Raft because the entire game is about roaming around on a raft. There is no goal beyond that. You simply explore the ocean.

The craft you use to do so starts out pretty basic, as it's just some planks. But you can build it up to create something resembling a true boat. Along the way, you need to gather resources, feed yourself, and try not to get eaten by a shark. You can do this all with friends by your side.

7 Days To Die

7 Days To Die is set in one of the most dangerous sandbox worlds. This is because the place is filled with zombies. Your goal is to survive. The sandbox element is about how you go about doing that.

You have free reign to dig, build, and destroy in the large open world. The average player typically builds an impressive base to keep them away from the beasts, but that is not a requirement. You can live how you want in this post-apocalyptic world.

Just Cause 3

Just Cause 3 contains a story about the protagonist Rico Rodriguez trying to free his homeland from a dictator. Yet, it would be fair to say that's not the main selling point of the game. This title is all about giving you a large open world and the tools to cause as much chaos as possible.

There is simply so much you can do in the game, from flying around with your grapple hook to blowing up cars and buildings. The open world is simply one big playground.

Kerbal Space Program

In Kerbal Space Program, your job is to build different aircrafts that are capable of shooting your people into space. Usually, you have to work with the supplies you currently have.

Yet, the sandbox mode places no limitations on you. Thus, you have the freedom to create any spaceship you desire. Thankfully, the tools and mechanics of the game are incredibly in-depth and detailed. This means if you're creative enough, you can craft some of the most unbelievable spaceships ever.

Stardew Valley

At the beginning of Stardew Valley, you acquire a house and a piece of land that belonged to your grandfather. It's not in a great state, so you're encouraged to fix it up. Beyond that, there are no true goals or objectives. You are free to live your farmer life how you see fit.

Some of the things you can do include interacting with nearby NPCs, exploring caves, going fishing, completing various quests, or simply continually improving your farm. It's all a chill and stress-free experience.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a life simulation game, but it likely doesn't represent your actual life. That is unless you live on a deserted island with a bunch of anthropomorphic neighbors.

There are plenty of things to do on the island, such as building up your relationships with your animal-like buddies and collecting resources. You're also free to decorate your home with items you find or buy, making it feel like home. Plus, you can take part in any seasonal events that crop up. So, there is quite a range of activities, and you can decide which ones you do.

Hitman

2016's Hitman is a unique kind of sandbox game. After all, each mission does have a goal - usually to kill someone. Yet, you're allowed to complete your objective in any way you desire.

For instance, do you want to disguise yourself as a supermodel and walk the runway to get close enough to your target to poison her before slipping away unnoticed? Or do you just want to shoot her in the head? The decision is up to you, but that's just two options - there are almost an unlimited number of other ways to take her out. This is because each level is a sandbox filled with so many opportunities.

Astroneer

In Astroneer, you're dumped on a planet with a spacesuit and a deform tool. The rest is pretty much up to you. But you're encouraged to dig and explore the mysterious planet to gather resources.

With the materials you find, you can build different things to improve your new life in space. You can even craft a rocket and travel to other planets to check them out. And you don't have to do it all alone as you can bring some buddies along for the ride.

Garry’s Mod

Garry's Mod (aka GMod) has been around for a long time. In fact, it's one of the most iconic sandbox experiences in gaming history. The game gives you access to all sorts of assets, and you can do what you want with them. The most creative players have managed to make some extremely cool things, such as popular games like Trouble In Terrorist Town and Prop Hunt.

What you can make from it depends on your level of creativity and the amount of free time you have. But the game gives you all the tools you require to do great things.

The Sims 4

The Sims is one of the most famous video game series of all time. And they're a perfect example of enjoyable sandbox titles. In Sims 4, you are allowed to live the life you want. You get to fully customize your family and house - as long as you have enough in-game money in the latter's case.

Then you get to decide how your Sims live the lives you've given them. To add to the fun, there is a litany of wonderful DLC and mods for you to install.

Core Keeper

Core Keeper is one of 2022's breakout indie hits. The aim of the game is to dig, dig, and dig some more. A cooperative exploration, survival, and mining game for up to eight players, Core Keeper is inspired by games like Stardew Valley, Terraria, and Minecraft.

There are unique monsters to battle, farms to build, and bits of gear to upgrade. It's a title that has continuously improved since its early access release. So, it's a great time to jump in and see what all the hype is about.

Dyson Sphere Program

One of the sleeper indie hits from the start of 2021, Dyson Sphere Program is a wonderfully complex factory-builder in the likes of Factorio.

The planet is your sandbox. There are conveyor belts, item-feeders, aerial transportation...this a game you can easily sink hundreds of hours into if it gets your hooks in you. If you love games like Factorio or building item-sorters in Minecraft, you should check out Dyson Sphere Program.

Minecraft

Minecraft is undoubtedly one of the greatest sandbox games of this generation. Its development has spanned a decade, seen its ups and downs, to be sure, and provided a platform for thousands of creators to experiment, play, and entertain.

It has changed a lot over the years, as the developers have made many additions to the game, like the amazing Caves and Cliffs update. Throughout it all, the title has never strived away from its core concept: to give you almost unlimited freedom to create whatever you want in its blocky world.

Terraria

Much like Minecraft, Terraria is a classic. One of the best-value deals in gaming. Ever. It could cost you just a couple of dollars and for that, you'd get easily over a thousand hours of content, painstakingly added by a dedicated development team over the course of a decade. For free.

