11 Best Crafting Games to Test Your Creativity and Survival Skills

11 Best Crafting Games to Test Your Creativity and Survival Skills

Crafting games has always been a staple in the gaming community, offering players a unique blend of creativity, strategy, and exploration. 

These games challenge players to gather resources, craft tools, and build structures, all while navigating dynamic worlds filled with mysteries, quests, and adventures.

This article explores the best crafting games available, highlighting their unique features, gameplay, mechanics, and the immersive experiences they offer.

No Man's Sky

  • Release Date: Aug 9, 2016.

  • Publisher: Hello Games.

  • Developer: Hello Games.

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Cloud Gaming.

  • Metascore: 71.

 

No Man's Sky is a crafting game that offers you a procedurally generated open-world experience. After crashing on an alien planet, you are thrust into a universe filled with different planets, each with valuable resources and mysteries. 

The game's intricate crafting system allows you to gather plants, minerals, and craft elements essential for survival and progression.

The gameplay is about exploration and mastering the art of crafting in a universe where the possibilities are as endless as the stars. Every item plays a role in your cosmic journey, from building shelters on desolate planets to crafting recipes, tools, and weapons.

The map is vast, and with the option to play with friends, the fun is multiplied as you collaborate, explore, and build together. What I most enjoyed while playing this amazing game in multiplayer mode was fighting against space pirates and the trading system with other players and aliens.

Whether you prefer visiting alien planets, soaring through the skies in your spaceship, or simply marveling at the beauty of the cosmos, No Man's Sky offers a fun and immersive experience.

 

No Man's Sky features:

  • You can use cosmic resources to craft essential tools and structures.

  • The game offers different biomes, from lush forests to barren deserts.

  • Engage in thrilling space battles.

  • Base building system where you can establish your outpost on planets, customizing and expanding as you see fit.

 

No Man's Sky Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

Dragon Quest Builders 2

  • Release Date: Dec 20, 2018.

  • Publisher: Square Enix.

  • Developer: Square Enix, Koei Tecmo Games, Omega Force.

  • Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows.

  • Metascore: 86.

 

Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a crafting game that combines the Dragon Quest JRPG lore with a sandbox builder. You can freely shape an island, ensuring unique creations. 

Even though it's deeply rooted in the Dragon Quest universe, the game offers a fresh take on the crafting system, allowing you to craft items from simple tools to grand architectural wonders. As you progress, you'll embark on specific building quests, ensuring you experience everything the game offers. 

Combat takes an important part in the game. Kill monsters and enhance your character's abilities to improve your overall skills. 

The game world is filled with materials waiting to be transformed into crafted items, and the quests provide a structured way to explore this vast world. I liked the "chapters" that split up different major sections in a way that made progression more exciting.

For those unsure about giving right in, there's a free-to-play demo available, giving a taste of the crafting, combat, and quests that lie ahead.

 

Dragon Quest Builders 2 features:

  • You can create teams with friends and build collaborative wonders.

  • Collecting material systems to fuel your crafting creativity.

  • The game offers an enhanced combat experience.

  • You can be part of a vast sandbox world where creativity knows no bounds.

 

Dragon Quest Builders 2 Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

The Long Dark

  • Release Date: Sep 22, 2014.

  • Publisher: Hinterland Studio.

  • Developer: Hinterland Studio.

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, MacOS, Linux.

  • Metascore: 77.

 

The Long Dark is a first-person survival game set in the frigid Canadian wilderness, where you take the role of a crash-landed bush pilot named Will Mackenzie, who must face the challenge of surviving a vast environment after a geomagnetic storm.

Unlike other survival games, The Long Dark offers an immersive simulation focusing on factors like:

  • Body temperature.

  • Caloric intake.

  • Hunger.

  • Thirst.

  • Fatigue.

  • Wind-chill.

  • Wildlife interactions.

 

In survival mode, gathering resources is crucial, where you must hunt animals, craft things like weapons and equipment, and use fire for warmth and cooking to ensure survival. You can also play a story mode where you follow an episodic adventure with survival elements. You will be restricted to certain geographic regions and follow narrative-driven gameplay.

