Uncovering the Best Blockade Runner Alternatives for Your Space Sim Adventures
Blockade Runner captured the imagination of many with its ambitious vision of a Multiplayer First Person Adventure Space Sim, promising fully destructible, operational, crewable 'living' starships in a procedurally generated galaxy. Inspired by the likes of Infiniminer and Minecraft, it set a high bar for voxel-based space exploration. However, for various reasons, players often seek out new experiences or more developed options. Whether you're looking for different gameplay mechanics, active development, or simply a fresh take on the genre, finding a suitable Blockade Runner alternative is key to continuing your journey through the cosmos.
Top Blockade Runner Alternatives
If you're ready to explore new frontiers and build your galactic empire, or simply delve into similar voxel-based sandbox experiences, these alternatives offer compelling gameplay and unique features that might just be your next favorite space sim.
Creativerse
Creativerse is a sandbox adventure game that shares the voxel-based building and exploration DNA with Blockade Runner. Available on Freemium, Mac, Windows, Wine, and Steam, it offers a beautiful yet treacherous world shrouded in mystery. While not a space sim, its core sandbox mechanics, including building and exploration, will appeal to Blockade Runner fans who enjoyed the constructive aspects of the game.
Terasology
Terasology, originally known as Blockmania, is a Free and Open Source project available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. It focuses heavily on procedural terrain generation and offers robust building blocks and a modular system. For those who appreciated Blockade Runner's procedural galaxy and the potential for player-driven creativity, Terasology provides a solid foundation for similar world-building and exploration, albeit in a more fantastical setting.
Voxelands
Voxelands is a fun-focused, Free and Open Source sandbox construction game based on Minetest, available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. It emphasizes an infinite world, multiplayer and single-player modes, and survival elements. Fans of Blockade Runner's foundational voxel mechanics and its inspiration from Minecraft will find Voxelands a welcoming and engaging alternative for building and surviving in a blocky universe.
Space Engineers
Space Engineers is a Commercial game for Windows (via Steam) that offers a sandbox experience centered around engineering, construction, and maintenance of space works. Players can build space ships and stations of various sizes, echoing Blockade Runner's promise of crewable starships. While it doesn't feature the same 'living galaxy' or procedural generation on the same scale, its robust building and physics systems make it an excellent alternative for those who enjoyed the detailed construction aspect of Blockade Runner.
MineClone 2
MineClone 2 is a Free and Open Source survival sandbox game available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Minetest, aiming to be a free clone of Minecraft. It offers single-player and multiplayer modes, blocks, and procedurally generated worlds. For players drawn to Blockade Runner's direct inspiration from Minecraft and its core survival/building loop, MineClone 2 provides a comprehensive and free alternative that captures the essence of block-based adventures.
StarMade
StarMade is a Freemium 3D space shooter inspired by Minecraft, available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Steam. It focuses on real-time generated space exploration and extensive ship design. With its multiplayer and open-world features, StarMade is arguably one of the closest Blockade Runner alternatives for those seeking a true space sim experience with voxel-based building and exploration on a grand scale.
The Blockheads
The Blockheads is a Free game available on Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, and iPad. It features a third-person perspective and survival elements, where players craft and build to survive in a blocky world. While it doesn't offer space exploration, its mobile accessibility and core survival sandbox gameplay make it an interesting alternative for those who enjoyed the fundamental building and resource management of Blockade Runner, but prefer to play on the go.
Novetus
Novetus is a Free and Open Source community game for Windows, Self-Hosted, Roblox, and RBXLegacy. It's designed to improve upon RBXLegacy, offering features like multiplayer, 2D and 3D physics, 3D buildings, and a built-in editor. While not a direct space sim, its focus on user-generated content, moddability, and robust building tools resonate with the creative freedom that Blockade Runner aspired to provide.
Shores of Hazeron
Shores of Hazeron is a Commercial game available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, offering an unscripted, living, and thriving universe with first-person action from the ground to the stars. It features multiplayer, MMO, MMORPG, open-world, procedurally generated, and sci-fi elements. For those who sought the grand scale and immersive space exploration of Blockade Runner, Shores of Hazeron provides a deep and expansive experience where you are always yourself in a vast galaxy.
Epic Inventor
Epic Inventor is a Free and Open Source game available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, inspired by Terraria. While it's a 2D side-scrolling experience, it shares the core elements of gaming, crafting, and exploration in a procedurally generated world. For Blockade Runner fans who enjoyed the resource gathering and crafting mechanics, Epic Inventor offers a compelling and portable alternative in a different dimension.
Exploring these Blockade Runner alternatives opens up a universe of possibilities for players seeking similar open-world, building, and exploration experiences. Whether your priority is deep space engineering, survival in a blocky world, or expansive multiplayer adventures, there's a game out there to fit your specific needs and propel you into your next great gaming saga. Choose the one that best aligns with your preferred gameplay style and embark on a new journey today!