Best Sandbox games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated sandbox games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free sandbox games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Size Matters
You play as a scientist who is shrinking every second in a race against time! Find all the ingredients and formulas scattered around the laboratory, which are necessary for producing the life-saving antidote. But beware, your time is very precious.
Stronghold: Warlords
Besiege Great Khans, Imperial warlords and Shōgun commanders in Stronghold: Warlords, the latest 'castle sim' from Firefly Studios. Command AI warlords across the battlefield as you build a castle economy and new gunpowder-fuelled siege engines!
Let It Flow
What happens when you let your Youtube community make a game? Well, you're looking at it. Chat tells me what to make and so I build it for them. I have no choice but to fulfill their wishes. Don't judge me.
Airport CEO
Build and manage an international airport!
Breathedge
Survive in outer space! Together with your immortal chicken, discover the truth behind your sudden spaceship crash. Craft tools, pilot vehicles, and even control space stations to survive and explore the wreckage.
Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar is a classic isometric city builder game inviting players to experience the mysterious history and culture of ancient Mesopotamia. In the campaign, players get to rule over influential historical cities filled with magnificent monuments.
Academia : School Simulator
Design, build, and manage a high school with terrific teachers and fantastic facilities or simply let your students poop in the bushes? Academia : School Simulator is a management/tycoon game where you get to decide!
Main Assembly
You’re the designer, engineer and architect if you can imagine it you can create it! Construct robots of any shape or size from eight-legged spider bots to eerie UFO contraptions.
NIMBY Rails
Design and run your own railroads for the real world. Solve global transportation dilemmas. Unleash your inner railway engineer and transit policy manager.
Survival Classic
Try to survive the harsh realities of the cold Siberian countryside. Live long and always remember, man is man's enemy. You can trust no one but it is almost impossible to survive on your own. Choose your path and go to finish. Firefights, transport, crafting and survival.
SuchArt: Creative Space
Paint on any surfaces with numerous tools in Creative Space — a free sandbox version of SuchArt: Genius Artist Simulator. Create masterpieces, complete commissions, and decorate your studio in the most advanced artist sim!
Dyson Sphere Program
Build the most efficient intergalactic factory in space simulation strategy game Dyson Sphere Program! Harness the power of stars, collect resources, plan and design production lines and develop your interstellar factory from a small space workshop to a galaxy-wide industrial empire.
Pumping Simulator
Pumping Simulator As an active member of a gas station in a major city around the world, you can play with up to 10 friends in a multiplayer co-op mode or single player mode to help you understand what the pumpers are going through, and maybe will make you rich.
Founders' Fortune
A fantasy village builder focusing on creative building, colonist psychology and base defense. Handle resources, farming, production, tools, diplomacy, families, trading, defense, and research, as well as the wishes, expectations, thoughts, and equipment of every villager.
Fireworks Mania - An Explosive Simulator
FIREWORKS MANIA is a small casual explosive simulator game where you play around with fireworks, create beautiful firework shows or just blow stuff up.
Per Aspera
Make Mars your own! Take control of the world’s most sophisticated AI (AMI) and terraform the surface of the Red Planet for a city-building experience on a planetary scale. Transform this barren world into a lush paradise and explore the surface for any ancient secrets that may be waiting.
Winter Resort Simulator 2
Winter Resort Simulator 2 is the extensive simulation of a ski area with all its exciting technical facilities and vehicles.
Prime & Load : 1776
Set in the American Revolution, Prime & Load : 1776 lets command and control your very own regiment.
Amazing Cultivation Simulator
Rise up in a search for immortality in this strategy sim and management game based on Chinese mythology. Rebuild your sect and train new disciples through the path of cultivation. Research magic and gather mystical artifacts, face ancient dangers and other sects in your path to spiritual ascension.Most played sandbox games on Steam
Take a look at the top sandbox games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 16th 2025.
1. Terraria
Dig, fight, explore, build! Nothing is impossible in this action-packed adventure game. Four Pack also available! Terraria is a open world survival craft, sandbox and survival game developed and published by Re-Logic. Released on May 16th 2011 has received 1,394,254 reviews of which 1,359,264 were positive and 34,990 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played sandbox game, thanks to its 28,364 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.7
1,359,264
34,990
28,364
players
2. RimWorld
A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more. RimWorld is a colony sim, base-building and survival game developed and published by Ludeon Studios. Released on October 17th 2018 has received 207,285 reviews of which 203,071 were positive and 4,214 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. While seeing 19,206 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among sandbox games based on player count.
