Players enjoy being in control of the video game world they are in, which is why there is something so attractive aboutsandbox games. One of the more interesting indie sandbox games to come out in the last year isCloud Gardens. The game tasks players with overgrowing vines and other greenery in post-apocalyptic dioramas.
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While there is also a puzzle aspect to the experience,Cloud Gardensis meant to be a relaxing time slowly placing plants around broken-down street signs and buildings. For people who enjoyed this game and other sandbox games that build on this idea of shaping levels to the player’s satisfaction, there are plenty of other options to check out.
7Universe Sandbox
WhileCloud Gardensis about revitalizing a world that has been abandoned,Universe Sandboxis about creating and manipulating planets, stars, and rocksin space. This simulator focuses on giving players a realistic experience of what it’s like in space, meaning that objects are tied to gravitational pull and can be affected by factors such as collision and weather.
Players have the ability to make their own system or observe existing systems that they may want to have fun messing with. The best part ofUniverse Sandboxis that it offers a Virtual Reality mode for those who have a compatible headset.
6The Sims 4
When it comes tosandbox games, there are very few that are as famous and expansive asThe Sims 4. The Electronic Arts classic life simulator has had its fourth game out since 2014 and has not seen a new installment in quite some time. That is because of all the DLC packs that the developers continue to add to the game.
The Sims 4has players create a Sim character and then create the house of their dreams. There are many details and various items that players can keep in mind when building their home, which is a testament to the amount of customization that is in the game. While watching the Sim live their life is a part of the game, the bread and butter is the sandbox element.
5Teardown
Cloud Gardensis about bringing life to the world post its destruction, but what if players wanted to be behind the destruction? This is why a game likeTeardownwas made. This voxel game arms playerswith the tools necessaryto destroy everything that stands in their way.
There is a campaign mode inTeardownwhere players will be tasked with stealing objects from within buildings that they can destroy to reach. However, those looking for a sandbox mode where they can do whatever they want to an environment without any objectives will find what they are searching for in this game.
4Tinytopia
Even though Cloud Gardens is a game about nature reclaiming what civilization tried to take away from it, those that are interested in keeping their own small civilization should look no further thanTinytopia. This adorable sandbox allows players to take care of a town that the player has been elected mayor of.
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With 23 different worlds to choose from, players have the job of building a city while also dealing with challenges along the way. While the game is mostly about building up, there are also a handful of potential catastrophes that could happen that players willneed to try to prevent. There are also levels where players will be challenged to balance a town on a small surface.
3Sizeable
Dioramas are at the center of what makes Cloud Gardens so wonderful, which is also whySizeableis such a delightful game to tinker around with.This puzzle gamehas players examine dioramas and resize objects so they can find three different pillars.
Each level is based on a specific theme, such as a particular holiday or a fun activity. Some objects also actively function, so these presentations actually have some life to them. Those wanting to make their own levels in sandbox fashion will be happy to know that the developers recently added a Diorama Mode for this exact purpose.
2Dorfromantik
Another indie puzzle game thattook the internet by stormfor a bit wasDorfromantik. It has sandbox elements to it where players are essentially tasked with building landscapes. However, these pieces of land are separated into tiles.
The goal for a normal round ofDorfromantikis to match the color of tiles along the edges with another tile that matches. This gives players the ability to see towns and other biomes in a seamless way. While there is a primary puzzle game that players can partake in, there are also creative modes for players looking to just endlessly build.
1Townscaper
Those looking for a relaxing experience similar to that ofCloud Gardenscan also sit back and enjoya city-builder gamelikeTownscaper. Described as more of a tool than a game, players are given a blank canvas for them to build lots of different houses and roads to make up their own small civilization.
Players are given customization options with each object they select so that each element of their town perfectly fits the builder’s vision.Townscaperalso has a built-in algorithm that allows players to place some things and let the game potentially fill out other spaces for them as well.
Cloud Gardensis available on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
