The success of Minecraft with a seemingly simple gameplay (at first glance) continues to amaze to this day.
Even in 2022 (13 years after early access release), the sandbox still enjoys a lively community and continues to be provided with major updates.
So it's no wonder that other developers were also inspired by the concepts or features of the popular block world.
There are loads of games out there today that more or less tie in with the original - and I want to bring you some of the best of them. (personal opinion though)
So if you still enjoy playing Minecraft after all these years, but would like a little variety, then you've come to the right place.
Eco
Eco invites you into a completely changeable block world where you can mine resources, craft food and equipment, and construct buildings. As the name of the game suggests, there is another aspect to the fore here.
Because Eco wants to be a complex environmental simulation: All your actions, such as mining resources and operating factories, affect the ecosystem of your world. You can analyze your environmental impact and adjust your interactions with the planet accordingly. The ultimate goal is to develop a civilization that can stop an asteroid, but at the same time does not destabilize the ecosystem.
It all sounds incredibly ambitious, but it seems to be working quite well.
On Steam, the game has 82 percent positive ratings.
You can play Eco alone or with friends.
Available On Steam 25€ in Early Access - which is the most expensive game in this list.
Space Engineers
Space Engineers moves the open sandbox into space and lets you explore moons and planets. The worlds are also completely destructible and you can not only construct planetary outposts and space stations but also functioning spaceships.
Space Engineers also features a physics engine. For example, if you hit an asteroid with your spaceship, it can be damaged.
If you take the trouble to learn the complex mechanics, you can let off steam here and let your imagination run wild. You can play the extensive game in survival and creative mode. The latter allows you to build freely without needing resources. Space Engineers also has a co-op mode.
Available On Steam for 17€
Creativerse
Creativerse is still very reminiscent of Minecraft in many aspects. You explore, change and build on an open block world that looks very similar to the original. The block textures just look less pixelated and the style of the characters and creatures is also quite different from Minecraft.
Creativerse also wants to convince with new game mechanics and features. For example, you can move through the world with gliders and jetpacks, equip backpacks and use blueprints to build if you don't want to get creative yourself. When building your structures, you have around 400 different blocks at your disposal.
You can also construct machines that mine resources for you. These are said to be easier to create and use than redstone constructions in Minecraft. You only use a kind of glove to collect building materials, which simply sucks in the desired blocks.
Big difference:
Creativerse is available for FREE On Steam while the Pro version is about 20€
Terraria
Anyone who doesn't shy away from 2D games should take a look at Terraria. With more than 730,000 reviews on Steam, the extremely popular game boasts 98 percent positive ratings, making it one of the top-rated games there.
Even if you play Terraria completely in the side view, it is partly very reminiscent of Minecraft: in randomly generated worlds you cut down trees and dig for raw materials. Then you craft tools and build shelters that protect you and friendly NPCs from nasty creatures at night.
You will also fight bosses, explore dungeons and look for new equipment. There are a variety of modes to choose from, from the rock-solid Master Mode to Journey Mode, which puts you in complete control of the difficulty of your gaming experience.
Terraria impresses above all with its scope, but can also convince with the design of its worlds and the long-term motivation.
Available On Steam for 10€
Minetest
Minetest may not be Minecraft, but it looks and feels like it - almost as if it were a trial version.
You also explore a randomly generated world made up of destructible blocks, mine resources and construct buildings according to your imagination.
In 2022, the active community will continue to create mods for Minetest that you can use to customize your gaming experience.
Of course, you can't expect the quality or scope of Minecraft from the free game.
But Minetest plays surprisingly well and is regularly updated.
You can get the game for FREE on the Official Website