7 Best Free-To-Play Sandbox Games

Sandbox games allow the player to explore the game world, and interact with it in a free-form style. Many sandbox games are also creative in nature, empowering the player to build anything they can imagine. Some titles incorporate sandbox-style gameplay into a gaming experience that includes a story or plot, as well as other gameplay mechanics such as character progression.

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Most pay-to-play sandbox games offer a full gaming experience, such as survival elements, exploration, combat, quests, resource gathering, and crafting. However, there are a number of free-to-play offerings that offer similar, if maybe not as highly-polished features, that paid titles include.

7

Creativerse

Inspired By Minecraft

• Platforms: GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows, Classic Mac OS
• Released: August 12, 2014
• Developer: Playful Studios
• Genre: Role-playing game, Open world, Action game, Sandbox game.

Minecraft is one of the most successful games of all time, so it is no surprise that it has spawned a number of copycat and tribute games. Creativerse is such a game. However, rather than simply copying the gameplay mechanics of Minecraft, it expands on them, and also has better visuals.

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The high-definition voxel gameworld can be transformed in the same way as Minecraft. The game features extensive automation mechanics, and also has full multiplayer capabilities. Alongside the creative aspects of the game, it also features different biomes that are populated by enemies, and also lots of puzzles for a player to solve. It must be stressed that, in many ways, Creativerse is actually better than the game that inspired it. Anyone that has enjoyed Minecraft should give it a try.

6

Roblox

A Full Game Creation Platform

Released

September 1, 2006

Developer(s)

Roblox Corporation

Roblox is far more than a sandbox game, it provides users with an entire platform for creating games, and sharing them with like-minded gamers. However, Roblox does come with some more traditional sandbox scenarios as well, such as Build A Boat For Treasure, Bloxburg, and Brookhaven.

The level of freedom that players have for creating within Roblox is incredible. They really are free to create anything they can think of, once they have mastered the skills needed to do so. Roblox also has a massive community, with help and advice available readily. Users can monetize their Roblox creations by adding them to the Roblox Creator Hub as well.

5

Unturned

Zombie Survival Sandbox

Released

July 7, 2014

Developer(s)

Smartly Dressed Games

Unturned is a block-based, open-world, zombie survival game. Players need to scavenge supplies and equipment, construct bases, and find a way to fight off the zombie hordes. It has a full weapon crafting system as well as customizable vehicles.

This might look like a simple sandbox game, but this is far from the truth. The survival mechanics rival those of pay-to-play games, and with a vibrant modding community, there are always new gameplay features that can be modded in. Unturned has gameplay to suit most players, from farming to PvP base raiding, and everything in between. As a free-to-play game, Unturned has a lot to offer players, being one of the best free zombie survival games with sandbox gameplay features.

4

Luanti

Open-Source Sandbox Game

• Platforms: Linux, Microsoft Windows, Android, FreeBSD, Mac operating systems
• Released: November 2, 2010
• Developer: Minetest team
• Genres: Sandbox game

Luanti was iriginally named Minetest, and with a name like Minetest, it should be easy to work out where this free, open-source sandbox game took a lot of inspiration from. The base game isn’t as feature-rich as other offerings on this list. However, it has a massive modding community, and the same is true for creators who publish content for the game.

Luanti is of special interest to casual gamers that do not have access to full-blown gaming hardware, as the game has very low requirements. Indeed, this is likely the reason for its popularity, as the bar to entry is very low.

3

Vintage Story

Historical Sandbox Survival

Vintage Story

Released

September 27, 2016

Developer(s)

Anego Studios

Vantage Story has a paid version and a free-to-play version. The free or classic version shares many gameplay features with the paid offering. Gameplay takes place in a prehistoric world, featuring some survival mechanics, but focusing more on creation.

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Players can craft and build anything they like, as well as take part in activities such as farming, or exploring the games lore-rich world. The metallurgy system is of special note, as it is well thought out and quite comprehensive. Overall, the classic version of Vintage Story is a fully fleshed-out, free sandbox game.

2

Mythruna

Voxel Sandbox Role-Playing Game

• Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, Linux
• Released: April 21, 2022
• Developer: Simsilica
• Genre: Sandbox game

Mythruna is an excellent role-playing game in its own right, but it is also a voxel-based sandbox game as well. It was once a cult classic, however, development has slowed down now, and it is not as popular as it once was. Yet despite this, it still takes a fairly high place on this list, as it is an extremely well-put-together game.

With its immersive fantasy setting and rich lore, it can be played as an RPG, with a great game world to explore. However, it also has a deep crafting system, and creative players have plenty of scope to build in Mythruna.

1

Wurm Online

Sandbox MMO

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Java
• Released: June 6, 2006
• Developer: Code Club AB
• Genre: Massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Free-to-play, Indie game, Massively Multiplayer, Adventure

Wurm Online has a free version, with an optional monthly subscription. Even though this is an MMO title, it isn’t comparable to the likes of World of Warcraft, for example. Gameplay is quite slow and relaxed, with a focus on crafting and build, rather than questing and combat.

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Players can impact the game directly, changing the world map, and constructing creations. The economy is entirely player-driven, and large projects might take several players collaborating to complete. Player towns and kingdoms provide the backdrop for adventure for players who want to take a break from creating.

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