9.7
203,071
4,214
19,206
players
3. Garry's Mod
Garry's Mod is a physics sandbox. There aren't any predefined aims or goals. We give you the tools and leave you to play. Garry's Mod is a sandbox, moddable and multiplayer game developed by Facepunch Studios and published by Valve. Released on November 29th 2006 has received 1,150,066 reviews of which 1,113,171 were positive and 36,895 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 17,010 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among sandbox games based on player count.
9.6
1,113,171
36,895
17,010
players
4. Factorio
Factorio is a game about building and creating automated factories to produce items of increasing complexity, within an infinite 2D world. Use your imagination to design your factory, combine simple elements into ingenious structures, and finally protect it from the creatures who don't really like you. Factorio is a automation, base-building and resource management game developed and published by Wube Software LTD.. Released on August 14th 2020 has received 212,622 reviews of which 206,226 were positive and 6,396 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 14,006 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played sandbox games.
9.6
206,226
6,396
14,006
players
5. Albion Online
Albion Online is a fantasy sandbox MMORPG featuring a player-driven economy, classless combat system, and intense PvP battles. Explore a vast open world full of danger and opportunity. Grow your wealth, forge alliances, and leave your mark on the world of Albion. Albion Online is a free to play, mmorpg and open world game developed and published by Sandbox Interactive GmbH. Released on May 16th 2018 has received 81,493 reviews of which 64,385 were positive and 17,108 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 7,851 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played sandbox games.
7.8
64,385
17,108
7,851
players
6. Tabletop Simulator
Tabletop Simulator is the only simulator where you can let your aggression out by flipping the table! There are no rules to follow: just you, a physics sandbox, and your friends. Make your own online board games or play the thousands of community created mods. Unlimited gaming possibilities! Tabletop Simulator is a tabletop, board game and simulation game developed and published by Berserk Games. Released on June 05th 2015 has received 69,953 reviews of which 66,046 were positive and 3,907 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 4,972 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played sandbox games.
9.3
66,046
3,907
4,972
players
7. Core Keeper
Explore a vast cavern of creatures, relics and resources in a mining sandbox adventure for 1-8 players. Mine, build, fight, craft and farm to unravel the mystery of the ancient Core. Core Keeper is a pixel graphics, open world survival craft and online co-op game developed by Pugstorm and published by Fireshine Games and bilibili. Released on August 27th 2024 has received 53,662 reviews of which 49,848 were positive and 3,814 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 4,586 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played sandbox games.
9.1
49,848
3,814
4,586
players
8. Myth of Empires
Myth of Empires is a multiplayer war sandbox game featuring a high degree of freedom and multiple civilizations. Players must survive, craft, create, and lead troops in their quest to conquer PVE or PVP territory and build their own empire. Xizhou Civilization Pack is now officially released! Myth of Empires is a building, open world survival craft and sandbox game developed by Angela Game and published by Imperium Interactive Entertainment . Released on February 21st 2024 has received 16,771 reviews of which 11,471 were positive and 5,300 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. With 4,164 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played sandbox games.
6.7
11,471
5,300
4,164
players
9. People Playground
Shoot, stab, burn, poison, tear, vaporise, or crush ragdolls in a large open space. People Playground is a sandbox, gore and physics game developed by mestiez and published by Studio Minus. Released on July 23rd 2019 has received 277,891 reviews of which 273,962 were positive and 3,929 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.8 out of 10. With 4,079 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played sandbox games.
9.8
273,962
3,929
4,079
players
10. Planet Zoo
Build a world for wildlife in Planet Zoo. From the developers of Planet Coaster and Zoo Tycoon comes the ultimate zoo sim. Construct detailed habitats, manage your zoo, and meet authentic living animals who think, feel and explore the world you create around them. Planet Zoo is a management, simulation and building game developed and published by Frontier Developments. Released on November 05th 2019 has received 86,491 reviews of which 78,784 were positive and 7,707 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 3,289 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played sandbox games.
9.0
78,784
7,707
3,289
players
Best deals on sandbox games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of sandbox games available on Steam right now, updated on April 16th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted sandbox games.
1. SuchArt: Genius Artist Simulator
A unique artist sim game with realistic paint mixing, physics and numerous painting tools. Upgrade and customize your studio, complete tasks, sell and expose art, buy instruments and get famous! SuchArt: Genius Artist Simulator is a design & illustration, sandbox and immersive sim game developed by Goose Minded and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on October 13th 2022 has received 4,319 reviews of which 4,202 were positive and 117 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. Featuring a massive 96% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for sandbox category.
