Best Sandbox Games on Steam
Steam currently has 5,263 Sandbox games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Sandbox game rankings were last updated on 3/5/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Free sandbox games on Steam
- Best sandbox Steam Deck games
- Best sandbox Linux games on Steam
- Best sandbox Steam games for Mac OS
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. People Playground
Shoot, stab, burn, poison, tear, vaporise, or crush ragdolls in a large open space.
People Playground holds the #1 spot for "best Sandbox game on Steam" with a Player Score of 97. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 242,371 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 239,123 positive reviews and 3,248 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play People Playground on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 7/23/2019 |
| Developer | mestiez |
| Publisher | Studio Minus |
| Steam App Id | 1118200 |
2. Stardew Valley
You've inherited your grandfather's old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home?
Stardew Valley has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 701,372 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 689,198 positive reviews and 12,174 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 2/26/2016 |
| Developer | ConcernedApe |
| Publisher | ConcernedApe |
| Steam App Id | 413150 |
3. Wallpaper Engine
Use stunning live wallpapers on your desktop. Animate your own images to create new wallpapers or import videos/websites and share them on the Steam Workshop!
Wallpaper Engine has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 774,578 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 759,474 positive reviews and 15,104 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $3.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Wallpaper Engine on the Steam Deck.
| Steam Price | $3.99 |
| Release Date | 11/16/2018 |
| Developer | Wallpaper Engine Team |
| Publisher | Wallpaper Engine Team |
| Steam App Id | 431960 |
4. Terraria
Dig, fight, explore, build! Nothing is impossible in this action-packed adventure game. Four Pack also available!
Terraria has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,281,484 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,251,095 positive reviews and 30,389 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
5. 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 has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 185,574 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 181,955 positive reviews and 3,619 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $34.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $34.99 |
| Release Date | 10/17/2018 |
| Developer | Ludeon Studios |
| Publisher | Ludeon Studios |
| Steam App Id | 294100 |
6. Slime Rancher
Slime Rancher is the tale of Beatrix LeBeau, a plucky, young rancher who sets out for a life a thousand light years away from Earth on the ‘Far, Far Range’ where she tries her hand at making a living wrangling slimes.
Slime Rancher has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 119,562 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 117,075 positive reviews and 2,487 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Slime Rancher on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 8/1/2017 |
| Franchise | Monomi Park |
| Developer | Monomi Park |
| Publisher | Monomi Park |
| Steam App Id | 433340 |
7. Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
Be the leader of wobblers from ancient lands, spooky places, and fantasy worlds. Watch them fight in simulations made with the wobbliest physics system ever created, make your own wobblers in the unit creator and send your army off to fight your friends in multiplayer.
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 122,102 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 119,484 positive reviews and 2,618 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 4/1/2021 |
| Franchise | Landfall Games |
| Developer | Landfall |
| Publisher | Landfall |
| Steam App Id | 508440 |
8. Mount & Blade: Warband
In a land torn asunder by incessant warfare, it is time to assemble your own band of hardened warriors and enter the fray. Lead your men into battle, expand your realm, and claim the ultimate prize: the throne of Calradia!
Mount & Blade: Warband has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 159,983 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 156,365 positive reviews and 3,618 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Mount & Blade: Warband on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 3/31/2010 |
| Developer | TaleWorlds Entertainment |
| Publisher | TaleWorlds Entertainment |
| Steam App Id | 48700 |
9. Bloons TD 6
The Bloons are back and better than ever! Get ready for a massive 3D tower defense game designed to give you hours and hours of the best strategy gaming available.
Bloons TD 6 has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 305,959 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 297,914 positive reviews and 8,045 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $13.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Bloons TD 6 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $13.99 |
| Release Date | 12/18/2018 |
| Franchise | Ninja Kiwi Games |
| Developer | Ninja Kiwi |
| Publisher | Ninja Kiwi |
| Steam App Id | 960090 |
10. BeamNG.drive
A dynamic soft-body physics vehicle simulator capable of doing just about anything.
BeamNG.drive has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Sandbox games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 245,750 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 239,078 positive reviews and 6,672 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $24.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play BeamNG.drive on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
More Sandbox Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Sandbox games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 4,201 | 7/23/2019 | 97 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 84,277 | 2/26/2016 | 97 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 81,655 | 11/16/2018 | 97 | $3.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 21,309 | 5/16/2011 | 97 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 25,241 | 10/17/2018 | 97 | $34.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 608 | 8/1/2017 | 97 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,120 | 4/1/2021 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,881 | 3/31/2010 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 7,227 | 12/18/2018 | 96 | $13.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 11,979 | 5/29/2015 | 96 | $24.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,724 | 1/20/2021 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 10,982 | 5/18/2015 | 96 | $39.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 16,922 | 11/29/2006 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 21,169 | 5/16/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 9,700 | 8/14/2020 | 96 | $35.00 | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,686 | 1/24/2018 | 96 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 6,471 | 6/8/2020 | 96 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 995 | 7/14/2022 | 95 | $24.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 127 | 8/3/2020 | 95 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 7,103 | 7/30/2019 | 95 | $24.99 | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 5). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 5). People Playground on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 8). Stardew Valley on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 8). Wallpaper Engine on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 1). Terraria on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 4). RimWorld on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 4). Slime Rancher on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 7). Totally Accurate Battle Simulator on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 26). Mount & Blade: Warband on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 7). Bloons TD 6 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 7). BeamNG.drive on Steam. Steam Store.