Terraria, Re-epic Logic’s 2D sandbox game, has quietly become one of the biggest and most popular indie games since its release nearly a decade ago, selling over 27 million copies. This rich and expansive romp is familiar and unique, combining Metroidvania gameplay with retro-style action and Minecraft-like crafting in a 2D environment. In addition, the charming pixel art has a visual charm that draws the player in and won’t let go. With this distinct fusion of genres and gameplay versatility, it can be not easy to find games that adhere to a similar style. However, numerous options draw on many of Terraria’s characteristics. This Games like Terraria list will include some high-quality games that, to varying degrees, resemble this indie gem.
16 Best Games like Terraria – Terraria Alternatives
Because of its massive scope and addictive, rewarding gameplay, this Metroidvania sandbox from 2011 has remained a favorite among many gamers despite its age. Terraria’s multiplatform releases, including its Stadia debut and a steady stream of updates, have also contributed to the game’s success. As a result, it is a good idea to provide fans with a few more great titles that should satisfy their Terraria cravings.
1. Minecraft
It’s easier to talk about Terraria by mentioning its 3D counterpart, Minecraft. Outside of the added third dimension, these two gems are eerily similar, and we mean that in the best possible way. This retro-style sandbox adventure, like Terraria, is jam-packed with activities. Players can take on intimidating bosses, have fun with their friends, or create their own story by exploring procedurally generated lands. One can construct complex structures, mine for riches deep underground, or go on monster-hunting adventures. Terraria and this similarly vast, open-world adventure have a lot of crossover appeal.
2. Starbound
Increase the scale and variety of elements in Re-adventure, Logic’s, and you get Starbound, a game that feels like a more epic version of Terraria on a spaceship, as the name implies. The main “hub” is the player’s ship, which will travel to several unique, colorful planets where players can gather goods and expand their one-person empire. Those who think Terraria is rich and expansive should try Chucklefish’s space Odyssey, which outperforms that experience.
3. Craft The World
According to the game’s developers, Dekovir – Craft the World incorporates Terraria, Dungeon Keeper, and Dwarf Fortress elements to round out this enjoyable romp. As a result, the game is addictive and dynamic, with elements of sandbox and strategy simulation. While the game focuses on fortress building and management rather than adventuring, there is a similar vibe to Re-game Logic when it comes to repelling attacks. It reminds me of fending off super-aggressive mobs at the home base during those hostile nights in Terraria. Those who enjoy displaying their indestructible Terraria fortresses while slaying monster hordes should check this out.
4. Steamworld Dig 2
Steamworld Dig – and especially its deeper sequel – emulates the exploration, mining, and combat characteristics of Terraria rather than building. Regardless, the experience is larger, more complex, and addictive than one would expect from this cute, cartoony indie. In the sequel, Image & Form will have players mining and hunting the night away as they take on the role of Dorothy, a steam-powered bot. They’ll travel from one opulent, distinct biome to the next, scavenging for riches, equipment, and other assets that can be bartered at the shop. This mining hero will begin modestly with nothing more than a pickaxe. On the other hand, Dorothy will gradually arm herself with stronger, more efficient tools and abilities, such as a bomb launcher. She’ll also be up against some exciting Terraria-style bosses.
5. Dragon Quest Builders 2
This sandbox RPG builder needs to be more appreciated, owing to its cute visuals and being overshadowed by the more famous mainline DQ games. Still, on its own, this sequel to Dragon Quest Builders is impressive in terms of how vast and diverse the experience is. The game features an engaging, streamlined campaign, a more traditional RPG plot, and monster-slaying combat. However, there is plenty of Minecraft-style building, resource gathering, and even some town management, resulting in a rich, well-rounded adventure. This sequel also expands on the multiplayer aspects, allowing players to team up with friends and explore this magnificent sandbox together.
6. Dig-N-Rig
Many people were initially drawn to Terraria because of its colorful retro style, which resembles late 8-bit or early 16-bit software. Dig-N-Rig evokes a similar artistic feeling, but it goes further back in time with its crude, blocky visuals reminiscent of early 1980s PC software. This game, created by DigiPen students, emphasizes mining and resource collection similarly but with a simpler premise and mechanics. Players take control of a mining robot, which must lay down conveyor belts and plunder increasingly deep depths to collect resources. These are then upgraded to more effective tools and other enhancements. This software, which combines a building simulator with mining and crafting, feels like a simplified but inventive new take on the Terraria formula.
7. Hollow Knight
While players will not be mining or building in this epic Metroidvania, it has a similar feel in combat and open-ended exploration. The game is set in a vast underground labyrinth with an eerie atmosphere, similar to Terraria’s underground mines and chasms. Despite its 2D sidescrolling, Hollow Knight gives players great freedom as they explore vast mazes of interlaced dungeons and corridors. This exploration combines thrilling combat and an intricate progression system, which capture Terraria’s arcade-style characteristics. As a result, team Cherry’s Metroidvania is an enthralling visual and gameplay experience.
