Sandbox Games That Defined The Genre

Summary

• Sandbox games provide unparalleled freedom and creativity in vast open-world environments.
• Titles like Ultima Online, Star Wars Galaxies, and GTA 5 have redefined the genre.
• Games like No Man’s Sky, Elite Dangerous, and Minecraft offer unique experiences and total freedom.

Sandbox games offer players unparalleled freedom to explore, create, and shape their virtual worlds without the confines of a linear structure. These games often provide vast, open-world environments, a range of activities to enjoy, and open-ended gameplay, fostering creativity and immersion.

Over the years, numerous titles have redefined the genre, setting new standards for player interaction and freedom, as well as the size and quality of the world the player inhabits. Whether exploring space, roleplaying in a virtual urban environment, or simply building impressive creations, these games have pushed the envelope and helped to define the genre in some way or another.

8

Ultima Online

The First Sandbox MMORPG

Ultima Online was launched in 1997, meaning that it is one of the longest-running MMORPGs of all time, some 27 years at the time of writing. But it isn’t just the longevity that makes the game special, or the reason why it made this list. It was also the first sandbox MMORPG.

The gameplay in UO takes place on a huge open-world map, and players are free to take any actions they choose. The game uses a classless system, with players free to spend their 700 skill points on any of the game’s skill trees, mixing and matching them to create a unique build. Furthermore, the UO game economy relies on player crafters and player resource gatherers as well.

7

Star Wars Galaxies

Controversial Sandbox MMORPG

Star Wars Galaxies is now often seen as being ahead of its time. Unfortunately, during its short life, this was actually a detriment rather than a bonus. With its unique resource spawning system and detailed research and crafting gameplay, the economy relied on players to cooperate to farm resources and build items and equipment. And this is the reason it is included on this list. Not just a player-run economy, but resource and supply chains requiring deep player interaction.

Players were free to take skills from any of the game’s skill trees, as long as they unlocked the prerequisites, to create specialized builds. Furthermore, it was quite possible for a player to be both a crafter and a fighter in this game. Unfortunately, some poor decisions led the game away from its sandbox roots, which ultimately contributed to its downfall.

6

No Man’s Sky

Sandbox Space Exploration

No Man’s Sky is widely renowned as one of the best space exploration and survival titles to date. Players can tackle the game solo, or play together in a huge open universe with over 4 trillion star systems.

What makes No Man’s Sky worthy of a place on this list, is that aside from a few key systems that are part of a game plat of one of the community expeditions, every star system, planet, biome, create and planet is entirely procedurally generated. Sure, the game had something of a rocky launch, but it has gone from strength to strength since then.

5

Elite Dangerous

Massive Accurate Galaxy

Elite Dangerous makes this list for a very particular reason. It features an astronomically correct recreation of the Milky Way galaxy. To put this into context, this means that the game has over 400 billion star systems for players to explore in this sandbox space game.

As with some of the other games on this list, its uniqueness has often seen the game struggle to become widely accepted, as it doesn’t fit into any single genre, and can be very challenging for new players. But as open-world sandbox games go, there is none bigger.

4

Grand Theft Auto 5

Freedom Of Choice For Players

This list wouldn’t be complete without featuring GTA 5. At the time of writing, it was the second most successful game ever, behind Minecraft. The dynamic open-world map and sandbox-style gameplay in GTA 5 allow the player to exercise full agency, which is why it is on this list.

In recent years, GTA 5 has switched over to a live-service model, and the multiplayer version, GTA Online, has become wildly popular. Players are free to live their virtual lives in any way they see fit in this urban sandbox game. Engaging roleplay possibilities abound in this game, and this is another reason why it made this list.

3

EVE Online

Emergent Player-Driven Politics

EVE Online has been operating for more than two decades, and is still widely popular in 2024. The fan base is incredibly loyal, with some players living an entire alternative life within the game. It makes this list due to the way that the political landscape is entirely shaped by player-run corporations and alliances.

However, the player-driven economy would also be a valid reason for it to be added to this list as well. Since launch, EVE Online has repeatedly set world records for the number of players in a single battle, and the largest value of game assets destroyed in a battle.

2

Minecraft

Total Freedom To Build

We have already had the second most successful game ever on this list, GTA 5. Now it is time to present the most successful, Minecraft. It makes this list due to the fact it offers players total freedom to build whatever they wish, with creativity only limited by the player’s imagination.

Additionally, Minecraft is a game that is accessible to players of all ages, without the need to purchase expensive gaming hardware. This is undoubtedly one of the main causes of the game’s massive success.

1

Red Dead Redemption 2

Sandbox Meets Movie

The final game on this list, Red Dead Redemption 2, has been included for the seamless way it incorporates sandbox gameplay and freedom of choice, into a game that has some of the best scripted gameplay around.

Furthermore, the way the player interacts with the open world is nothing short of incredible in the way creators and NPCs react to the player’s actions. Few games offer the same level of immersion as Red Dead Redemption 2, whilst still enabling the player to have complete freedom of action.