Best Open-World Games That Let You Build a Home from Scratch

A home is a very important pillar of a happy life. It represents security and comfort, a safe place to rest and relax after a tough day, knowing that there should be no dangers present. In video games, particularly the open-world variety, there are tons of life-threatening situations when out exploring, so knowing that there is a secure location is a comforting feeling.

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Some games provide ready-made properties, which can be customized at times, but there are other games where a home can be crafted on an empty plot of land, completely built to the player’s desired specifications. Among these open-world games are some of the most in-depth and wide-ranging housing design features in all gaming.

10

Fallout 4

Build Useful Settlements In The Wasteland

Released

November 10, 2015

ESRB

M FOR MATURE: BLOOD AND GORE, INTENSE VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE, USE OF DRUGS

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Across post-apocalyptic Boston, players can rebuild settlements in Fallout 4, adding to existing structures on the pre-determined sites or constructing entirely new buildings. There are 37 locations in total in the main game and DLCs that can be built upon, and settlers can be invited to breathe some life into these small communities.

Players are free to design their own home as they see fit, with a wide variety of customization options, and can even implement useful features like crop harvesting and trading posts. Other Bethesda open-world RPGs contain the ability to build a home from scratch, such as Skyrim and Starfield, but many feel that Fallout 4’s base-building is the best and most useful.

9

7 Days to Die

Homes Are Vital For Survival

Released

December 13, 2013

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence

Developer(s)

The Fun Pimps

OpenCritic Rating

Weak

If players wish to survive in 7 Days to Die’s zombie-infested areas of Navezgane, it is essential to have a secure home base. Many players will simply move into an existing abandoned building and reinforce it to keep enemies out during those long nights, but it is possible to build a structure entirely from scratch.

There are many options and materials that players can choose from, ranging from small wooden shacks to gargantuan concrete monoliths. The only real limit is the player’s imagination, the materials they have available, and their ability to survive against the many dangers present in the game world.

8

No Man’s Sky

Build A Home On An Alien Planet

Adventure

Action

Survival

Released

August 9, 2016

ESRB

T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Animated Blood

OpenCritic Rating

Fair

Since the disappointment of its launch, No Man’s Sky has been constantly updated and now has a dedicated fanbase, with one enduringly popular aspect of the space exploration game being base building. Creative players have come up with all manner of complex designs, thanks to the high level of customization options available.

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Over 400 bases can be constructed per player, as long as certain requirements are met at the desired locations, so there is very little to stop any prospective architects from building their dream home from the ground up. These personal hubs can even be useful for storage, farming, and recharging certain items.

7

Rust

Safe Haven In A Harsh World

Released

February 8, 2018

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Violence

OpenCritic Rating

Fair

The harsh open world of Rust may not seem like the ideal place to lay foundations for a home, but that doesn’t stop players from trying. Despite the many threats to survival, from wild animals and other human players to starvation and radiation, some still try to craft a secure base that is cozy and welcoming.

There are five tiers of building strength, starting at the Twig Tier, which is the weakest and easiest to destroy during a raid, and the pinnacle being the Armored Tier. Stability is also a major concern, as collapse is a real possibility if walls, floors, and other frameworks can not support the weight of the structures above.

6

Conan Exiles

Strong Base-Building Mechanics In A Brutal World

Survival

Action-Adventure

Released

May 8, 2018

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Nudity, Use of Alcohol

OpenCritic Rating

Fair

Despite the initial mixed reception, Conan Exiles is beloved by many players, especially for its strong building mechanics. While trying to survive in the brutal Exiled Lands and beyond, a strong base with traps and defenses is critical, from a small home to a fortified castle or even an entire city-like structure.

Among the many aggressive enemies are even some NPC human characters, who can be captured and employed within these fortifications as thralls, enhancing certain abilities like crafting speed or melee combat. Utilizing the powerful building system can be the difference maker while trying to survive and dominate in the world of Conan the Barbarian.