Terraria is the ultimate sandbox. There are thousands of items, monsters, bosses, and a complex modding scene that will keep the game alive for many years to come.

Grand Theft Auto Online

While the constant re-releases of GTA 5 and GTA Online have received plenty of criticism, it's hard to deny the quality of either. GTA Online, in particular, is an outstanding sandbox experience.

Being able to freely roam around Los Santos remains a delight. Not to mention, the almost endless amount of content Rockstar has provided for the multiplayer game means it's easy to keep playing this title for years. There's still no other multiplayer game quite like this, which is likely why it continues to maintain its immense popularity.

Elite Dangerous

Pick your poison: space simulators are still massively popular, and Elite Dangerous provides one of the more intoxicating sandbox experiences if you can look past the endless grind. Any game that allows players to kidnap new players and blast them off to the other side of space, then force them to mine resources until they're allowed back to the tutorial section, grabs attention.

Those kidnappers were deservedly banned, but the story proves what sort of experience Elite Dangerous is. It's a fantastic space sandbox where you can do just about whatever you want.

No Man's Sky

After a truly terrible launch, maybe one of the worst game launches in the history of game launches, No Man's Sky has been redeemed by a series of free updates that are usually well thought out and of very high quality.

Hello Games didn't give up on their project. Didn't jet off to some Pleasant planet and build a base there. Nope. They knuckled down and turned No Man's Sky into one of the largest and most intricate sandbox games out there. Not bad.

Cities: Skylines

After the iconic fall of Sim City, Cities: Skylines took up the mantle of best city builder and delivered. It's the ultimate city-building sandbox, especially if you splash out on its dozens of DLC packs.

Want to build a city where you create an enormous dam of sewage water and then flood your city with it? Well, you can, if you want to. Alternatively, you can mod the game to a state that is almost unrecognizable from the base game.

Crusader Kings 3

It's not difficult to imagine putting several thousand hours into Crusader Kings 3. After the long support of Crusader Kings 2, the predecessor is more new-player friendly (yes, really, the UI is terrifying but easier to learn than ever before) and very enjoyable.

The game is a complete medieval sandbox, where you can start as the count of a tiny French province and eventually rule the world, leading your nation on crusades and establishing your own religion.

Factorio

A game that spent four years in early access, Factorio is probably one of the most polished and complete construction management games ever released. It is complicated but in all the best ways.

You can spend hours and hours arranging your conveyor belts, feeding factories and engines, and manufacturing materials to expand your factory. It's a never-ending cycle, and wow, does it feel good to be efficient.

Scrap Mechanic

Scrap Mechanic is self-described as a "creative paradise." And it's hard to come up with a better phrase to describe one of the best sandbox games out there.

The main aim is to design fantastical vehicles and other machines, but there's more to the title than that. The game also has its fair share of monster battling, discovery, and exploration. Plus, in 2020, a full-fledged survival mode was added to the title to make things even more interesting.

Going Medieval

An early-access indie breakout in 2021, Going Medieval is a colony simulator that has some of the best building mechanics seen in a game like this, sort of becoming a 3D Dwarf Fortress with multiple building layers. It includes huge towers, deep cellars, and that sort of thing.

It's not just about building, though. You also have to look after your settlers. So, you must keep them happy and, more importantly, keep them alive. If the elements or starvation don't get them, then raiders might.

RimWorld

When discussing great sandbox games, RimWorld should always come up. There is no other game that lets you run an organ-harvesting operation from a base on a distant planet, surrounded by ice and angry raiders.

The premise alone makes this title stand out in a crowded genre. But the sheer amount of freedom you're given to tailor the experience you want is another reason why RimWorld is a classic. It has some fantastic mods and DLC, too.

Rust

Oh, Rust. Beset with problems pretty much all the time (the performance on consoles is still pretty awful), it makes very little difference to the popularity of this game. This sandbox survival game is best played with friends or a rogue solo mission into the chaos of a busy server.

Build, survive, and interact with potentially over a hundred different players. The weekly server resets always make the game feel fresh, even if grinding out every week becomes, well, a bit of a grind.

Valheim

An indie superstar from early in 2021, Valheim arrived with a bang. As you may be able to gather from the game's title, this sandbox experience is set in a Viking world.

The thing that will instantly catch your eye in this game is the unique and beautiful art style. But there is plenty of substance to go with that style. From a gameplay standpoint, it fuses the survival elements of Minecraft with the boss progression of Terraria. And it's a combination that works brilliantly.

Mount And Blade 2: Bannerlord

There is nothing quite as satisfying as transforming your base character into a lord with several hundred soldiers under their command. Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord is the long-awaited successor to Warband, though the game has a long way to go before it cements its cult status like its predecessor.

The game is currently still in Early Access. However, even in its current state, there are potentially hundreds of hours of sandbox goodness, as you try to conquer the world of Calradia.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online are both visually and mechanically one of the most complex games Rockstar has ever released. The world is gorgeous. You can just go fishing if you want and waste away the hours as the seasons change around you.

Red Dead Online is nowhere near as popular as Grand Theft Auto Online, but riding around in a posse with a bunch of your friends is still a lot of fun. A sandbox in every sense of the world, the Wild West is your oyster.