I remember seeking refuge in a cabin during a fierce snowstorm and narrowly escaping a wolf's grasp. Each choice felt life-or-death, making it a gripping survival journey.

 

The Long Dark features:

  • Day/night cycle and weather.

  • The game saves only at specific moments, and the only end is the player's death.

  • Explore dynamic environments battling against body temperature, hunger, thirst, and fatigue.

  • You can choose your level of challenge, from the exploratory "Pilgrim" mode to the punishing "Interpoler" mode.

 

The Long Dark Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

Stardew Valley

  • Release Date: Feb 26, 2016.

  • Publisher: Eric Barone, Chucklefish.

  • Developer: Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone.

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux.

  • Metascore: 89.

 

Stardew Valley is a farm life simulation game developed by Eric "ConcercedApe" Barone. The game allows you to play with a character who inherits his late grandfather's run-down farm.

The gameplay is open-ended, offering you the freedom to rear livestock, fish, cook, mine, forage, and build relationships with the residents of Stardew Valley. This includes the possibility of marriage and raising children.

The game's world is rich and immersive, giving the option to choose from various farm types, each with advantages and challenges. As you progress, you can clear the land of obstacles, plant and harvest crops, raise animals, and expand your farm. I really enjoyed choosing if I wanted to focus on farming, mining, or fishing on a particular day.

You can also gather resources from the world around you, which you can use to craft elements, tools, and more.

 

Stardew Valley Features:

  • The game has a versatile gameplay. Whether it's raising animals, fishing, or farming, the choice is in your hands.

  • You can find multiple romantic opportunities with 12 townsfolk available for dating.

  • Extensive customization elements where you can choose from hundreds of characters and home decoration options.

  • The game supports multiplayer mode, allowing up to four players to collaborate online.

 

Stardew Valley Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

Sons of the Forest

  • Release Date: Feb 23, 2023.

  • Publisher: Newnight.

  • Developer: Endnight Games.

  • Platforms: Microsoft Windows.

  • Metascore: N/A.

 

This open-world survival game will transport you to an island named "Site 2" in the shoes of a military man with a companion called Kelvin, who is deaf and communicates by writing commands.

As the story progresses, you will uncover dark secrets, such as cannibals and mutants. You will also meet Virginia, a unique three-legged, three-armed woman. I was confused when I first encountered her, thinking she would kill me, but to my surprise, she proved to be a valuable ally in combat against other mutants.

If you want to survive, you must harvest resources, gather supplies, and craft things. Crafting options range from primary weapons to advanced items. For example, a basic recipe to craft a wooden spear is using sticks, duct tape, and a knife, or to make a bow, you'll need rope and more sticks.

On the other hand, you can find 3D printers throughout the map where you can craft advanced items using just resin. These recipes include:

  • Stronger arrows.

  • A mask.

  • A water flask.

  • Grappling hook.

  • A sled.

 

For survival, you'll also need to craft a base and a campfire. To construct your base, press 'B' on your keyboard, go to the building menu, select wall, floor, roof, etc, or choose pre-built templates. In this menu, you will find the campfire and more crafting items like furniture, traps, and more.

 

Sons of the Forest features:

  • The game supports multiplayer mode, allowing up to eight players to join your session.

  • Incorporation of friendly NPCs like Kelvin and Virginia.

  • Experience innovative gameplay elements like 3D printing to craft useful items.

  • The map is four times larger than "The Forest," offering vast areas for exploration.

 

Sons Of The Forest Global Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

Valheim

  • Release Date: Feb 2, 2021.

  • Publisher: Coffee Stain Studios.

  • Developer: Iron Gate Studio.

  • Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Linux, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

  • Metascore: N/A.

 

Valheim is rooted in the Norse mythology world, where slain Vikings are tested to prove their worthiness for the halls of Valhalla. 

At first, you'll be tasked with defeating the evils that plague Valheim, guided only by your instincts and occasional hints from a raven. The goal is to face and defeat the sworn enemies of Odin.

The gameplay revolves around an open-world survival mechanism, where you must craft tools, build shelters, and fight enemies to survive. 