5

Terraria

Build A Perfect 2D Home

Dig, Fight, Explore, Build: The very world is at your fingertips as you fight for survival, fortune, and glory. Will you delve deep into cavernous expanses in search of treasure and raw materials with which to craft ever-evolving gear, machinery, and aesthetics? Perhaps you will choose instead to seek out ever-greater foes to test your mettle in combat? Maybe you will decide to construct your own city to house the host of mysterious allies you may encounter along your travels?

In the World of Terraria, the choice is yours!

Blending elements of classic action games with the freedom of sandbox-style creativity, Terraria is a unique gaming experience where both the journey and the destination are completely in the player’s control. The Terraria adventure is truly as unique as the players themselves!

Are you up for the monumental task of exploring, creating, and defending a world of your own?

Released

May 16, 2011

ESRB

T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Cartoon Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol

Platform(s)

PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Vita, iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, 3DS, Stadia, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

In terms of building a home, Terraria is virtually limitless as long as players have the required materials and tools. In order to be recognized by the game as a house, it must consist of at least 60 blocks and contain walls, a floor, and a ceiling, meaning that the most basic structure is 5×12 blocks.

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Apart from being useful for players to have a home of their own as they aim to survive and thrive in the game, NPCs can also move into these player-created buildings. Sometimes this occurs naturally, but players can even assign these handy characters a house as they see fit, and there are several achievements in the game linked to NPC homes.

4

Enshrouded

Survive In Embervale With A Cozy Home

Survival

Open-World

Action RPG

Systems

Released

January 24, 2024

Developer(s)

Keen Games

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Right from the very beginning of Enshrouded, players are encouraged to build a base of their own, since the world of Embervale poses many threats to player safety. Taking refuge in a self-built home allows players to take a break from the dangers and plan their next moves in terms of defense or exploration.

An area must be claimed using a stone altar, which will act as the center of the base or home and give players a hefty amount of land to build upon. Players are then free to build as they wish, so long as they have the correct materials and stay within the boundaries, and rescuing the Blacksmith near Braelyn Bridge is also extremely useful.

3

Valheim

Surviving In A Fantasy Viking World

Systems

Released

February 2, 2021

ESRB

r

Developer(s)

Iron Gate AB

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

In the rugged world of Valheim¸ inspired by Norse mythology, survival can be difficult, and building a home, a base, and several outposts can be critical to staying alive. A hammer can be crafted from the very beginning of the game without the use of a workbench, and this will allow players to build a home of their own.

As long as players stay within the area of their workbench, they may construct building blocks that make up their desired structure. Initial builds will be made of wood, but gradually players can upgrade the materials used to really fortify their strongholds. However, they must bear in mind structural integrity and gradual decay to prevent their buildings from collapsing.

2

Minecraft

Almost Infinite House Building Potential

Released

November 18, 2011

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence

Platform(s)

3DS, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

As one of the best-selling video games of all time, most people are now familiar with the freedom and creativity of Minecraft. Despite being over a decade old, Minecraft still receives regular updates, including new possibilities when it comes to building materials and biomes in which players can settle down.

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From the very beginning, it is encouraged that some form of shelter is constructed or found in the form of a village if players wish to survive during the night when monsters come out. As more materials are collected and constructed, it’s even possible to create traps to harm enemies, and some fortifications can even be damaged by hostile mobs on harder difficulty levels.

1

The Sims 3

The Sims, But Open-World

Released

June 2, 2009

ESRB

T For Teen due to Crude Humor, Sexual Themes, Violence

For the first time in the popular life simulation series, The Sims 3 opted for a completely open world, allowing sims to move around the neighborhood without any loading screens. One of the main selling points for players of The Sims series is house building, and this third entry boasts even more possibilities than its predecessors.

For those with patience and a keen eye for design, it’s possible to go into granular detail when it comes to construction, even allowing adjustment to roof pitch on every individual segment. No open-world game can really challenge The Sims 3 when it comes to building customization options and constructing a home where Sims can thrive is one of the most satisfying experiences in gaming.

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