Let’s be honest – there’s something incredibly satisfying about gathering resources, putting in some work, and building something from scratch. Whether you’re slapping together a wooden hut or assembling a fully-automated mega-factory, the best crafting games hit a unique sweet spot between creativity and survival. These days, crafting has evolved far beyond the early days of blocky sandboxes. It’s become a core mechanic across genres – survival, exploration, co-op, and even hardcore PvP.
If you’re looking to dive into a game that lets you build, tinker, and survive, this list has you covered. Here are the 8 best crafting games (in no particular order) you should absolutely check out, each one offering its own spin on what it means to gather, create, and dominate.
It wouldn’t be a crafting games list without the OG. Minecraft is basically the reason we have a “crafting games genre” in the first place. What started as a humble indie title in 2009, has grown into one of the most iconic and influential games ever made – and crafting is at the heart of it all. The sheer freedom, and many Minecraft mods is what makes it shine. You can go from punching trees to building fully functional Redstone-powered computers or even recreating entire cities.
Image credit: Mojang Studios
The crafting system is simple to start with, but it scales incredibly well. Once you start digging deeper (literally), you’ll unlock enchanting, potion-making, and automation with villagers or mods. Whether you’re into peaceful building houses in Creative mode or trying to survive your first night with nothing but a stick and some dirt, Minecraft continues to be the gold standard of the best crafting games. No wonder it’s one of the best selling games of all time.
Don’t let the visuals fool you, this game is packed with content. What makes Terraria stand out is the fast-paced gameplay loop that blends crafting, exploration, combat, and base-building, into one chaotic but incredibly addictive package. From digging underground for rare ores to crafting hundreds of unique weapons and tools, the depth here is so underrated.
Image credit: Re-Logic
The best part? The progression feels earned, unlike some other titles from our best crafting games list. Every crafted item helps you get stronger and explore deeper biomes. One minute you’re crafting basic gear out of wood and stone, and the next you’re building a magic sky island after defeating a mechanical boss. It’s that kind of game that pulls you in for “just one more day” – and before you know it, it’s 3 a.m.
Valheim was a breakout hit for a reason. This Viking-inspired survival game drops you into a stylized purgatory full of mythical creatures, gorgeous landscapes, and plenty of trees to chop down. Crafting in Valheim strikes the perfect balance between satisfying and accessible. You start small, making crude tools and shelters, but eventually you’re crafting longboats, portals, and elaborate fortresses on mountaintops.
Image credit: Iron Gate AB
What makes it stand out isn’t just the crafting – it’s the vibe. The game world feels alive, and your creations feel like a real part of that world. The building system is intuitive and physics-based, so your structures actually need support to stand. Add in crossplay, co-op gameplay, and a killer soundtrack, and you’ve got one of the most immersive crafting experiences in years.
If you like your crafting games with a side of paranoia and chaos, Rust is your perfect storm. This is a hardcore survival sandbox where crafting isn’t just helpful – it’s life or death. You start out with a rock and your underwear, and you’ll need to craft your way to survival fast. That means finding food, building shelter, and eventually putting together weapons and traps to defend yourself from other players.
Image credit: Facepunch Studios
And yes, the PvP here is brutal. Your meticulously crafted base can be raided while you sleep, and alliances can fall apart in seconds. But that’s also what makes Rust so compelling – the stakes feel real, which is one of the reasons why the Rust player count blew up.
Crafting in Rust has depth too, with blueprints, research tables, and an upkeep system that forces you to constantly maintain your structures. It’s intense, unforgiving, and deeply rewarding once you get the hang of it.
My top 1 pick out of the best crafting games list, easily.
You play as a teeny kid trying to survive in a backyard that suddenly feels like a jungle full of deadly insects. The crafting system is tightly integrated with the environment – you’ll be harvesting grass to build walls, gathering sap for glue, and crafting armor out of beetle shells.
Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment
It’s creative, colorful, and surprisingly strategic. You’ll need to build bases in smart spots, upgrade your tools, and eventually take on terrifying spiders (which you can thankfully adjust in the settings if you have the ick). It’s also one of the best co-op games of the survival-crafting genre to play with friends, thanks to its strong co-op support and fun sandbox mechanics.
This dark, hand-drawn nightmare drops you into a creepy world where everything wants to kill you – including the weather, your own sanity, and random tree monsters.
Image credit: Klei Entertainment
The crafting system is surprisingly complex, with dozens of tools, machines, and gadgets to create. Whether you’re building a science machine, cooking up meals to avoid starvation, or crafting traps to defend against hounds, every item has a purpose. It’s also one of the best online games to play with friends.
And when you add Don’t Starve Together into the mix, things get even wilder. Now you can experience the madness with friends – or argue over who wasted all the twigs again. It’s quirky, punishing, and incredibly fun if you enjoy a bit of chaos with your crafting.
Subnautica takes crafting and drops it deep beneath the ocean’s surface – literally. After crash-landing on an alien water world, you’ll need to explore the depths, collect resources, and craft gear to help you survive longer dives. It’s equal parts peaceful exploration and nerve-wracking suspense, especially when you realize something big is lurking in the dark.
Image credit: Unknown Worlds Entertainment / KRAFTON
Crafting here isn’t just about building – it’s about adapting. You’ll start with basic scuba gear and end up with fully functional underwater bases, high-tech submarines, and even alien artifacts. The game’s minimalist UI and lack of handholding make every crafted item feel earned, which separates it from other games like Subnautica.
If you want a crafting game with real atmosphere and tension, Subnautica nails it.
Raft starts small – like, literally a tiny square of wood floating in the ocean. But as you collect debris and fight off hungry sharks, your raft becomes a mobile crafting empire. You’ll be building purifiers, grills, engines, and even multi-story housing as you try to survive and uncover the story behind the flooded world.
Image credit: Redbeet Interactive
The crafting system is smooth and streamlined, but there’s plenty of depth. Resource management, inventory juggling, and planning your next upgrade all play a big role. Plus, co-op mode makes Raft one of the most relaxing and entertaining survival-crafting games to enjoy with friends.
Crafting games tap into something primal – that urge to build, to survive, and to make something awesome out of nothing. Whether you’re dodging spiders in Grounded, braving ocean horrors in Subnautica, or fending off raiders in Rust, these games give you the tools to turn chaos into creation.
So there you have it – our picks for the best crafting games you can dive into right now. Each one offers a different vibe, whether you’re looking for chill creativity or high stakes survival.
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