From the menu in your inventory, you can craft your first essential items like a stone axe and a hammer, but if you want more complex items, you'll need Workbenches, where you can craft better weapons, strong armor, and other valuable tools.

The World in Valheim is procedurally generated based on a map seed, and it's divided into various biomes like meadows, the Black Forest, swamps, and more. The visuals and Norse mythology-inspired narrative provide an immersive experience as you navigate through the procedurally generated purgatory of Valheim.

My only complaint about this game is some early frustration in understanding the terraform mechanics and the fact that my campfires keep flickering randomly for some reason. Beyond that, I give this game a 9/10 due to its incredibly smooth progression experience and complete immersion.

 

Valheim features:

  • A skill-level system that impacts gameplay mechanics.

  • The Multiplayer co-op mode allows players to team up and conquer challenges together.

  • Easy crafting systems that enable you to create tools, weapons, and shelters.

  • Diverse biomes, each with its challenges, enemies, and bosses.

 

Valheim Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

Minecraft

  • Release Date: Nov 18, 2011.

  • Publisher: Mojang Studios, Xbox Games Studios, Sony Interactive Entertainment.

  • Developer: Mojang Studios.

  • Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Wii U, Nintendo Switch.

  • Metascore: 82.

 

Minecraft exploits your imagination and gives you endless possibilities to craft what you wish. This game is about building and crafting elements, transforming a blank canvas into a world filled with life, structures, and adventure.

Its attractiveness lies in its simplicity. With craftable items ranging from simple tools to weapons and armor, you have the ability to shape your environment, defend against threats, and explore the game universe.

But Minecraft is more than a survival game with solitary experiences. You can play with other players, share creations, and adventure together. You can also trade potions, build massive fortresses, and battle side by side, increasing the sense of community and collaboration and enriching the gameplay.

 

Minecraft features:

  • Expansive biomes where you can explore thick forests, vast deserts, and icy tundras.

  • The game has a hostile nightlife with various monsters like Creepers and Endermans.

  • Robust crafting system with many materials to craft tools, weapons, armor, and more.

  • The game teaches you real-world logic and electronics, like learning the Redstone circuits system.

 

Minecraft Java Edition Global CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

Graveyard Keeper

  • Release Date: Aug 15, 2018.

  • Publisher: Magic Cat.

  • Developer: Lazy Bear Games.

  • Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Linux, MacOS, Android, iOS.

  • Metascore: 69.

 

In Graveyard Keeper, you find yourself in a distinctive world where you take charge of a small graveyard near a town. You can interact with various NPCs, fulfilling their quests that often involve crafting items or collecting elements.

To start crafting food, weapons, potions, or tools, you must use workstations around your land. There's a specific workbench for every element, for example:

  • Alchemist workbench.

  • Carpenters workbench.

  • Church workbench.

 

You need to craft each of these workstations as you progress in the game and develop the technology tree to obtain blueprints.

The game also features farming, smithing, rudimentary combat, a multi-level dungeon, fishing, and more. 

In my opinion, you can play this game in two ways: at your own pace or by keeping track of all the events to make the most of your time. I chose the first option, which became my go-to game for relaxation.

 

Graveyard Keeper features:

  • Unique visuals, with retro pixel art graphics that perfectly match its dark and humorous tone.

  • Open-ended exploration allowing you to navigate a world filled with challenges, quests, and mysteries.

  • You can gather resources and craft a wide range of items essential for progress.

  • Oversee and manage your graveyard, church, and even a multi-level dungeon.

 

Graveyard Keeper Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

Ark: Survival Evolved

  • Release Date: Jun 2, 2015.

  • Publisher: Studio Wildcard.

  • Developer: Studio Wildcard.

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Android, iOS, Linux, Google Stadia.

  • Metascore: 70.

 

Ark: Survival Evolved scratches the crafting itch many people seek in the survival genre. Launched initially in early access, it has since become one of the best games in its category. In this game, you will be on an island filled with roaming dinosaurs, mythical creatures, and potentially hostile human players.

