Sandbox
15 storiesSome sandboxes provide stories and missions, but freedom to set goals, combine systems or create content remains the defining element. Coverage includes construction guides, mods, shared creations, multiplayer updates, performance and analysis of how each game balances expressive freedom with progression, limits and understandable controls.
Odd Town Brings Retro Sandbox Mystery to PC in September 2026
Odd Town, a retro-inspired first-person sandbox adventure from The Flying Baguette and HYPERSTRANGE, is set to launch on PC via Steam in September 2026, offering players a compact open-town experience with a focus on mystery and consequence
Honeycomb: The World Beyond launches 8 September on PC, PS5 and Xbox
Frozen Way Studio and Snail Games USA have confirmed Honeycomb: The World Beyond will release on Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles this September, with a playable demo arriving on Steam a week before launch
ORMOD: Directive approaches 325,000 wishlists ahead of Gamescom demo
House 16 Software's open-world survival game ORMOD: Directive nears 325,000 Steam wishlists as the studio prepares to debut a new playable build at Gamescom 2026, offering hands-on access to previously unseen content
Space Engineers 2 Update Targets Smoother Performance and New Features
Keen Software House has released a major update for Space Engineers 2, introducing a redesigned save system, improved HUD, and a range of performance and stability enhancements for players in Early Access Alpha on Steam
Palworld 1.0 Update Revives Giant Sekhmet Bug for Players
Palworld's full release has unexpectedly brought back a memorable bug, causing the Pal Sekhmet to appear at a massive scale and sparking renewed interest in the game's unpredictable side
Mandate Order Early Access Release Date Set for August 2026
Mandate Order, an ancient Chinese war city-builder blending settlement management, diplomacy and large-scale warfare, will launch in Early Access on Steam and Epic Games Store on 12 August 2026 with multi-language support and a launch discount
Terraria Calamity mod ends development after a decade amid controversy
Development on the Calamity mod for Terraria has officially ceased after ten years, with the team citing a troubled history, asset removals and a loss of passion as key reasons for the shutdown
No Man's Sky Cosmos update shifts focus to deep space exploration
Hello Games has announced the Cosmos update for No Man's Sky, signalling a renewed emphasis on space exploration beyond planetary surfaces as the studio continues to support the game a decade after its original release
No Man's Sky Marks 10 Years With Less Than 1% of Planets Explored
Hello Games has revealed that, a decade after launch, players have explored under 1% of No Man's Sky's 18 quintillion planets, as the studio celebrates the game's anniversary and teases its next major update
A Game About Penguins Launches on PC in August with Free Prologue
A Game About Penguins, developed by CO's Entertainment and published by Ultimate Games S.A., is set for PC release on 10 August 2026. Players can already try the free prologue, offering a preview of the sandbox co-op experience
Minecraft Switch 2 Version Launches in October With Upgrade Path
Mojang has confirmed Minecraft will receive a native Nintendo Switch 2 release on 27 October, featuring enhanced visuals and an upgrade path for existing Switch 1 owners, though upgrade pricing details remain unclear
Goeland: Seagull Adventure Announced for PC Release in Late 2026
Maarti Games has officially revealed Goeland: Seagull Adventure, a sandbox title in development for PC and targeting a Q4 2026 launch. The game invites players to cause chaos or lend a wing as a mischievous seagull in an open world
Afterglow launches on iOS and Android as post-apocalyptic mobile MMORPG
Shadow Council has released Afterglow, a post-apocalyptic sandbox MMORPG for mobile, now available free on iOS and Android. The game targets players seeking meaningful progression and social play without traditional MMO time demands
Space Engineers Prosperity Update adds new encounters and Prototech tech
Keen Software House has released the Prosperity Update for Space Engineers, introducing new enemy encounters, Prototech technology, economy changes and quality-of-life improvements for all players
Polylithic Leaves Early Access With Major Update and Full Release Date
Polylithic, the Stone Age tribe-builder from Polyperfect, will exit Early Access on Steam on 25 August 2026, introducing new features, expanded co-op, and a significant content update for its 1.0 launch