10 Games With The Best Balance Between Base-Building And Exploring
Summary
- Games like Valheim and Subnautica offer a blend of building and exploration in rich environments.
- Fallout 4 introduces base-building in a post-apocalyptic world full of adventure and exploration.
- Starfield and The Planet Crafter provide vast exploration opportunities with base-building mechanics in unique settings.
Ever find yourself torn between constructing the ultimate fortress and embarking on quests? Luckily, there are tons of games out there that let you do both! These games allow you to 'come home' to a base between far-reaching quests into the wilds.
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PostsTitles like Valheim and Subnautica exemplify this synergy, offering rich environments where you can build, craft, and explore. Whether you're fortifying against mythical beasts or diving into uncharted depths, these games have a little something for everyone, no matter your creative or adventurous nature. Ready to build and explore? Let's take a look at the top games that synergize exploration and building.
10 Valheim
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Sandbox Survival Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 85/100 Critics Rec: 90% Released February 2, 2021 ESRB r Developer(s) Iron Gate AB Publisher(s) Coffee Stain Studios Engine Unity Multiplayer Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALIn Valheim, you play as a fallen Viking tasked with surviving in a procedurally generated purgatory. You'll start with only rudimentary tools, which you'll use to gather resources to construct shelters (and build even better tools). The game encourages lots of exploration, too, though. Each region harbors unique resources and formidable foes.
The game offers a unique blend of building and adventuring. Often, you'll be pushed to adventure to find the resources you need to upgrade your tools and defend yourself.
9 No Man's Sky
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Adventure Action Survival Systems 4.0/5 8.8/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 72/100 Critics Rec: 36% Released August 9, 2016 ESRB T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Animated Blood Developer(s) Hello Games Publisher(s) Hello Games Engine ProprietaryWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONNo Man's Sky presents an expansive universe with over 18 quintillion procedurally generated planets, each with its own ecosystem. You can establish bases on any planet you'd like, whether you choose a lush jungle or toxic wasteland. Your structures should be customized to the environment, making each base unique.
Of course, exploration is boundless, too. You can catalog alien species, mine resources, and engage in space battles. The game transitions quickly between planetary surfaces and space travel, and the resources you find on planets can often be used to craft and upgrade your ship - leading to even more exploration.
8 Fallout 4
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RPG Action Systems 9.3/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 87/100 Critics Rec: 89% Released November 10, 2015 ESRB M FOR MATURE: BLOOD AND GORE, INTENSE VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE, USE OF DRUGS Developer(s) Bethesda Publisher(s) Bethesda Engine CreationWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONMost Fallout games don't have a base-building system. However, Fallout 4 is different. It introduces the Settlement system, allowing you to rebuild the wasteland. You can construct homes, defenses, and trade centers, transforming derelict areas into thriving communities.
Of course, all the adventuring of the previous Fallout games is still there, too. You'll explore a rich world full of mutated creatures, rogue robots, and factions vying for control. There is a lot to explore and do, just like you would expect from a Fallout game.
7 Subnautica
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Survival Horror Open-World Science Fiction Systems 9.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 84/100 Critics Rec: 92% Released January 23, 2018 ESRB E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language Developer(s) Unknown Worlds Entertainment Publisher(s) Gearbox Publishing Engine UnityWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALSubnautica plunges you into the depths of an alien ocean on planet 4546B, where you find yourself utterly alone. Much of the early game is spent exploring. But, eventually, you'll have the tools and resources you need to start crafting underwater habitats.
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Posts 1The game has a rich environment full of coral reefs, deep-sea trenches, and underwater caves. Life is everywhere and isn't always friendly, so you'll spend quite a bit of your time fending off predators (or hiding from them, as is often the case). As you discover more about the planet, you'll also discover new resources to upgrade your items and base.
