Discounted Sandbox Games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated sandbox games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free sandbox games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Portal Knights
The world of Elysia needs YOU! Join this cooperative, 3D sandbox action RPG to level up your character, craft epic weapons, conquer enemies in real-time, and build almost anything! Craft your adventure. Forge your hero. Become the ultimate Portal Knight!
Birthdays the Beginning
The origins of the world are yours to decide in this engaging and open-ended builder experience! Shape the geography, control the temperature, and give rise to diverse lifeforms. Witness the birth of an entirely new ecosystem, made with your very own hands!
Everything
Be the Universe in this epic, award-winning reality simulation game - featuring thousands of playable characters, endless exploration, an extraordinary soundtrack and narration from Alan Watts.
Battle Brothers
Battle Brothers is a turn based tactical RPG which has you leading a mercenary company in a gritty, low-power, medieval fantasy world. You decide where to go, whom to hire or to fight, what contracts to take and how to train and equip your men in a procedurally generated open world campaign.
Youtubers Life
Become the most successful youtuber on the planet! Create videos, get subscribers, attend events, interact with your fans… and grow your channel. Live a youtuber’s life!
Low Magic Age
Adventure and fight in a medieval fantasy open world! Build heroic characters with various abilities, travel through villages, cities, or perilous dungeons. Strategic turn-based combat system and advanced character building - Fog of war, charging and flanking, and more in the fast-paced Arena mode.
Watch_Dogs® 2
Welcome to San Francisco. Play as Marcus, a brilliant young hacker, and join the most notorious hacker group, DedSec. Your objective: execute the biggest hack of history.
Planet Coaster
Planet Coaster® - the future of coaster park simulation games has arrived! Surprise, delight and thrill incredible crowds as you build your coaster park empire - let your imagination run wild, and share your success with the world.
Transport Fever
Transport Fever is a railroad-focused tycoon game. Players start in 1850 and build up a thriving transport company. As an emerging transport tycoon, the player constructs stations, airports, harbors and makes money by connecting areas requiring transport services. Build up your own Empire!
Subsistence
Subsistence is a sandbox, first person, solo or co-op, PvE open-world survival game. Struggle through changing seasons to build a base, develop technology and gear-up in the hostile environment. Defend yourself from wildlife, the elements and AI hunters (who also build bases in the world).
Farming Simulator 17
Take on the role of a modern farmer in Farming Simulator 17! Explore farming possibilities in a new North American environment. Drive over 250 farming vehicles and equipment from over 75 manufacturers, including new brands such as Challenger, Fendt, Valtra or Massey Ferguson.
Crazy Machines 3
Crazy Machines 3 is the latest, greatest, most amazing and craziest part of the series and fascinates once more with physic-based puzzles. Build your own crazy machines and share your awesomeness across the world thanks to the Steam® Workshop.
Demolish & Build 2017
Become a boss of Demolition & Build company. Destroy small wooden huts and huge concrete buildings. Manage your workers. Invest earned cash in your own land properties and rent them for profit in open sandbox world. Use various hand tools, buy new machines and customize their parts.
Giant Machines 2017
Take control over seven of the biggest industrial machines in the world. During the 14 mission campaign you will punch through the snows of Greenland, plow the steppes of Wyoming and travel all the way to sunny Florida. Your hard work will be completed by launching a space shuttle into space.
Mad Games Tycoon
Form your own game studio set in the early 1980s in a small garage. Develop your own game ideas, create a team and develop megahit video games. Research new technologies, train your staff and upgrade your office space, going from a lowly garage to a huge building. Expand your business and dominate the world market for video games!
Project Highrise
Project Highrise is a skyscraper construction and management sim...
Ultimate Arena
Pick and create characters to fight to the death in this action-packed nonsensical arena simulation.
Tempest: Pirate Action RPG
Tempest is a Pirate Open World Action RPG where you rove the seas across three continents filled with dozens of colonies and forts, hundreds of quests and countless ships to plunder. Customize your ship, trade, challenge fellow pirates and face mythical monsters such as the Kraken and Leviathan!
No Man's Sky
No Man's Sky is a game about exploration and survival in an infinite procedurally generated universe.
8-Bit Hordes
From the team that brought you 8-Bit Armies comes a new fantasy RTS as fast-paced and friendly as the original! 8-BIT HORDES is a colorful strategy-arcade game that is easy to learn for players of all skill levels. Collect resources, build up and defend your base, amass your army of orcs or humans and ultimately crush your opponents!
Human Fall Flat
Human Fall Flat is a hilarious, light-hearted platformer set in floating dreamscapes that can be played solo or with up to 8 players online. Free new levels keep its vibrant community rewarded.
