It may seem crazy, but what if I told you that you do not really have to be led by the hand, and you can actually create your own fun despite the adventure developer had in mind? Well, if you like the idea, then the sandbox genre is the right choice for you!

Casual gamers, professional and semi-amateurs - you all are exactly the kind of people who will love some roaming free action! In our best sandbox games guide, we present the most complex games there are and the casual first game to create your own path. So, let’s dive into the crazy realm of doing things on your own (it’s crazy, we know!).

What Is a “Sandbox Game”?

Well, like in the case of EA Sports — it’s in the name. Imagine playing with friends as a kid. You are all in a sandbox, after all, making castles and being in full control of the experience you’re having. It’s not like some demi-God will come and make you do some exact tower or a sand-garage for your sand-car? It’s all in the grasp of your hand — literally.

The same goes for sandbox games. During early game development, games were rather simple, with some exceptions. Hence, the developers with limited access to resources had to guide the players through scripts and lead them around the places by limiting players’ access to certain areas.

Nowadays, it is no longer a problem, so more game developers have decided to open the world to explore players. By doing so — we get amazing games where you can go anywhere and do (almost) anything! So, what are some of the best sandbox games on the market for all of us to enjoy? Let’s find out together!

Grand Theft Auto (Franchise)

When we’re talking about open-world games, you must not miss one of the pioneers of the genre! Well, it’s not Pokemon that opened this possibility, but it is a franchise that elevated the idea of open-world games to the next level! Rockstar really knows how to do this, and we will have another installment from them on this list, but firstly — GTA 4 Life!

Whether we’re talking about some classic San Andreas and Los Santos action, the latest Grand Theft Auto V, or any previous games, GTA is one of the best places to start experiencing open-world games. With an incredible multiplayer, living, and breathing world (until they meet you, of course) — it’s a must-have for any sandbox enthusiasts!

Focusing on Grand Theft Auto 5, we must admit that the character development, creativity in missions, many tools, and, well, pretty much everything about this game is on just another level. It is not surprising that so many people play it on online servers and in an offline experience.

In the latest edition, you can take control of three different characters, with their own backstory, and personality. During missions, you can switch between them to access the level unavailable for some reason (e.g., lots of guns) to the other.

Remember to also check out the vast multiplayer world in Grand Theft Auto community. It’s an immersive sim experience. You really cannot find it in many places!

P.S. Early access GTA 6 is already in motion! It will probably break the internet as it should, so look out for it!

Assassin’s Creed (Franchise)

Speaking of franchises — here’s Assassin’s Creed, Ladies and Gentlemen! Whether it’s the new game, the first one, or, to be honest, any of them — you just can’t go wrong with our loveable assassins!

Backstory: the world is torn between freedom-loving Assassins and forcefully created order done by Templars. You live in the present and are also a successor of the Assassin who lived in the past. 

Also — there is a way to access your memories from that time. Moreover, there are many more assassins in different places and times around the globe. As you may presume — the plot is getting a bit messy after a while. Nevertheless — it is still an excellent open-world game franchise with many things to show for it!

As for gameplay, you are in a certain historic place, wearing a specific historical outfit, and, depending on the place, you assassinate people with certain historical weapons.

Anyway, every game is unique and does something different.

For example, in the game's third installment, you could have a pirate ship! While playing in Egypt, you can ride a camel. There are many differences, but the core is the same — incredible gameplay, lots of side-quests, and, well, an open world!

Red Dead Redemption (Franchise)

And, after a brief interlude, we have another Rockstar Games open-world classic — Red Dead Redemption 2 and the first one, with Red Dead Online as a great addition to the franchise. 

It is, and we’re not saying it lightly, not only one of the best sandbox games but also one of the best games, period! RDR lets you experience the vast and open world of the Wild West, mine resources, and do anything you can to survive as you did back in the old west.

The story takes place some time ago when people rode horses instead of fancy cars and life was just simpler, you know? Well, not really, as you quickly find out. The Wild West is, after all, a wild place where the law is just fiction.

Red Dead Redemption is different from most of the games on this list because it is the most advanced open-world game in recent history. It’s not just — you can go anywhere type of scenario, no — you can literally do (almost) everything in this game. 

Crafting, dozens of hours of battle, side quests, incredible combat, horse jumping — everything in your imagination is available and quite transparent for new players.

For example — you can find some traces of an animal in the snow, chase after it, hunt it down, skin it, prepare a meal from the meat you’ve gathered and create some clothes out of the fur. If that is not groundbreaking, then I don’t know what is. 

Hitman 3

There are many games in the Hitman franchise, so we have decided to single out the most open out of them all — Hitman 3. 

It’s the final entry in the assassination trilogy from IO Interactive and, like most other games on this list, this time no plot will help you — you need to take the targets on your own. How are you going to do it? Well, that’s your problem.

Hitman 3 opens up the franchise to new possibilities! Our favorite barcoded assassin is not a victim of circumstances anymore. 

This time, he is the one who knocks, as the famous line says. Check out many beautiful cities, such as Dubai, Dartmoor, or Berlin, and, as assassins do, assassinate people in those places (there is no easy way around it).

Game developers emphasized the true nature of preparing a hit. It starts with you checking out where the target is located, getting acquainted with the local habits, and then striking in the most unexpected way possible. 

Lay a trap, poison them, send them to space, or make them watch Blade II until they just can’t take it anymore. Make toys out of elite, dangerous criminals and others who were unlucky enough to stand in your way!

Minecraft

As sandbox games go — this is the one. You really cannot find anything offering more freedom than Minecraft. This is literally putting blocks on top of the other blocks and, in this way, creating structures.

In other related topics — it is also one of the most popular games in gaming history. People worldwide love and cherish creating amazing structures with the power of their imagination. 

There is a lot to say about Minecraft phenomenon, all the T-shirts, YouTube series, books, and guides on how to be the best Minecrafter in the world — we will not cover all of them in our article, but what we can say is this — you will not be disappointed. 

This game may seem like something for kids, with simplistic graphics and even simpler gameplay, but trust us — you can do a lot with those blocks. People build classical paintings, buildings, and even meatballs (as some Swedish YouTubers may have in the past)!

So — the world is yours to create! Team up with other players, or just go solo and achieve the one and only — diamond armor! Explore the amazing worlds of Minecraft, and we are sure — there will be something there for you!

P.S. Can you believe that it’s 11 years since this game was released. ELEVEN. YEARS. That puts things into perspective, doesn’t it?