9.4
4,202
117
-96%
25.00€
1.00€
2. Naheulbeuk's Dungeon Master
A dungeon in danger ! Build, manage, and defend your tower in the satirical heroic fantasy universe of Dungeon of Naheulbeuk. From a shaky establishment to an infamous lair! Naheulbeuk's Dungeon Master is a management, simulation and funny game developed by Artefacts Studio and published by Dear Villagers. Released on November 15th 2023 has received 1,373 reviews of which 988 were positive and 385 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 96% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in sandbox games.
7.0
988
385
-96%
25.00€
1.00€
3. The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame
Bricksburg is in ruins and Emmet's friends have been taken! Team up with Emmet and a host of heroic characters to save their friends from the strange inhabitants of the Systar System. Journey into outer space, discover new worlds, and test your Master Building skills. The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame is a adventure, lego and sandbox game developed by TT Games and Feral interactive (Mac) and published by Feral interactive (Mac) and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Released on February 26th 2019 has received 1,328 reviews of which 859 were positive and 469 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 96% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in sandbox games.
6.3
859
469
-96%
29.25€
1.17€
4. Crash Drive 3
Are you ready for THE car stunting playground? Experience ridiculous fun in this cross-platform multiplayer, free-roaming game! Drive monster trucks, tanks and more amazing vehicles across a huge open world. Level up, play events, earn cash, unlock new cars and discover secrets.... Crash Drive 3 is a racing, multiplayer and open world game developed and published by M2H. Released on July 08th 2021 has received 408 reviews of which 373 were positive and 35 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
8.5
373
35
-95%
21.40€
1.07€
5. Black Skylands
Become the captain of an airship and explore the world of the skies, gather resources and build powerful weapons, uncover ancient secrets and fight beneath your ship's sails. Black Skylands is a pixel graphics, open world and sandbox game developed by Hungry Couch Games and published by tinyBuild. Released on August 15th 2023 has received 3,806 reviews of which 3,155 were positive and 651 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
8.0
3,155
651
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
6. Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure
In Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure, Maxwell unites with Batman™, Superman™ and the rest of The Justice League™ to restore order to the DC Comics Universe. Challenge your imagination as you battle the mightiest villains in an exciting, action-filled adventure through GOTHAM CITY™, METROPOLIS™, ATLANTIS™ and other iconic... Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure is a adventure, superhero and action game developed by 5th Cell Media and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Released on September 24th 2013 has received 2,306 reviews of which 1,896 were positive and 410 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
7.9
1,896
410
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
7. Snowtopia: Ski Resort Builder
Build your ideal ski resort. Keep skiers smiling with fresh pistes and fine facilities. Ski, build and chill in the wintry world of Snowtopia where everyone is welcome! Snowtopia: Ski Resort Builder is a simulation, building and management game developed by TeaForTwo and published by Goblinz Publishing and Maple Whispering Limited. Released on December 14th 2022 has received 1,162 reviews of which 713 were positive and 449 were negative resulting in a rating of 6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 94% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
6
713
449
-94%
19.83€
1.19€
8. Scribblenauts Unlimited
The best-selling, award-winning franchise is back – on your home PC in gorgeous HD for the first time. Scribblenauts Unlimited is a puzzle, casual and adventure game developed by 5th Cell Media and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Released on February 15th 2013 has received 11,670 reviews of which 10,950 were positive and 720 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
9.1
10,950
720
-93%
21.14€
1.48€
9. My Little Universe
Stranded on a barren moon with nothing but your tools, fuelless ship, and celestial powers of creation, you are destined to recreate what was once lost and be the hero of your own Little Universe! Don't forget to call in up to three of your friends to join your journey in the Splitscreen Co-op Mode! My Little Universe is a mining, exploration and dungeon crawler game developed by Estoty and published by SayGames. Released on October 05th 2023 has received 1,489 reviews of which 1,294 were positive and 195 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
8.3
1,294
195
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
10. Mech Mechanic Simulator
Become a Mech Mechanic to deconstruct, rebuild, paint and fix gigantic iron machines. You live in an age of enormous machines and you better get ready to get your hands dirty! Mech Mechanic Simulator is a mechs, crafting and sandbox game developed by Polyslash and published by Valkyrie Initiative. Released on March 25th 2021 has received 623 reviews of which 400 were positive and 223 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
6.2
400
223
-93%
20.57€
1.44€
Free sandbox games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play sandbox games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 16th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play sandbox games.