Poly Bridge
Unleash your engineering creativity with an engaging and fresh bridge-building simulator with all the bells and whistles. Enjoy hours of physics-based puzzle solving in the Campaign and then jump in the Sandbox to create your own bridge designs and puzzles!
Most played sandbox games on Steam
Take a look at the top sandbox games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 18th 2025.
1. Terraria
Dig, fight, explore, build! Nothing is impossible in this action-packed adventure game. Four Pack also available! Terraria is a open world survival craft, sandbox and survival game developed and published by Re-Logic. Released on May 16th 2011 has received 1,409,473 reviews of which 1,373,979 were positive and 35,494 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played sandbox game, thanks to its 28,933 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.7
1,373,979
35,494
28,933
players
2. RimWorld
A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more. RimWorld is a colony sim, base-building and survival game developed and published by Ludeon Studios. Released on October 17th 2018 has received 210,517 reviews of which 206,216 were positive and 4,301 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. While seeing 22,748 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among sandbox games based on player count.
9.7
206,216
4,301
22,748
players
3. Garry's Mod
Garry's Mod is a physics sandbox. There aren't any predefined aims or goals. We give you the tools and leave you to play. Garry's Mod is a sandbox, moddable and multiplayer game developed by Facepunch Studios and published by Valve. Released on November 29th 2006 has received 1,159,707 reviews of which 1,122,546 were positive and 37,161 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 18,855 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among sandbox games based on player count.
9.6
1,122,546
37,161
18,855
players
4. Factorio
Factorio is a game about building and creating automated factories to produce items of increasing complexity, within an infinite 2D world. Use your imagination to design your factory, combine simple elements into ingenious structures, and finally protect it from the creatures who don't really like you. Factorio is a automation, base-building and resource management game developed and published by Wube Software LTD.. Released on August 14th 2020 has received 215,209 reviews of which 208,770 were positive and 6,439 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 15,834 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played sandbox games.
9.6
208,770
6,439
15,834
players
5. Albion Online
Albion Online is a fantasy sandbox MMORPG featuring a player-driven economy, classless combat system, and intense PvP battles. Explore a vast open world full of danger and opportunity. Grow your wealth, forge alliances, and leave your mark on the world of Albion. Albion Online is a free to play, mmorpg and open world game developed and published by Sandbox Interactive GmbH. Released on May 16th 2018 has received 83,074 reviews of which 65,583 were positive and 17,491 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 7,959 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played sandbox games.
7.8
65,583
17,491
7,959
players
6. Tabletop Simulator
Tabletop Simulator is the only simulator where you can let your aggression out by flipping the table! There are no rules to follow: just you, a physics sandbox, and your friends. Make your own online board games or play the thousands of community created mods. Unlimited gaming possibilities! Tabletop Simulator is a tabletop, board game and simulation game developed and published by Berserk Games. Released on June 05th 2015 has received 70,660 reviews of which 66,735 were positive and 3,925 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 5,049 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played sandbox games.
9.3
66,735
3,925
5,049
players
7. Kenshi
A free-roaming squad based RPG. Focusing on open-ended sandbox gameplay features rather than a linear story. Be a trader, a thief, a rebel, a warlord, an adventurer, a farmer, a slave, or just food for the cannibals. Train your men up from puny victims to master warriors. Kenshi is a open world, sandbox and rpg game developed and published by Lo-Fi Games. Released on December 06th 2018 has received 98,135 reviews of which 93,712 were positive and 4,423 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 4,791 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played sandbox games.
9.4
93,712
4,423
4,791
players
8. People Playground
Shoot, stab, burn, poison, tear, vaporise, or crush ragdolls in a large open space. People Playground is a sandbox, gore and physics game developed by mestiez and published by Studio Minus. Released on July 23rd 2019 has received 281,763 reviews of which 277,746 were positive and 4,017 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.8 out of 10. With 4,240 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played sandbox games.
9.8
277,746
4,017
4,240
players
9. Space Engineers
Space Engineers is a sandbox game about engineering, construction, exploration and survival in space and on planets. Players build space ships, space stations, planetary outposts of various sizes and uses, pilot ships and travel through space to explore planets and gather resources to survive. Space Engineers is a space, sandbox and building game developed and published by Keen Software House. Released on February 28th 2019 has received 132,347 reviews of which 117,204 were positive and 15,143 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 3,897 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played sandbox games.
8.8
117,204
15,143
3,897
players
10. Timberborn
Humans are long gone. In a world struck by droughts and toxic waste, will your lumberpunk beavers do any better? A city-building game featuring ingenious animals, vertical architecture, water physics, and terraforming. Contains high amounts of wood. Timberborn is a city builder, voxel and colony sim game developed and published by Mechanistry. Released on September 15th 2021 has received 31,678 reviews of which 30,266 were positive and 1,412 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 3,327 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played sandbox games.
