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
Esports Life Tycoon
Manage your own esports squad, expand your gaming house, and defeat legendary teams to become the best in the world!
Crusader Kings III
Love, fight, scheme, and claim greatness. Determine your noble house’s legacy in the sprawling grand strategy of Crusader Kings III. Death is only the beginning as you guide your dynasty’s bloodline in the rich and larger-than-life simulation of the Middle Ages.
Transport INC
Become the manager of the largest transport corporation ever! Create new planes, bus, trains and truck connections. Optimize them to ever-changing demands and adapt to unexpected events. Beat the competition. Connect cities all around the real world map!
Streamer Life Simulator
Streamer Life Simulator is a very comprehensive streamer life simulation game. Be the most popular streamer in the world.
Chef: A Restaurant Tycoon Game
Chef is a Restaurant Management game in which you create your own character, acquire supreme cooking skills, customize restaurants, design unique menus, and devise innovative recipes with a realistic editor.
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.
Kill It With Fire
Kill It With Fire is a first-person action game about hunting spiders and causing collateral damage.
Parkasaurus
Parkasaurus is a dinosaur tycoon management simulation where you take care of your dinosaurs by constructing well-designed exhibits, researching specialized technologies, and maximizing profits to expand into the ultimate dinosaur theme park. Do you favor development for guests or your dinosaurs?
The Infected
The Infected is a survival crafting game set in an open world sandbox. Build your base defend and protect yourself from wildlife and infected Vambies. (Hybrid Vampire-Zombie)
Empyrion - Galactic Survival
Build and explore in a true space sandbox survival adventure. Construct mighty capital vessels, sprawling planetary settlements, and vast space stations in your galactic journey to discover the mysteries of Empyrion!
Littlewood
The world has already been saved. Now it's time to rebuild your town, learn new hobbies, and forge lifelong friendships in this peaceful and relaxing RPG.
Destroy All Humans!
The cult-classic returns! Terrorize the people of 1950's Earth in the role of the evil alien Crypto-137. Harvest their DNA and bring down the US government in the faithful remake of the legendary alien invasion action adventure. Annihilate puny humans using an assortment of alien weaponry and psychic abilities.
Skater XL - The Ultimate Skateboarding Game
Experience unparalleled board control and responsiveness while you skate iconic real-world skate spots. This is the evolution of skateboarding gameplay. With Independent Foot Control and unique physics-based gameplay, skate gamers finally have the expressive controls they have always dreamed of.
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!
Paper Beast
An exploration and adventure game about wildlife sprung from the depths of the internet. An unknown power seems to upset its balance. Join forces with exotic creatures to unravel the mysteries of this universe.
RPG World - Action RPG Maker
RPG World – THE Action RPG Maker! Unleash your imagination with RPG World and create, share and play amazing 3D games with our growing community. Claim glory and treasure as you conquer magical worlds, alone or as a team. No coding required!
Kill It With Fire: HEATWAVE
Kill It With Fire: Heatwave is a free chapter of a first-person action game about hunting spiders and causing collateral damage. The full game is OUT NOW!
Wobbly Life
Wobbly Life is a vibrant open-world physics sandbox. Play with your friends online or in local co-op, with exciting jobs, mini games and wacky story missions. Earn cash to spend in the world on clothes, vehicles and houses. There is a whole Wobbly World out there to explore!
Starship EVO
Create the Starship of your dreams, explore the vast expanse of the galaxy, land on planets and jump into epic space battles. Experience a truly unique and powerful building engine where your imagination is the limit. Welcome to the next evolution in Space Sandbox gaming!
The Sims™ 4
Play with life and discover the possibilities. Unleash your imagination and create a world of Sims that’s wholly unique. Explore and customize every detail from Sims to homes–and much more.
Need for Speed™ Payback
Set in the underworld of Fortune Valley, you and your crew were divided by betrayal and reunited by revenge to take down The House, a nefarious cartel that rules the city’s casinos, criminals and cops. In this corrupt gambler’s paradise, the stakes are high and The House always wins.
