Best Sandbox Games

NXTO's catalog has 769 sandbox games. These 30 rank highest once player ratings, Metacritic scores and Steam reviews are combined. The top three: Red Dead Redemption 2, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Stardew Valley.

How it's ranked: a blend of RAWG player ratings, Metacritic and Steam reviews, adjusted so games with very few ratings can't outrank well-proven ones. Times are average player-reported playtime, so treat them as rough guides.

1. 1
   

   Red Dead Redemption 2

   2018ActionPC, Xbox One, PS4 ★ 4.7/5⏱ ~50.7 h to beat
2. 2
   

   The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

   2017Adventure, ActionSwitch ★ 4.5/5⏱ ~50.3 h to beat
3. 3
   

   Stardew Valley

   2016Indie, RPGPC, Xbox One, PS4 ★ 4.5/5⏱ ~53.4 h to beat
4. 4
   

   Fallout: New Vegas

   2010Shooter, ActionPC, Xbox One, PS4 ★ 4.5/5⏱ ~26.7 h to beat
5. 5
   

   The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

   2002Action, RPGPC ★ 4.5/5⏱ ~43.4 h to beat
6. 6
   

   Mount & Blade: Warband

   2010Action, RPG ★ 4.5/5⏱ ~74.3 h to beat
7. 7
   

   RimWorld

   2016Strategy, IndiePC ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~65.6 h to beat
8. 8
   

   The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

   2023Adventure, ActionSwitch ★ 4.4/5
9. 9
   

   Satisfactory

   2024Indie, StrategyPC ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~111.9 h to beat
10. 10
    

    Factorio

    2020Casual, StrategyPC, Switch ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~53.1 h to beat
11. 11
    

    HUMAN FALL FLAT!

    2019Adventure, Simulation ★ 4.4/5
12. 12
    

    Dwarf Fortress

    2006Strategy, IndiePC ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~48 h to beat
13. 13
    

    SpaceEngine

    2019Casual, IndiePC ★ 4.4/5~1 h avg. playtime
14. 14
    

    Ostriv

    Strategy, SimulationPC ★ 4.4/5~4 h avg. playtime
15. 15
    

    RollerCoaster Tycoon

    1999StrategyPC ★ 4.4/5~1 h avg. playtime
16. 16
    

    Forza Horizon 4

    2018Racing, ArcadePC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~15.6 h to beat
17. 17
    

    Minecraft

    2009Action, ArcadePC, Xbox One, PS4 ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~65.3 h to beat
18. 18
    

    Grand Theft Auto IV

    2008Adventure, ActionPC, Xbox One ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~27 h to beat
19. 19
    

    Hitman: Blood Money

    2006Shooter, ActionPC, PS4 ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~11.8 h to beat
20. 20
    

    shapez

    2020PuzzlePC ★ 4.4/5
21. 21
    

    Subnautica

    2018Indie, AdventurePC, PS5, Xbox One ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~29.6 h to beat
22. 22
    

    People Playground

    2019Casual, IndiePC ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~3.7 h to beat
23. 23
    

    Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

    2015Shooter, ActionPC, Xbox One, PS4 ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~45.7 h to beat
24. 24
    

    Against the Storm

    2023Strategy, SimulationPC ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~37.5 h to beat
25. 25
    

    Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood

    2010ActionPC, Xbox One, PS4 ★ 4.3/5~16 h avg. playtime
26. 26
    

    Crusader Kings III

    2020Strategy, RPGPC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~72.6 h to beat
27. 27
    

    Kerbal Space Program

    2015Indie, SimulationPC, Xbox One, PS4 ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~110.2 h to beat
28. 28
    

    Hot Dogs, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades

    2016Indie, ActionPC ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~35 h to beat
29. 29
    

    Fallout 2

    1998RPGPC ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~30.4 h to beat
30. 30
    

    Dyson Sphere Program

    2021Strategy, IndiePC ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~67.5 h to beat

More game lists