Core Keeper combines elements of crafting, exploration, mining, and combat into a unique underground sandbox experience, making it a massive hit among gamers of all ages.
But we might end up wanting more (or something a bit different) even when talking about amazing games, and this is what I am here to share with you today: the best games like Core Keeper, games that let you explore vast worlds, gather resources, and build to your heart’s desires.
NOTE: These games have been all hand-picked by myself (a veteran gamer). They are not generated by algorithms or based on tags/whatever. These are games I genuinely believe fnas of Core Keeper will enjoy playing and find really similar.
Stardew Valley
Released: February 2016 (and still going strong)
We’ll start with Stardew Valley to get the obvious choice out of the way. It’s almost cliche nowadays to recommend it, but it has to be done, because it is, after all, THE game that started it all.
So, if you enjoy the relaxing yet engaging loop of mining and building in Core Keeper, Stardew Valley is the perfect palate cleanser. While the game focuses more on farming than dungeon crawling, it has a bit of everything to keep you busy and entertained.
So, if you somehow haven’t tried Stardew Valley yet, I recommend it as the top choice for a Core Keeper alternative.
Also read: We Were Here Games in Order
Terraria
Released: May 2011 (also still going strong)
Another veteran that simply has to be recommended before moving on to more recent games. The 2D version of Core Keeper (or Stardew Valley or other similar games) is a timeless classic, letting you dig deep into the earth, fight epic bosses, and build your dream base.
Its crafting system and exploration feel instantly familiar, but Terraria cranks up the action, offering a much faster-paced experience with its huge variety of weapons and monsters.
While I’ve never really been a fan of Terraria, I have to admit that it’s a great alternative and a very good game overall. So, like with Stardew Valley – if you haven’t played it yet, now would be the perfect time to try it out.
Valheim
Released: February 2021
Valheim feels like Core Keeper’s Viking cousin in a 3D perspective. Set in a procedurally generated Norse world, this survival game shines in many areas. The best part? You can play it with your friends and double or triple the fun.
You and your friends can roam the lands, gathering materials to craft weapons, building epic Viking bases, and battling mythological creatures. The dynamic seasons and weather give the game a lived-in feel, and exploring the ever-expanding world never gets old.
Farlands
Released: July 2024
Farlands drops you onto a mysterious alien planet and tasks you with survival in a cute, colorful, and procedurally generated world.
This game stands out with its lush alien environments and unique wildlife that you’ll need to study – and sometimes fight – while gathering resources to build your base. The blend of exploration, crafting, and sci-fi setting feels fresh but has that Core Keeper vibe that fans love, while the visuals themselves are lovable.
Recommended reading: Best Horror Games on Steam
Little-Known Galaxy
Released: May 2024
Another space exploration survival mash-up, but a bit more on the cute side and less on the gritty alien encounters.
Little-Known Galaxy is an excellent alternative to Core Keeper, where you hop from planet to planet, gathering resources to craft and build bases, all while encountering strange new life forms and dangers.
It shares Core Keeper’s crafting and base-building mechanics but offers the extra fun of interplanetary exploration and, despite its seemingly more casual approach, solid depth and complexity.
Don’t Starve Together
Released: April 2016
If the survival elements of Core Keeper are what hooked you, Don’t Starve Together turns up the difficulty and throws you into a harsh, Tim Burton-esque wilderness. With its striking art style and constant tension of trying to stay alive against nature and bizarre monsters, Don’t Starve Together offers a more challenging take on survival.
The co-op mode is where the magic happens, letting you and your friends gather resources, craft tools, and build shelter while bracing for the increasingly brutal nights. It’s perfect for Core Keeper fans who want a darker, more difficult survival experience.
And, if you really don’t care about the multiplayer experience, you can try the original Don’t Starve (or simply play this one alone).
Deep Rock Galactic
Released: February 2018
Space dwarves, mining, and shooting aliens – doesn’t this sound fun already?
Deep Rock Galactic brings high-octane action to the mining and resource-gathering genre, similar to Core Keeper but with a first-person twist. You and up to three friends take on dangerous mining missions, digging through procedurally generated caves while battling alien hordes.
While it’s probably the most different game in terms of gameplay compared to Core Keeper, I still believe it will be perfect for fans of the game. Plus, who doesn’t want to play as a heavily armed space dwarf?
Necesse
Released: December 2019
Necesse mixes sandbox survival with action RPG elements, making it a solid Core Keeper alternative. This top-down game lets you explore procedurally generated islands, gather resources, and fight off waves of enemies. It also introduces village-building mechanics, where you can recruit NPC settlers to help you grow your settlement.
