Did you have a LEGO box when you were a kid? Now that you’re older, indulge in digital construction through our top 6 video games that focus on building.
With a shovel in hand and some resources in your inventory, you are ready to master an entire universe, whether it’s to unleash your builder imagination, survive in a hostile world, or complete a quest…
Video games focused on building are not limited to simple structures; they can cover a multitude of themes, appealing to millions of players.
Minecraft: Create New Worlds
When we talk about building video games, Minecraft is often at the forefront of our minds. This iconic game, released in 2011, has maintained its status in the gaming community. Some players dislike its pixelated graphics, while others relish the opportunity to construct anything with the materials they find and mine.
This type of game is often called a “sandbox” because it allows players to build anything they desire, as long as they have the necessary materials. Players’ creativity knows no bounds as they can assemble and demolish blocks at will. Many players have showcased their talents by recreating famous monuments, large tourist sites, and grand amusement parks. Plus, in Minecraft, you don’t have to worry about gravity and the laws of physics . You can destroy a tree’s wooden blocks from the base without the branches falling.
In Minecraft, you can also encounter characters, animals (real or fictional), insects, and monsters, collect plants, wood, iron, and minerals, while embarking on adventures in Survival Mode. In this mode, you’re dropped into the world without resources and must gather materials to craft shelters, food, and weapons—essentially, everything necessary to survive!
Roblox: Create New Games
Similar to sandbox-style games, Roblox emphasizes player creativity, but instead of creating worlds, it focuses on inventing entirely new games. Players can use pre-programmed elements or build from scratch, offering their creations to the community.
Using Roblox Studio, you can integrate pre-programmed environments and select the type of game (racing, action, shooter, etc.), guided by an assistant if you’re a beginner. Note that to create a game, you need to download and install the desktop edition for Windows. The Roblox Player is available on mobile devices (Android and iOS), desktops (Windows and online services), and consoles.
For those who love discovering new universes and game mechanics, Roblox is the perfect platform. With available communication tools, you can discuss with others and provide constructive feedback to game creators. Best of all, the platform is free, though some games require Robux (the game’s virtual currency) to access. You can earn Robux by creating and selling items in the platform’s Marketplace or charging access to your games.
Terraria: Building in Survival Mode
While Minecraft is a 3D building game where creativity is omnipresent, Terraria leans more into adventure and combat within a 2D platforming environment. Although both games were developed in the same year, Terraria did not achieve the same level of popularity as Minecraft. Available on all platforms (PC, mobile, and consoles), the game requires a one-time purchase, giving access to all updates.
Terraria features action-adventure gameplay in a 2D open world. Players can create and customize their character and modify their environment. Starting with limited resources or weapons, players must craft items, engage in combat, and protect themselves from monsters, just like in Minecraft’s Survival Mode.
One interesting feature of Terraria is that worlds are randomly generated. This means environments will differ from game to game, and the items will never spawn in the same location, renewing the experience with each playthrough. Players can enjoy it solo or with up to 8 others. The game transitions from day to night, with monsters primarily emerging at night, so players must protect themselves or turn on lights to better see.
LEGO Worlds: Build with LEGO Bricks
When it comes to building, one immediately thinks of LEGO bricks, the iconic little plastic pieces that captivate the imagination of children and adults alike. LEGO Worlds embraces the sandbox principle, allowing players to create objects in a 3D environment while still offering an adventure component with quests to complete for golden blocks to advance.
The storyline is light and fun, but don’t let that fool you; the game is not as easy as it seems. You play as an astronaut searching for unknown planets, catapulted into a new world due to a malfunction with your spaceship. To navigate this predicament, you must explore, collect resources, and create what you need to survive. Set in a semi-open world rich with themes (pirates, prehistoric times, medieval, wild west, sugary worlds, future), your character can evolve in both first-person and third-person views as they embark on their survival quest.
LEGO Worlds is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC.
Dragon Quest Builders 2: Hack ‘n Slash Meets Building
Dragon Quest Builders 2 combines the hack ‘n slash genre with building mechanics in a world inspired by Minecraft. Players must craft weapons and items to progress in the adventure. The game kicks off with a stunning cutscene in the unique style of Akira Toriyama (creator of Dragon Ball and Dragon Quest) followed by a tutorial to familiarize players with the controls.
The adventure starts on a beach after the player’s ship sinks. As a construction game, the graphics are cube-shaped, facilitating interactions within the environment. Players can break blocks and assemble them, gather resources, and use them to create objects and weapons. With its charming cartoon style and delightful music, Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a joyful blend of construction and simple combat.
Goals are easy to follow thanks to icons on the map, and simply progressing through the story is enough to advance. Players have the freedom to build as they please, and there’s even an online multiplayer mode for expanding their constructions together. More polished than its predecessor, Dragon Quest Builders 2 is available on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, though there is currently no mobile version.
Tiny Glade: Relax While Building Castles
A unique construction game, Tiny Glade invites players to enjoy a relaxing experience by building castles. If you have an eye for interior design, immerse yourself in the game and arrange the rooms of your grand residence however you fancy. In Tiny Glade, each player becomes a dream castle builder. With a palette of materials and tools at your fingertips, you can erect fences, hang banners, and bring to life a peaceful little world in nature. There are no fights or survival modes—just pure creativity and poetry.
What makes this adventure even more magical is the ability to discover your creation at various times of the day and night. At dawn, gilded walls awaken softly. At dusk, shadows dance. And at night, buildings take on an air of mystery. Every moment offers a new color, a new emotion.
Tiny Glade has touched the hearts of millions of players worldwide. Creators overflow with imagination and share it with others in the community. Some have built true wonders, such as castles inspired by Hogwarts or Whiterun from Skyrim. The results are stunning and demonstrate that with just a few blocks and a little inspiration, one can build genuine tales of stone and light.
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