9.4
30,266
1,412
3,327
players
Best deals on sandbox games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of sandbox games available on Steam right now, updated on June 18th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted sandbox games.
1. Tchia
A Tropical Open-World adventure. Climb, glide, swim, and sail your boat around a beautiful archipelago in this physics-driven sandbox. Take control of any animal or object you can find, and Jam on your fully playable Ukulele. Tchia is a adventure, open world and sandbox game developed by Awaceb and published by Kepler Interactive. Released on March 21st 2024 has received 422 reviews of which 380 were positive and 42 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for sandbox category.
8.4
380
42
-99%
34.99€
0.64€
2. Havendock
Breathe easy and thrive in this cozy colony sim. Build a haven for castaways, manage resources, live your best life on the ocean. Lead your humble settlement into a high-tech society. Havendock is a singleplayer, strategy and city builder game developed by YYZ Studio and published by IndieArk and Pretty Soon. Released on April 22nd 2025 has received 1,399 reviews of which 1,191 were positive and 208 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in sandbox games.
8.1
1,191
208
-99%
19.50€
0.32€
3. Naheulbeuk's Dungeon Master
A dungeon in danger ! Build, manage, and defend your tower in the satirical heroic fantasy universe of Dungeon of Naheulbeuk. From a shaky establishment to an infamous lair! Naheulbeuk's Dungeon Master is a management, simulation and funny game developed by Artefacts Studio and published by Dear Villagers. Released on November 15th 2023 has received 1,408 reviews of which 1,006 were positive and 402 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in sandbox games.
6.9
1,006
402
-99%
24.99€
0.42€
4. Mech Mechanic Simulator
Become a Mech Mechanic to deconstruct, rebuild, paint and fix gigantic iron machines. You live in an age of enormous machines and you better get ready to get your hands dirty! Mech Mechanic Simulator is a mechs, crafting and sandbox game developed by Polyslash and published by Valkyrie Initiative. Released on March 25th 2021 has received 628 reviews of which 403 were positive and 225 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
6.2
403
225
-99%
19.50€
0.34€
5. SuchArt: Genius Artist Simulator
A unique artist sim game with realistic paint mixing, physics and numerous painting tools. Upgrade and customize your studio, complete tasks, sell and expose art, buy instruments and get famous! SuchArt: Genius Artist Simulator is a design & illustration, sandbox and immersive sim game developed by Goose Minded and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on October 13th 2022 has received 4,359 reviews of which 4,239 were positive and 120 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
9.4
4,239
120
-98%
24.99€
0.55€
6. Scribblenauts Unlimited
The best-selling, award-winning franchise is back – on your home PC in gorgeous HD for the first time. Scribblenauts Unlimited is a puzzle, casual and adventure game developed by 5th Cell Media and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Released on February 15th 2013 has received 11,755 reviews of which 11,038 were positive and 717 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
9.1
11,038
717
-98%
19.99€
0.42€
7. Nova Lands
Nova Lands is a factory building, exploration, and island management game. Explore, engage in combat, and automate your industry. The planet you’re on is full of mysteries, creatures, people, and things to do. Welcome to your new home amongst the stars! Nova Lands is a automation, base-building and sandbox game developed by BEHEMUTT and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on June 22nd 2023 has received 2,823 reviews of which 2,546 were positive and 277 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
8.7
2,546
277
-98%
19.99€
0.40€
8. Transport Fever
Transport Fever is a railroad-focused tycoon game. Players start in 1850 and build up a thriving transport company. As an emerging transport tycoon, the player constructs stations, airports, harbors and makes money by connecting areas requiring transport services. Build up your own Empire! Transport Fever is a flight, city builder and sandbox game developed by Urban Games and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment. Released on November 08th 2016 has received 10,722 reviews of which 8,934 were positive and 1,788 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
8.1
8,934
1,788
-98%
29.99€
0.67€
9. Main Assembly
You’re the designer, engineer and architect if you can imagine it you can create it! Construct robots of any shape or size from eight-legged spider bots to eerie UFO contraptions. Main Assembly is a 3d, online co-op and co-op game developed by Bad Yolk Games and published by Team17. Released on January 26th 2021 has received 1,314 reviews of which 1,115 were positive and 199 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
8.1
1,115
199
-98%
19.99€
0.43€
10. Black Skylands
Become the captain of an airship and explore the world of the skies, gather resources and build powerful weapons, uncover ancient secrets and fight beneath your ship's sails. Black Skylands is a pixel graphics, open world and sandbox game developed by Hungry Couch Games and published by tinyBuild. Released on August 15th 2023 has received 3,894 reviews of which 3,236 were positive and 658 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for sandbox games.