6 Starfield
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Action RPG Systems 4.0/5 7.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 85/100 Critics Rec: 83% Released September 6, 2023 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Bethesda Publisher(s) Bethesda Engine proprietary engineWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONStarfield is made for exploration and basebuilding. You'll explore a vast galaxy with over 1,000 planets, and you can establish outposts on these celestial bodies, serving as bases for resource extraction and research. As you build a base, you'll have to make decisions about what you want to prioritize. For instance, you can tailor your vessel to either combat or exploration, which will determine how good you are at certain tasks.
The game's open-world nature ensures that each planet holds unique challenges and stories, so exploring the stars never feels old. Unlike many games on this list, Starfield was originally created with both exploration and basebuilding in mind.
5 Terraria
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Action Adventure Sandbox Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 79/100 Critics Rec: 76% Released May 16, 2011 ESRB T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Cartoon Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol Developer(s) Re-Logic Publisher(s) 505 Games Engine Proprietary Multiplayer Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONTerraria may look simple on the outside, but it's a game of huge proportions. It combines building, exploration, and combat. Despite looking a bit like Minecraft, the gameplay is very different. You'll start with minimal equipment and need to mine to upgrade your tools and weapons. At the same time, you can build elaborate structures as a base for your operations.
The procedurally generated world is rich with biomes, dungeons, and bosses. There is something new around every corner, and a few forays underground quickly reveal just how huge the worlds really are.
4 The Planet Crafter
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Open-World Survival Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 81/100 Critics Rec: 82% Released April 10, 2024 Developer(s) Miju Games Publisher(s) Miju Games Engine UnityWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALIn The Planet Crafter, the base is the point of the whole game. You're tasked with terraforming a barren planet, starting with only a simple base and needing to gather resources to expand it. Exploration is key as you search for materials and blueprints to advance your terraforming efforts. Eventually, you'll be able to build habitats and biodomes, allowing you to reach your goals.
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PostsThis game has a unique set of survival mechanics merged with creative building. It's also heavily reliant on teamwork, so it's best played with a friend (or nine)!
3 Raft
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Survival Systems OpenCritic Reviews Released June 20, 2022 ESRB t Developer(s) Redbeet Interactive Publisher(s) Axolot Games Engine Unity Multiplayer Online Co-Op, Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALRaft sets you adrift on an endless ocean with only a hook and a plank to your name. Slowly, you'll collect floating debris to expand your floating sanctuary. As you might imagine, building is slow-going. You'll also get access to abandoned islands and underground reefs, which are dangerous but provide essential resources to help you survive.
The game is filled with dangers. Often, you'll have to balance your needs for more resources with the immediate dangers of sharks and other hazards. It's a game that you either love or hate, which the reviews make very clear.
2 Astroneer
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Adventure Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 75/100 Critics Rec: 56% Released February 6, 2019 ESRB E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence Engine Unreal Engine 4 Multiplayer Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONIf you're looking for something a bit less intense, consider Astroneer. It transports you to a colorful, procedurally generated universe where you can reshape the terrain and build modular bases. The game encourages players to be creative despite the modular base design.
In the meantime, you'll also be able to explore seven unique planets, which offer their own resources that you'll need for your base building. Building and exploration go hand-in-hand in this game. You can't do one without working on the other, too.
1 Enshrouded
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Survival Open-World Action RPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 78/100 Critics Rec: 79% Released January 24, 2024 Developer(s) Keen Games Publisher(s) Keen Games Engine Holistic Multiplayer Online Multiplayer, Local MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALEnshrouded is a dark fantasy survival game that combines deep base-building mechanics with open-world exploration. Many of the mechanics are very similar to other fantasy RPGs, with a heavy dose of co-op thrown in. However, the game also has a huge emphasis on base-building, which you'll do between adventures into the wilderness and epic boss battles.
If you wanted Skyrim's home mechanic to be a bit more in-depth, this is a game you should try out. You're able to build grand halls beside up to 15 of your favorite people.
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