If you’re looking for a game that shares Core Keeper’s spirit but with a slightly more tactical edge, Necesse offers a great balance of exploration, crafting, and combat, as well as co-op multiplayer.
Also read: Best Games Like Plague Inc
The Survivalists
Released: October 2020
The Survivalists is set in the Escapists universe, but don’t let the cartoony visuals fool you – this is a deep survival game.
Like Core Keeper, it offers a mix of crafting, resource gathering, and exploration on a mysterious island. What sets it apart is the ability to train monkeys to automate tasks, adding a quirky and strategic layer to your survival efforts.
If you enjoyed building and exploring in Core Keeper but want something with a bit more personality and humor, The Survivalists delivers a fun, engaging experience. The visual style might not be for everyone, but if you can live with that (or even enjoy it), give it a try!
Craftopia
Released: September 2020
Craftopia seems to be the love child of Zelda, Minecraft and Core Keeper (yes, three parents are permitted in the video game world!).
Craftopia throws survival, crafting, and action-RPG mechanics into one giant sandbox. You can farm, gather resources, craft, and explore, but also do things that not many other games let you, like taming animals, piloting helicopters, and raiding dungeons.
This is for players who want a bit of everything. The crafting and exploration will feel familiar, but the sheer variety of activities makes it stand out as a more chaotic, anything-goes alternative to Core Keeper.
Astroneer
Released: December 2016
Astroneer is the ultimate sandbox space adventure, and since it’s still popular after all these years, you know you’re getting something good.
Like Core Keeper, it’s all about exploration, resource gathering, and building, but instead of caverns, you’re hopping between planets. Terraforming is a big part of the game, letting you shape the land to suit your needs as you mine for resources to craft new tools and vehicles.
Its colorful art style and low-stress gameplay make it a relaxing yet engaging alternative for Core Keeper fans who want to explore beyond the depths of the earth and into space.
Clanfolk
Released: July 2022
For those who enjoy the survival aspects of Core Keeper but want a more historical twist, Clanfolk places you in the rugged Scottish Highlands, managing a family’s survival through the changing seasons.
It’s slower-paced and more strategic, with a focus on resource management, farming, and crafting as you build a home for your clan.
It’s the perfect alternative if you’re looking for a survival experience grounded in realism and history, offering a fresh take on the survival mechanics you love from Core Keeper.
Terminus: Zombie Survivors
Released: August 2024
If you’re a fan of zombies and/or you want a more hardcore survival experience, the recently-launched Terminus: Zombie Survivors is the perfect choice and a solid alternative to Core Keeper.
Combining strategy and survival in a post-apocalyptic world, it has resource management and base-building mechanics, but the twist here is defending your settlement from relentless zombie attacks. Every decision counts, from who to save to what to scavenge, adding layers of intensity.
All in all, it’s a grittier, more tactical alternative for players who love Core Keeper’s crafting but want a game with high stakes and constant threats.
Colony Survival
Released: June 2017
Another solid pick that offers building and resource management with a bit more of a strategic twist, Colony Survival has grown tremendously since its original launch and evolved nicely, into an enjoyable experience.
In this game, you build a colony from scratch, manage resources, and defend against waves of monsters each night. The voxel-based world and building mechanics will feel familiar to Core Keeper players, especially those who have also tried Minecraft.
It’s not as focused on exploration, but the resource management, building, and defense elements make it a unique experience for those who want to build something while also fighting off hordes of enemies.
Aground
Released: August 2018
Aground is another survival-focused crafting game, but this time with a unique twist. You start stranded on an island, gathering resources to survive, and over time you’ll unlock advanced technology like flying ships and space travel. It combines simple 2D mining and crafting mechanics with surprising depth.
The mining, crafting, and exploration loop is very similar to Core Keeper, but the game’s gradual progression from primitive tools to advanced tech keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging.
There is also a sequel for this game, Aground Zero, which received a positive reaction from fans. I did not like it, as it completely changed the approach to the gameplay, but you can look at it as well. But until then… here’s where you can get Aground on PC:
Also read: The Outer Worlds Guide
Noita
Released: September 2019
Noita offers a unique twist with its roguelike mechanics and physics-based world. Every pixel in Noita is simulated, which means the environment can be manipulated in creative ways as you explore deep, dangerous caves filled with enemies and traps. The game’s spell crafting system allows you to create insane combinations to destroy enemies or alter the terrain.
While it’s more combat-focused and challenging than Core Keeper, Noita’s procedural generation, exploration, and destructible environments make it a viable alternative for players who enjoy experimenting with the world around them.
These are all solid alternatives to Core Keeper, and I am sure you will enjoy them all. I am also sure there are more options out there, so if you have a solid alternative to recommend, let us all know by commenting below!