8.0
3,236
658
-98%
19.50€
0.42€
Free sandbox games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play sandbox games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 18th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play sandbox games.
1. Albion Online
Albion Online is a fantasy sandbox MMORPG featuring a player-driven economy, classless combat system, and intense PvP battles. Explore a vast open world full of danger and opportunity. Grow your wealth, forge alliances, and leave your mark on the world of Albion. Albion Online is a free to play, mmorpg and open world game developed and published by Sandbox Interactive GmbH. Released on May 16th 2018 has received 83,074 reviews of which 65,583 were positive and 17,491 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 7,959 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free sandbox games on Steam.
7.8
65,583
17,491
7,959
players
2. Trove
Grab your friends, hone your blades, and set off for an epic procedurally generated adventure in Trove! Battle the Shadow in realms filled with dungeons and items created by your fellow players. Whether hunting treasure or building realms of your own, it’s never been this good to be square! Trove is a free to play, open world and sandbox game developed and published by gamigo US Inc.. Released on July 09th 2015 has received 92,370 reviews of which 74,103 were positive and 18,267 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 777, this sandbox game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free sandbox games on Steam.
7.9
74,103
18,267
777
players
3. OpenTTD
OpenTTD is a business simulation game in which players earn money by transporting passengers and cargo via road, rail, water, and air. It is an open-source remake and expansion of the 1995 Chris Sawyer video game Transport Tycoon Deluxe. OpenTTD is a simulation, building and free to play game developed and published by OpenTTD. Released on April 01st 2021 has received 14,394 reviews of which 13,845 were positive and 549 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 425, this sandbox game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free sandbox games on Steam.
9.4
13,845
549
425
players
4. Counter-Strike Nexon
Counter-Strike Nexon is a Free to Play MMOFPS offering competitive PvP and PvE action including content from the original Counter-Strike and all new game modes, map creation function, weapons, and hordes of Zombies! Counter-Strike Nexon is a free to play, fps and zombies game developed by Valve and NEXON and published by NEXON. Released on October 07th 2014 has received 42,702 reviews of which 28,373 were positive and 14,329 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 307 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free sandbox games on Steam.
6.6
28,373
14,329
307
players
5. Wurm Online
A sandbox MMORPG that has pushed the boundaries on what it means to be open world and stood the test of time. Dig, mine, shape the world around you and make your lasting mark! Wurm Online is a free to play, sandbox and rpg game developed and published by Code Club AB. Released on July 24th 2020 has received 2,328 reviews of which 1,444 were positive and 884 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 151 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free sandbox games on Steam.
6.1
1,444
884
151
players
6. Resonite
Enter a novel digital universe with infinite possibilities. Whether you resonate with people around the world in a casual conversation, playing games and socializing or you riff off each other when creating anything from art to programming complex games, you'll find your place here. Resonite is a early access, casual and sandbox game developed by Yellow Dog Man Studios and Frooxius and published by Yellow Dog Man Studios. Released on October 06th 2023 has received 1,252 reviews of which 1,023 were positive and 229 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 120 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free sandbox games on Steam.
7.8
1,023
229
120
players
7. The Powder Toy
The Powder Toy is a classic physics sandbox game, which simulates air pressure and velocity, heat, gravity and a countless number of interactions between different substances The Powder Toy is a simulation, sandbox and 2d game developed and published by The Powder Toy Team. Released on June 14th 2024 has received 1,852 reviews of which 1,824 were positive and 28 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free sandbox games on Steam.
9.4
1,824
28
88
players
8. MergeCrafter
Welcome to the magical world of Runaria! Explore dungeons, chop trees, mine rocks, and discover hidden treasure! Merge identical items to create valuable resources, Craft new tools and upgrade them with powerful enchantments! Setup passive mining drills and tree farms to rebuild your camp! MergeCrafter is a relaxing, sandbox and match 3 game developed and published by Fiveamp. Released on August 23rd 2022 has received 815 reviews of which 592 were positive and 223 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free sandbox games on Steam.
7.0
592
223
74
players
9. Haven & Hearth
A free-to-play MMORPG with crafting, building, landscaping, foraging, hunting, fishing, a dash of poetry, and open PvP combat, Haven & Hearth is a early access, mmorpg and rpg game developed and published by Seatribe. Released on November 01st 2024 has received 790 reviews of which 596 were positive and 194 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free sandbox games on Steam.
7.2
596
194
60
players
10. Egg Surprise
A fun clicker with economic simulation in the penguin kingdom. Obtain rare collections, venture into dangerous dungeons, and build your own civilization! Egg Surprise is a simulation, clicker and arcade game developed and published by SQRT Games. Released on June 20th 2024 has received 1,196 reviews of which 818 were positive and 378 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free sandbox games on Steam.
6.6
818
378
45
players