8. Growtopia
Growtopia borrows heavily from the Terraria playbook in more ways than one. This delightful sandbox game takes the same free-flowing adventure and crafting elements from that game and simplifies them. Unlike other games like Terraria, this one can be played on nearly every modern platform, including mobile devices. In terms of gameplay, this cute little MMO is definitely on the lax, passive side. On the other hand, those who enjoy Terraria’s building and multiplayer aspects should have a good time with this colorful game. Finally, those who enjoy flexing their creative muscles in games but want to avoid being harassed by giant spiders or zombies should check out Growtopia.
9. Spelunky
Spelunky borrows heavily from the Terraria playbook in more ways than one. This delightful sandbox game takes the same free-flowing adventure and crafting elements from that game and simplifies them. Unlike other games like Terraria, this one can be played on nearly every modern platform, including mobile devices. In terms of gameplay, this cute little MMO is definitely on the lax, passive side. On the other hand, those who enjoy Terraria’s building and multiplayer aspects should have a good time with this colorful game. Finally, those who enjoy flexing their creative muscles in games but want to avoid being harassed by giant spiders or zombies should check out Spelunky.
10. Don’t Starve
Klei Entertainment’s artistic indie shares more than just Terraria’s publisher (505 games); it also shares the same sense of eerieness and urgency, as much of the time will be spent in a hostile land fighting for survival. Don’t Starve places the player in a dark and lonely foreign world that must be traversed to collect resources, cobble together settlements, and do whatever else is required to keep going. This game is creepy enough, but try dealing with the protagonist as they become increasingly insane and the hordes of insane monsters multiply. This roguelike survival-horror feels like a cross between Eternal Darkness and Terraria-style adventuring, with a charming Tim Burton vibe thrown in for good measure.
11. Forager
Forager has been described as “Zelda meets Stardew Valley meets Terraria,” it’s a tall order to be compared to such a prestigious lineup of games. Nonetheless, Forager is addictive and adorable enough to warrant attention. For those who enjoy survival and crafting games, the game goes all-in on its building and fighting to the point where many players have reported that hours pass in a flash while playing. The main objective is to buy land, build, and explore from the ground up, clearing and developing purchased lands to unlock more resources and gameplay. Of course, battling is another essential component, with raiding dungeons and defeating monsters to advance one’s quest for riches and glory.
12. Dig or Die
It isn’t easy to pick a favorite genre, so it’s always interesting and appealing when games combine genres in novel ways. Dig or Die is marketed as a Sci-Fi platformer, sandbox game, and tower defense game, and it works extremely well, according to reviews. Dig or Die deviates from Terraria in its detail and difficulty, in addition to its night dangers, tile system, and excessive exploration and mining. It becomes a real challenge at night to fend off the increasingly intelligent and cunning enemies who can destroy walls in their path to reach the player and their resources. However, the game also has fluid movement and controls, unique weapons, and a genuinely enjoyable crafting system that encourages building.
13. Crea
Crea is often compared to Terraria, but its RPG genre and vibe set it apart significantly. Not only does the player level up rather than improve their equipment but there are over 80 skills to learn via the game’s talent system (comparable to a skill tree). The game has its history and lore to discover, named monsters with special abilities to defeat, a robust crafting system to enjoy, and randomly generated worlds and dungeons to explore. Crea is ideal for those who enjoy RPG elements as well as Terraria.
14. Alchemage
This Early Access sandbox title is a great way to unwind at the end of the day. The Alchemage is unmistakably a Terraria clone, which is a good thing, and it contains many of the gameplay elements that players have come to love from the game, as well as great music, weather, and graphics. Players are dropped into a mysterious land and must work their way back home. Players can construct homes and shelters, fight monsters, explore their hearts’ content, and play multiplayer with friends.
15. Astroneer
A great game often has staying power, an addictive, timeless appeal that keeps beckoning the player back for more. This is true for Terraria, and it is also true for many others who have discovered System Era Softworks’ hidden gem. Astroneer, like Re-title, Logic presents a visually simple yet deep wilderness to explore and colonize in an open-ended manner. The game feels like a hybrid of Minecraft and the sci-fi film The Martian, with an astronaut exploring foreign planets in search of crafting materials and resources. These tasks enable them to complete challenges, build structures, and reshape the land. The game has plenty to offer solo explorers, but the co-op mode adds even more depth and enjoyment to the experience.
16. It Lurks Below
This game has a lot in common with Terraria, especially in aesthetics and gameplay. It Lurks Below is an action-oriented survival RPG with stats and character classes that will appeal to RPG veterans. There are also randomly generated underground levels with enemies, items, and excitement. This game was released in 2018 and has received continuous updates and support. Cooking and farming, quests, crafting potions, holiday events, and a plethora of weapons to collect keep players busy.
Wrapping Up: Games like Terraria
Prepare to explore, mine, craft, and build your way to a new adventure with all of the Games like Terraria listed above. If you were looking for a few games like Terraria, you now have around 16 games that are just as enjoyable and amazing as Terraria. Also, please let us know if you know of any other games like Terraria we should know. Please leave a comment.