Unearthing the Best Minetest Alternatives for Your Voxel Adventures
Minetest, a beloved open-source, near-infinite-world block sandbox game, has carved out a significant niche for itself among players who appreciate its moddability, vast landscapes, and multi-platform availability. Inspired by classics like InfiniMiner and Minecraft, Minetest offers a robust engine for creating and exploring. However, even with its impressive feature set, including multiple sub-games, a powerful Modding API, and diverse map generators, players often seek out Minetest alternatives for different gameplay experiences, unique features, or commercial offerings. If you're looking to expand your blocky horizons, this guide explores some of the top contenders.
Top Minetest Alternatives
Whether you're after a more structured adventure, a highly polished commercial experience, or another open-source gem, these alternatives offer exciting new worlds to explore.
Minecraft
Minecraft is the quintessential sandbox mining and crafting game, offering infinite 3D voxel worlds. As a commercial game available across virtually every major platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and more), it provides a highly polished experience with extensive moddability, multiplayer, single-player, and procedurally generated exploration. It stands as a direct competitor and a natural step for those looking for a commercial Minetest alternative with a massive community and constant updates.
LEGO Worlds
LEGO Worlds brings the iconic LEGO brick experience to a procedural voxel universe. This commercial game, available on Windows, PlayStation, and Xbox, allows players to explore, build, and discover secrets within worlds made entirely of LEGO bricks. Its focus on creative construction with familiar LEGO elements makes it a unique and charming Minetest alternative, particularly for fans of the building aspect.
Creativerse
Creativerse is a freemium sandbox adventure game set in a visually stunning, mysterious world. Available on Mac, Windows, and Steam, it emphasizes exploration and adventure within its voxel environment. While not open source, its freemium model allows players to experience much of what it offers without an upfront cost, making it an accessible Minetest alternative for those seeking a more adventurous sandbox.
Terasology
Terasology, an open-source project originally known as Blockmania, focuses on researching procedural terrain generation and efficient rendering within a voxel world. Available for free on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it features a robust modular system for building blocks and expanding gameplay. As a free and open-source Minetest alternative, it's an excellent choice for players interested in the technical aspects and modding potential of voxel games.
Voxelands
Voxelands is a fun-focused, free software voxel world game based directly on Minetest. It's available as free and open-source software for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Offering an infinite world, multiplayer and single-player modes, and survival elements, Voxelands is an ideal Minetest alternative for those who love Minetest's core mechanics but want to explore a different iteration developed with a distinct focus.
MineClone 2
MineClone 2 is a survival sandbox game with the explicit goal of creating a free clone of Minecraft, built within the Minetest engine. This free and open-source game is available on Mac, Windows, and Linux (via Minetest). It features single-player, multiplayer, procedural generation, and typical sandbox gameplay, making it a highly compatible Minetest alternative for players seeking a Minecraft-like experience without the commercial aspects.
Eco
Eco is a unique commercial online game for Windows (Steam) where players collaborate to build a civilization while everything they do affects the environment. Unlike traditional sandbox games, Eco integrates environmental consequences and requires careful resource management. While not a direct Minetest clone, its multiplayer building and survival elements make it an intriguing Minetest alternative for players looking for a more strategic and environmentally conscious voxel experience.
Mythruna
Mythruna is a game under construction that aims to combine extensive world-building, crafting, and sandbox elements with RPG touches. Available as a free game for Mac, Windows, and Linux, Mythruna offers a deeper, more narrative-driven experience than typical sandbox games. It serves as a promising Minetest alternative for those seeking a sandbox game with a blend of construction and role-playing.
Blockland
Blockland is a commercial non-linear sandbox game for Mac, Windows (Steam), focused on giving players the freedom to design and construct elaborate structures using minifigure-styled characters. Its emphasis on creative building, multiplayer, and online collaboration provides a distinct experience. For players who enjoy Minetest's building capabilities but desire a more playful, LEGO-like aesthetic and community features, Blockland is a fun Minetest alternative.
Novetus
Novetus is a free and open-source community game for Windows, building upon RBXLegacy and Roblox. It aims to improve on its predecessors with new features, offering a moddable sandbox experience with multiplayer, single-player, and built-in editing tools. While its origins are tied to Roblox, its block-based construction and community focus make it a fascinating and customizable Minetest alternative, especially for those interested in user-generated content and modding.
Ultimately, the best Minetest alternative depends on what you're looking for. Whether it's the polished commercial experience of Minecraft, the creative freedom of LEGO Worlds, the open-source community of Terasology, or the unique twist of Eco, there's a voxel world waiting to be explored that perfectly fits your preferences and playstyle.