sandbox games Archives

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

Which gaming clip just won $500? Check out the best videos of May, featuring nukes in Minecraft, eternal drifts in Forza Horizon 6, and a dragon-riding giant in Skyrim

In May, the gaming community submitted a variety of video clips showcasing gameplay from titles like Counter-Strike 2, Marathon, and Battlefield 6, as well as comedic moments from sandbox games such as Crimson Desert, Minecraft, and Subnautica 2. PC Gamer curates these submissions, selecting one clip each month as the 'Best Clip of the Month,' which receives a 0 Amazon gift card.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

How this 20-year-old went from building worlds in Minecraft to making Hollywood movies

Kane Parsons, a 20-year-old filmmaker, began creating intricate worlds at age 10 and is set to release his debut feature film, Backrooms, on May 28. The film follows an architect-turned-furniture store owner who discovers a hidden portal leading to a maze of unsettling rooms, prompting his therapist to rescue him. Parsons was inspired by an internet image related to the "Backrooms" concept, which he initially interpreted using 3D graphics software, leading to a viral YouTube video with over 78 million views. He signed a deal with indie studio A24 and collaborated with notable industry figures, including horror producer James Wan and director Osgood Perkins. The film features actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve and represents Parsons' vision of a haunting journey through a labyrinthine reality.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Steam’s Latest Free Game Is a Cozy Minecraft Alternative

Agro Life is a free-to-play PC game that launches on Steam today, April 1st. In the game, players can build, grow, and manage their own countryside life, starting with a small plot of land that can be developed into a farm with crops, animals, and structures. Activities include planting and harvesting crops, caring for livestock, gathering resources, crafting tools, and expanding settlements. Unlike Minecraft, Agro Life does not feature combat but allows exploration, hunting, fishing, and trading with NPCs. The game offers a customizable experience, catering to both peaceful farming and active survival styles.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Pokemon Pokopia Players Use Minecraft Trick to Farm Pokemetal

Grinding for Pokemetal and Rare Pokemetal in Pokemon Pokopia was previously a tedious task, with players spending entire days for minimal returns. A new farming method shared by content creator Austin John Plays allows players to gather 1,200 units in just 90 minutes. Pokemetal is essential for late-game recipes, 3D printer projects, and Cloud Island constructions, but traditional gathering methods yielded low amounts. The Dragonite doll Dream Island is identified as the richest source of Pokemetal, with optimal mining occurring six blocks underground. Players can access this layer by starting from the beach near spawn, digging down, and using the Rollout ability to navigate through the ore-rich area. The community has reacted positively, with players expressing regret over previous inefficient methods. The Pokopia player base has demonstrated a strong understanding of game mechanics, leveraging knowledge from sandbox games like Minecraft to optimize gameplay without requiring developer intervention.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Roblox and Minecraft players are less likely to play traditional AAA video games

Newzoo's insights indicate a shift in gaming preferences, with Roblox and Minecraft players showing distinct engagement patterns compared to traditional AAA titles. Roblox's playtime has increased by about 50% year over year, driven by viral experiences. There is significant overlap between Roblox and Minecraft players with popular live service games like Fortnite (55% overlap with Roblox, 46% with Minecraft) and Grand Theft Auto V (28% with Roblox, 25% with Minecraft). However, Roblox players are less likely to engage with traditionally popular games, such as Monster Hunter Wilds, where they are only 0.4 times as likely to play compared to average gamers. Similarly, Minecraft players show disinterest in titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Assassin's Creed: Shadows. The demographic of these players is often younger, leading to a reluctance to invest in pricier AAA games. Newzoo's research suggests that these players may continue favoring free-to-play live-service titles and sandbox games as they mature, which could impact the market dynamics significantly. Additionally, it is projected that by 2028, PC gaming revenue will exceed that of consoles, marking a notable growth in the industry.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

5 Best Video Games Like Terraria

"Terraria" fans have several similar gaming options. 1. Minecraft: Launched in 2011, it features procedurally generated worlds made of cubes, allowing players to gather resources, craft items, and engage in both cooperative and competitive play. It is the best-selling video game in history. 2. Starbound: Released in 2016, this sci-fi game allows players to explore various planets, terraform environments, and craft items while establishing settlements. It features procedurally generated worlds and character customization. 3. Forager: Released in 2019, this game emphasizes crafting over combat in a top-down perspective, allowing players to mine, farm, fish, and cook while exploring and developing their base. 4. Valheim: A fantasy survival game that gained popularity in 2021, where players act as fallen Viking warriors in an afterlife, combining survival elements with home maintenance and featuring a dynamic day-night cycle. 5. Core Keeper: An early access fantasy sandbox game where players explore a procedurally generated underground world, dig tunnels, and craft gear. It supports solo or cooperative play with up to seven friends.

AppWizard

January 21, 2026

‘What the f***’: Modding arch-sorcerer casually invents Minecraft x Hytale crossplay, defies laws of god and man alike

Sadat Sahib has developed a prototype that enables crossplay between Minecraft and Hytale, allowing players from both games to interact. He has shared screenshots and demonstration videos showcasing features like cross-game chat, animation synchronization, and combat mechanics. Sahib acknowledges existing challenges in the mod, describing it as a proof of concept rather than a finished product, and is focused on improving shared world generation.

AppWizard

January 14, 2026

Over 1 million players expected: New Minecraft-style sandbox MMO enters Early Access

Hytale is a highly anticipated game that combines sandbox creativity with immersive storytelling. Key features include a procedurally generated world with diverse environments, robust customization options for crafting adventures and structures, an engaging narrative with quests and lore, and community-centric tools for modding and sharing creations.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

“This new approach to world generation will redefine the block-game genre”: Hytale lead declares “fundamental shift” in how artists and game designers tackle Minecraft-style worlds

Hytale will enter early access next week, featuring a new "V1" world generation system developed from 2016 to 2020, with a "V2" system in progress since 2021. The V2 system aims to provide modders with intuitive tools for custom world generation without programming knowledge, using a node-based editor for real-time adjustments. The Hytale team is hiring over 15 world designers to enhance the game's handcrafted feel while maintaining procedural generation. The lead developer noted the project's remarkable turnaround from cancellation to a playable state in a short time.

AppWizard

December 29, 2025

Minecraft’s unofficial “WW1 update” uses the spear as artillery and lets you parry TNT

Minecraft players are innovating with new gameplay possibilities following the introduction of the spear in the Mounts of Mayhem update. The spear has been significantly buffed, making it one of the most lethal craftable weapons in the game. Players are using it to enhance TNT cannons, allowing for greater explosive range and effectiveness in combat. Additionally, players are exploring creative projects, including advanced siege engines and concepts reminiscent of World War 1, such as airships and artillery. It is now possible for players to redirect moving TNT blocks, introducing new gameplay mechanics like parrying TNT.