Re-Logic’s epic 2D sandbox game,Terraria, has become one of the biggest, most played indie games since its launch over a decade ago, selling tens of millions. This rich, expansive romp manages to be both familiar and unique; blendingMetroidvania gameplaywith retro-style action andMinecraft-like crafting in a 2D space
The charming pixel art brings a visual charm that draws in the player and refuses to let go. With this distinct blend of genres and endless versatility, it can be tough to find games that adhere to a similar style. Yet, there are plenty of choices that draw from some ofTerraria’s key elements. These are thebest games likeTerraria.
Updated on July 30, 2025, by Gerardo Molina:Games like Terraria are fun for players of all ages, as they offer multiple things to keep them entertained and hooked for hours on end. Whether it is resource gathering, exploration, crafting and mining, there’s always something to do. And this gets even better when there’s a goal to accomplish and a community to manage, as it increases the sense of responsibility and thus the sense of satisfaction once a task is successfully completed. Regardless of the setting, the characters, or the year of release, these games always have something to offer players and keep the genre popular for years to come.
Supporting up to 8 players,Core Keeperoffers a fun experience where players will find themselves in an underground cave filled with technology that appears to be obsolete.
Fighting and digging in every direction are some of the key parts of this game, and thanks to the procedurally generated areas this title has to offer, there’s never a shortage of fun or two experiences that are exactly alike. The survival mechanics feel great and challenging enough, but without taking away from the rest of the experience.
RimWorldputs players in a difficult situation, where they’ll be stranded on procedurally generated planets in the farthest reaches of space. Similar to other games in this genre, players will have to figure out different ways to survive the hostile conditions of their current location and fight against the many dangers lurking in the shadows.
With the game’s main goal being to escape the inhospitable planet, players' efforts should be mostly focused on either building a spaceship ot finding a broken-down one to use as transportation and survive the adventure.
This 2017 title from Keen Games stresses social multiplayer gameplay with up to four players, giving a wide berth to play around with in its vibrant sandbox worlds. At the same time, there’s much for solo knights to partake in too, as they can craft many items and weapons, slay monsters, and build complex structures.
Portal Knightslargely parallels the mechanics and goals ofTerraria, while adding a cuter vibe and a third dimension. The game feels quiteMinecraft-esque as one might expect; though with sleeker visuals and a more user-friendly interface that’s less overwhelming.
Despite its namesake, there’s little this dungeon-crawling spin-off has in common withMinecraft, let alone Re-Logic’s game, from a purely mechanical standpoint. Yet, fans should appreciate the fusion of retro-style visuals, deep exploration, and the onslaught of combatMinecraft Dungeonsbrings.
The game stresses bartering, customization, and randomized factors — all of which balance the fun-but-repetitive fighting with some depth and freedom. While the core game was fairly scant,various DLC packshave augmented the experience since its release.
22MoonQuest
Diverse Locations That Keep The Game Interesting
Wizard Mode truly embraces both retro and modern open-world sensibilities withMoonQuest. The game is a free-roaming sandbox romp that has players shooting for the moon. The gripping exploration, crafting, and questing are enhanced by charming pixel art and lush biome backdrops that include icy mountains and ancient ruins.
Procedurally generated regions keep gamers on their toes, and a slew of unique characters beckons them to embark on multiple journeys. Gamers can play as a magic Elemental who can attune to ore, a Spartan laced with golden armor, a whimsical alien Moonman, and several others.
21Aegis Defenders
Gorgeous Art Style
Resembling the Blizzard hidden gemLost Vikingswith tower-defense gameplay,Aegis Defendersis a uniquely fun genre-bender that works surprisingly well. Gamers take charge as the ‘Ruinhunters’ Bart and his granddaughter Clu as they seek to keep a deadly super-weapon out of the hands of an evil empire.
Each colorful 2D stage has gamers shift between the two avatars with separate abilities taking out foes and solving puzzles to progress. This often leads to climactic showdowns, which shift into particularly fun tower-defense survival in 2D form, as waves of creatures pursue.Terrariafans should enjoy the 16-bit retro vibe, but also the light survival elements and item-building to help stave off foes.
Often considered the nextHarvest Moon—rife with even more features —Stardew Valleyquickly became a hit after its 2016 release. ConcernedApe’s cute-yet-expansive sim RPG is chock-full of appealing gameplay of all sorts. Players can focus on farming, crafting, management, and relationship-building insim fashion, which is especially fun with other players.
ThoughStardew Valleyalso brings more traditional gameplay components through cave journeying and fighting monsters or taking on quests. This marriage of modern sim features and retro RPG mechanics rounds out the experience and offers something for everyone.
Players will find it easy to get lost in this interstellar odyssey; a survival sim that pits three colonists on an asteroid. A hostile space rock will need to be civilized and cultivated, as players must learn to make do and craft an on-the-fly space colony.Oxygen Not Includedresembles the underground plundering or Re-Logic’s game in question, though decorates it with a vibrant and cute animated style.
While simple on some levels, the game keeps players guessing with its procedurally generated maps and multiple tasks to manage at once. As the name hints, players will also need to be careful not to lose precious oxygen, bringing a distinctly tricky element to the gameplay.
18Cube Life: Survival Island
A Great Game That Was Overshadowed By Minecraft
Starting out as an overtMinecraftclone on the Wii U, this obscure alternative has recently resurfaced on Switch. While overshadowed by Mojang’s game, which finally has a home on Nintendo’s console,Cube Lifeis at least distinct in a few areas. It certainly has some familiarMinecraftstaples, from its passive creative mode to its blocky graphics.
Yet, this title adheres a bit more closely to traditional gameplay structures, with its set (not randomized) island setting, and an actual story mode. Its more forgiving gameplay also makesCube Lifea suitable introductory game for those hesitant to dive into the grind ofMinecraftorTerraria. Its premise of hunkering down on an island should also draw fans of Re-Logic’s survival romp.
Take the survival and management traits ofMinecraftorTerrariaand shift the setting to the open sea — and this hidden gem for PC is the result. Like Re-Logic’s romp,Rafthas players using their wits, and a slew of items, to survive the vulnerable, hostile conditions surrounding them, either alone or with a friend.
As one might guess with an ocean locale, the game takes a more minimal approach. Still, there’s plenty to occupy oneself with while performing tasks on the life raft, and ample shark attacks to stave off in the meantime.
