Jorie McKibbin 
To call Minecraft “massively popular” would be an understatement, and many fans love it so much they find themselves looking for more games like it.
There’s no shortage of games that are similar to Minecraft out there. Many of these are dreadful shovelware clones, but others are unique masterpieces in their own right. Players who can’t get enough mining and crafting will find they can do both, and much more, in a host of other block-based worlds.
In fact, the market is so oversaturated with similar games, consumers may be uncertain where to begin. Here are the five best games to play for those who like Minecraft.
Build, craft, create, and socialize in Roblox
The most obvious place to begin is with one of Minecraft’s biggest competitors. The open-ended sandbox and social game Roblox has become a true rival to Minecraft in many ways, even though it has evolved in a very different direction.
More than just a game, Roblox’s creative tools are so robust that they allow users to create not only their own worlds, but even their own games. In Roblox, players can build structures and craft items, but they can also use programming tools to design a completely unique experience.
Minecraft fans who enjoy showing off their creations to their friends will love the creative freedom and social options Roblox offers. Even if that’s not the case, the sheer number of user-created games guarantees that everyone will find something to enjoy.
Explore a dense, 2D block world in Terraria
Minecraft fans new to Terraria have often referred to it as “2D Minecraft,” and for good reason.
Even though it has one fewer dimension to work with, Terraria’s world is just as vast. In fact, Terraria manages to pack even more content into its dense, multi-layered world space.
Players who just want to relax and build cool things will find plenty of creative ways to do so, and those who seek the thrills of combat and exploration will not be disappointed either. Terraria’s world offers something for everyone, with gorgeous pixel art, open-ended exploration, and challenging boss battles. This would combine to make for a great game under any circumstances, but it also makes Terraria arguably the best Minecraft alternative out there.
Survive a harsh but beautiful world in Vintage Story
Fans of Minecraft’s survival mode who find themselves wishing it was more robust and fully featured may find exactly what they’re looking for with the hidden indie gem Vintage Story.
Vintage Story makes players earn their way to survival with a complex, multi-step crafting process. Players gradually go from using sticks and stones to bronze and iron as more options become available. With an undercurrent of Lovecraftian-inspired horror, challenging survival mechanics, and a stunningly beautiful world, Vintage Story keeps players coming back for more.
Build the perfect farm and make new friends in Stardew Valley
At first glance, Stardew Valley and Minecraft may not seem to have much in common, but ConcernedApe’s smash-hit farming sim shares more than one might think with the voxel classic.
One of Minecraft’s greatest joys in survival mode is the player’s freedom to build the homestead of their dreams, complete with a cozy and productive farm. Stardew Valley players need to catch fish, fight through caves, and make friends in order to get by. Players who want to enjoy a more relaxing alternative to survival mode don’t need to look any further.
Look forward to the next big Voxel adventure in Hytale
Hytale is an ambitious upcoming game that promises to be a spiritual successor to the beloved Minecraft. This new title is currently in beta. Once fully released, it promises to offer the best aspects of a sandbox voxel game alongside the narrative content and character progression of an RPG.
While no release date has been given and the game is still definitively a work in progress, fans of both the sandbox and RPG genres have cause to be excited for its release.