If you are looking for a new life in a prehistoric world, you'll find plenty to do in this game, from gathering resources to crafting essential equipment. As you play, you must spend resources wisely, create tools and weapons, and battle both creatures and other players.

The Survival Evolved Ark planet offers a mix of challenges, from exploring unknown territories to managing an inventory full of loot. And, of course, the ever-present danger of dinosaurs ensures that players always have a task at hand.

I remember having a ship in the ocean with a group of friends, and a prehistoric whale attacked us and destroyed all of our tribe. So, be careful; one wrong move might send you back to square one.

 

ARK: Survival Evolved features:

  • Play solo or team up with your friends, forming tribes to enhance survival chances.

  • Explore the technology tree, unlocking advanced recipes and tools.

  • The game offers stunning visuals with detailed graphics, from dense jungles to vast oceans.

  • Tame and ride a wide range of prehistoric creatures, from docile dodos to colossal Giganotosaurus.

 

ARK: Survival Evolved US Xbox live CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

Don't Starve Together

  • Release Date: Apr 21, 2016.

  • Publisher: Klei Entertainment.

  • Developer: Klei Entertainment.

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Mac OS, Linux.

  • Metascore: 83.

 

Don't Starve Together is a survival video game about a scientist named Wilson who finds himself in a dark parallel world known as the Constant. The objective is to keep Wilson alive, fed, and mentally stable while avoiding many surreal and supernatural enemies.

You can also select and play with other characters like Willow, Wolfgang, Wurt, and Wes. I enjoyed playing with Wurt because she's a unique character restricted to only vegetable items, making the gameplay easier.

The game features an action-adventure format with a randomly generated world, integrating survival and roguelike gameplay elements. You have to craft items and gather resources to survive. 

An important aspect is the day/night cycle, with dangerous monsters emerging mostly at night. The game's art style is dark and supernatural yet cartoonish, drawing comparisons to filmmaker Tim Burton's work.

 

Don't Starve Together features:

  • Prioritize and manage resources carefully, from maintaining tools to preserving food.

  • The game offers a multiplayer co-op mode.

  • Rich crafting system, with several recipes to craft tools, weapons, shelters, and more.

  • It is a randomly generated world with new and unique experiences every time you play. 

 

Don't Starve Together Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

Scrap Mechanic

  • Release Date: Jan 19, 2016.

  • Publisher: Axolot Games.

  • Developer: Axolot Games.

  • Platforms: Microsoft Windows.

  • Metascore: N/A.

 

Scrap Mechanic is a sandbox video game set in a machine-filled creative paradise where your character starts at the crash site of a spaceship equipped with minimal items.

The game offers a rich crafting experience where you can build machines, vehicles, and buildings.

Initially, you can access a basic crafting station called a Mini Craftbot. As you progress, you will unlock the Mechanic Station, enabling you to create more crafting stations like the Dressbot for making clothes, the Refinebot for refining raw materials, and the Cookbot for food recipes. 

 

This game offers three modes to play:

  • Survival mode: Introduces new mechanics like wildlife, scavenging, farming, and cooking. 

  • Creative mode Provides unlimited access to all items, allowing you to test widgets without restrictions.

  • Challenge mode: Basic building functionality with limited blocks and parts, and with the opportunity to create challenge maps that you can upload on the Steam Workshop.

 

The crafting experience is so vast that when I played this game, I learned how to use the logic gates and could build a D77-TC Pelican, which is an aircraft in the game Halo.

 

Scrap Mechanic features:

  • A dynamic world with hostile farming robots and diverse environments.

  • Craft and use the Resource Collector for efficient gathering and refining of materials.

  • Vibrant visuals with detailed graphics.

 

Scrap Mechanic Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

Best Crafting Games - Summary

The world of crafting and survival games is vast and varied, with titles ranging from the cosmic exploration of "No Man's Sky" to a typical sandbox experience with "Scrap Mechanic." Each game mentioned in this article offers incredible crafting experiences, ensuring you have many options to satisfy your crafting itch.

Whether you are an experienced gamer or new to this genre, we assure you that there's a crafting game out there that's perfect for you.