Summer in Mara
Take care of your own island and sail with your boat in this cozy farming adventure! Relax and unwind exploring a tropical archipelago or harvesting your own crops while helping others. Discover the story of Summer in Mara, with farming, crafting and exploring mechanics.
Colt Canyon
Shoot your way through a hostile canyon full of hidden treasures, weapons, obstacles and all kinds of bloodthirsty scum! Colt Canyon is a stylish pixel art shooter with roguelike elements and real-time combat where you save your kidnapped partner from the ruthless bandits.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 20th 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 25,456 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.7
1,359,264
34,990
25,456
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 207,748 reviews of which 203,531 were positive and 4,217 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. While seeing 24,021 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among sandbox games based on player count.
9.7
203,531
4,217
24,021
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 21,699 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
21,699
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 212,987 reviews of which 206,579 were positive and 6,408 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 19,717 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played sandbox games.
9.6
206,579
6,408
19,717
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 81,775 reviews of which 64,605 were positive and 17,170 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 9,878 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played sandbox games.
7.8
64,605
17,170
9,878
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 70,060 reviews of which 66,148 were positive and 3,912 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 6,999 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played sandbox games.
9.3
66,148
3,912
6,999
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 53,988 reviews of which 50,146 were positive and 3,842 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 5,250 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played sandbox games.
9.1
50,146
3,842
5,250
players
8. 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 278,502 reviews of which 274,557 were positive and 3,945 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.8 out of 10. With 4,934 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played sandbox games.
9.8
274,557
3,945
4,934
players
9. 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 4,506 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played sandbox games.
9.0
78,784
7,707
4,506
players
10. Space Engineers
Space Engineers is a sandbox game about engineering, construction, exploration and survival in space and on planets. Players build space ships, space stations, planetary outposts of various sizes and uses, pilot ships and travel through space to explore planets and gather resources to survive. Space Engineers is a space, sandbox and building game developed and published by Keen Software House. Released on February 28th 2019 has received 131,727 reviews of which 116,631 were positive and 15,096 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. With 4,423 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played sandbox games.
8.7
116,631
15,096
4,423
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 20th 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 1,330 reviews of which 860 were positive and 470 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
860
470
-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 1,894 were positive and 412 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
1,894
412
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
7. 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 11,683 reviews of which 10,962 were positive and 721 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 #7 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
9.1
10,962
721
-93%
21.14€
1.48€
8. 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 #8 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
8.3
1,294
195
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
9. 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 624 reviews of which 400 were positive and 224 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
6.2
400
224
-93%
20.57€
1.44€
10. TerraTech
TerraTech is an open-world, sandbox adventure game, where you design and build your own creations through a mix of crafting, combat and discovery. Design vehicles from a huge library of blocks. Scavenge, craft and buy new parts to survive and become the ultimate planetary prospector. TerraTech is a building, sandbox and open world game developed and published by Payload Studios. Released on August 10th 2018 has received 23,221 reviews of which 21,196 were positive and 2,025 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
8.9
21,196
2,025
-92%
25.75€
2.06€
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 20th 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 81,775 reviews of which 64,605 were positive and 17,170 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 9,878 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free sandbox games on Steam.
7.8
64,605
17,170
9,878
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 92,331 reviews of which 74,109 were positive and 18,222 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 934, this sandbox game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free sandbox games on Steam.
7.9
74,109
18,222
934
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 590, this sandbox game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free sandbox games on Steam.
9.4
13,577
542
590
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 42,600 reviews of which 28,314 were positive and 14,286 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 283 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free sandbox games on Steam.
6.6
28,314
14,286
283
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 2,303 reviews of which 1,427 were positive and 876 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 193 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free sandbox games on Steam.
6.1
1,427
876
193
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 176 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
176
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. Attracting a solid base of 124 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free sandbox games on Steam.
9.4
1,703
24
124
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. Attracting a solid base of 108 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free sandbox games on Steam.
7.0
575
216
108
players
9. 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 1,163 reviews of which 810 were positive and 353 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free sandbox games on Steam.
6.7
810
353
98
players
10. 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 #10 spot among the most played free sandbox games on Steam.
7.3
581
179
72
players