1. Albion Online
Albion Online is a fantasy sandbox MMORPG featuring a player-driven economy, classless combat system, and intense PvP battles. Explore a vast open world full of danger and opportunity. Grow your wealth, forge alliances, and leave your mark on the world of Albion. Albion Online is a free to play, mmorpg and open world game developed and published by Sandbox Interactive GmbH. Released on May 16th 2018 has received 81,493 reviews of which 64,385 were positive and 17,108 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 7,851 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free sandbox games on Steam.
7.8
64,385
17,108
7,851
players
2. Trove
Grab your friends, hone your blades, and set off for an epic procedurally generated adventure in Trove! Battle the Shadow in realms filled with dungeons and items created by your fellow players. Whether hunting treasure or building realms of your own, it’s never been this good to be square! Trove is a free to play, open world and sandbox game developed and published by gamigo US Inc.. Released on July 09th 2015 has received 92,335 reviews of which 74,117 were positive and 18,218 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 816, this sandbox game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free sandbox games on Steam.
7.9
74,117
18,218
816
players
3. OpenTTD
OpenTTD is a business simulation game in which players earn money by transporting passengers and cargo via road, rail, water, and air. It is an open-source remake and expansion of the 1995 Chris Sawyer video game Transport Tycoon Deluxe. OpenTTD is a simulation, building and free to play game developed and published by OpenTTD. Released on April 01st 2021 has received 14,119 reviews of which 13,577 were positive and 542 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 422, this sandbox game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free sandbox games on Steam.
9.4
13,577
542
422
players
4. Counter-Strike Nexon
Counter-Strike Nexon is a Free to Play MMOFPS offering competitive PvP and PvE action including content from the original Counter-Strike and all new game modes, map creation function, weapons, and hordes of Zombies! Counter-Strike Nexon is a free to play, fps and zombies game developed by Valve and NEXON and published by NEXON. Released on October 07th 2014 has received 42,587 reviews of which 28,304 were positive and 14,283 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 173 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free sandbox games on Steam.
6.6
28,304
14,283
173
players
5. Wurm Online
A sandbox MMORPG that has pushed the boundaries on what it means to be open world and stood the test of time. Dig, mine, shape the world around you and make your lasting mark! Wurm Online is a free to play, sandbox and rpg game developed and published by Code Club AB. Released on July 24th 2020 has received 2,290 reviews of which 1,422 were positive and 868 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 163 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free sandbox games on Steam.
6.1
1,422
868
163
players
6. Resonite
Enter a novel digital universe with infinite possibilities. Whether you resonate with people around the world in a casual conversation, playing games and socializing or you riff off each other when creating anything from art to programming complex games, you'll find your place here. Resonite is a early access, casual and sandbox game developed by Yellow Dog Man Studios and Frooxius and published by Yellow Dog Man Studios. Released on October 06th 2023 has received 1,215 reviews of which 994 were positive and 221 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 102 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free sandbox games on Steam.
7.8
994
221
102
players
7. The Powder Toy
The Powder Toy is a classic physics sandbox game, which simulates air pressure and velocity, heat, gravity and a countless number of interactions between different substances The Powder Toy is a simulation, sandbox and 2d game developed and published by The Powder Toy Team. Released on June 14th 2024 has received 1,727 reviews of which 1,703 were positive and 24 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free sandbox games on Steam.
9.4
1,703
24
98
players
8. MergeCrafter
Welcome to the magical world of Runaria! Explore dungeons, chop trees, mine rocks, and discover hidden treasure! Merge identical items to create valuable resources, Craft new tools and upgrade them with powerful enchantments! Setup passive mining drills and tree farms to rebuild your camp! MergeCrafter is a relaxing, sandbox and match 3 game developed and published by Fiveamp. Released on August 23rd 2022 has received 791 reviews of which 575 were positive and 216 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free sandbox games on Steam.
7.0
575
216
88
players
9. Haven & Hearth
A free-to-play MMORPG with crafting, building, landscaping, foraging, hunting, fishing, a dash of poetry, and open PvP combat, Haven & Hearth is a early access, mmorpg and rpg game developed and published by Seatribe. Released on November 01st 2024 has received 760 reviews of which 581 were positive and 179 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free sandbox games on Steam.
7.3
581
179
70
players
10. Egg Surprise
A fun clicker with economic simulation in the penguin kingdom. Obtain rare collections, venture into dangerous dungeons, and build your own civilization! Egg Surprise is a simulation, clicker and arcade game developed and published by SQRT Games. Released on June 20th 2024 has received 1,154 reviews of which 806 were positive and 348 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free sandbox games on Steam.
6.8
806
348
66
players