Sandbox games are the definition of freedom. It's a very broad genre with a wide variety of titles, but they all share the same core idea of player agency. You'll be plunged into a world that you can shape and influence with your actions by customizing, building, exploring, and interacting with characters and creatures. For highly creative gamers, this genre is a candy store selling excellent games such as: minecraft to Rimworld, project zomboidand FactorioAnd more.
8 of the best survival games you can play your way
Survival games come in all shapes and sizes, but the best examples of the genre are often those that offer players the most freedom of choice.
So what’s next for the Sandbox menu? There are some very exciting releases to keep an eye on in 2026. There's a great mix of different types of sandboxes here, from open world survival craft to life simulation, and everything in between. These aren't the only ones scheduled to come out this year, but they are undoubtedly the most exciting and promising. Unfortunately, not all products have a set release date, but it's currently estimated to be at least sometime around 2026.
overboard
From campervans to beyond
Starting with a very cozy sandbox experience, overboard. Fans of the open world survival craft genre will love this game, which puts a slightly unique twist on the standard formula. Instead of building a house from scratch in the wilderness, you start with a camper that can also be moved from one location to another, making exploration a bit more interesting and dynamic. There are a few different biomes in the game, so you'll definitely want to wander around before setting up camp.
The game lets you customize a cute little retro van and build its interior with resources you gather in typical survival skills fashion. You can garden, cook, get crazy about decorating, and much more. The best part? Bring your friends. overboard It supports up to four-player co-op, so if venturing alone into this vibrant sandbox sounds boring, you can always enlist your gamer friends to help you build and strengthen your van by unlocking all the in-game skills. As of now, it is expected to be released around the second quarter of 2026.
Witchbrook
Magically Witchy Life Sim Sandbox
Are you a big fan of ? stardew valley? Then you, like me, will be very intrigued by this truly amazing new life simulation and sandbox game. Witch Brook. This is an upcoming game from Chucklefish, creators of: starbound and to the east. But in this game, you are studying at the local witch college and are a member of the witch coven. Like Stardew Valley, you'll be surrounded by a charming, quirky town with a variety of characters to get to know, and eventually even romance if you want.
30 Great Multitasking Games Similar to Overcooked
Overcooked combines a charming arcade feel with simple mechanics and frenetic gameplay, but it's not a unique game.
From what we know so far, not only will you be able to customize your character from the start, but you'll also be able to customize a cute cottage with its own garden. But at its core is the study of being a witch, which ranges from spellcasting to rituals and even alchemy. Overall, it sounds like a very cozy game, and I really like the pixel art graphics. It may not be a traditional sandbox game in the true sense, but considering how much customization has been promised so far, I think this game will be quite popular when it comes out. Especially since up to four players can cooperate. There is no set release date yet, but we hope it will be released in 2026.
solar punk
Skyblock has become a reality
Does anyone remember Skyblock? minecraft? If you've ever dreamed of a floating island world or something better suited to your biome, solar punk This is a sandbox game you should definitely pay attention to this year. This is another open world survival ship that you are free to build wherever you want. Travel between beautiful floating islands and choose the cutest place you like. The color palette and vibrancy give it the same cozy feel. overboard Like this game, you can also play it cooperatively with friends.
a unique twist solar punk As the name suggests, this is Solar Tech. Simply using solar power, you can build a variety of cool technologies and machines to help keep your base running. In fact, there's a lot of technical and automated gameplay involved, so you can get quite creative with the types of farms you build. And yes, it is. There are also animals. stardew valley. But before you settle down, keep the airship nearby. As you travel further to new islands, you can access advanced resources and build even more complex systems. There's no release date set yet, so for now you can try the demo on Steam and keep in mind that it's scheduled for release sometime in 2026.
para live
New players emerge in the Life Sim genre
One of the most anticipated indie games of the year para live A charming life simulation game created by Alex Massé and team. It was a shame that the game's Early Access was recently delayed, but with limited resources and a small team, it's understandable that the game needs a little more time to cook in the oven. So far, things look promising. If you are familiar with life simulation games such as sims and EnjoyYou'll find a lot of familiar features here, from character creator to live mode to build mode. Whether you prefer creating a unique character or enjoy spending hours creating the perfect home, there's something for every type of life sim player here, and considering this is all made by an indie studio, the sandbox is impressive.
7 Best Open World RPGs with Base Building (Ranked)
Settle into your new home in an open-world RPG with its own base-building system.
Builders have access to a variety of decorations, furniture, and building options, all in a grid-free format, which will be a breath of fresh air for anyone familiar with building modes in games like sims. Of course, if you're here to see what kind of antics Paras gets up to in an open world environment, that's important too. Your characters will experience love and loss, struggle and triumph, and you will have a say in their lives. There are also some cool features that haven't been explored in other life sims, such as Paras' height adjustment. What more could you ask for in a Life-Sim sandbox?
Subnautica 2
It's time to dive back into these depths
future Subnautica The franchise has a bit of a question mark at the moment due to all the controversy KRAFTON has been embroiled in recently, but I want to remain optimistic and keep my fingers and toes crossed for what the second installment in the series will deliver. The game was initially scheduled for release in 2025, but delays pushed the game's Early Access release date to 2026. Subnautica 2 The premise appears to be largely the same as its predecessor, where you are stranded on an alien underwater planet and must explore the underwater world to discover more. Perhaps there is a way out like the first one.
But the real fun of these games is not to rush to the end, but to survive and thrive for as long as possible. You'll once again be able to build a stunning underwater base, craft equipment and advance from one technology to another, all while using your iconic and trusty scanner to learn about the creatures swimming around you. Yes. Now that Leviathan's return has been confirmed, scary things are coming as well. Thalassophobic gamers, you have been warned.
Best low-end PC games (low-end and older PCs)
You don't need a monster PC to see the best the platform has to offer. Today we'll cover the best budget PC games.
