The Best Crafting management exploration base-building Games for PC Windows

Update : Ascent of Ashes added at rank #9.
1

Aground (2018)

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93
Review score
Logo of Aground Screenshot of Aground Screenshot of Aground Screenshot of Aground

Linux Mac OS PC Windows Xbox One

Aground is a Mining/Crafting RPG with a goal, story, and reason to craft and build. The gameplay is simple, but engaging with tons of features. In Aground, you can raise dragons and launch into space, fight enemies, discover magic, and explore secrets. If you're into crafting games with a lot of exploration, Aground is a thoroughly addictive game with plenty to discover.


What we like:
  • Story is interesting and allows for a lot of exploration
  • Crafting is solid and varied
  • Mod support and community are helpful
  • Gameplay is engaging and controls are good
  • Freedom to choose which islands to visit and play at your own pace.
What could be improved:
  • Item storage can be tedious and requiring a lot of trips
  • Low-resolution graphics may take some getting used to
  • Lack of personal relationships with NPCs
  • Basic tutorial and sometimes requires use of outside resources for guidance.

  • survival
  • crafting
  • dragon
  • mining
  • open-world
  • base-building
  • city-building
  • building
  • post-apocalyptic
  • exploration
  • sandbox
  • 2d
  • choices
  • management
  • story

2

Mr. Prepper (2021)

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90
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Mac OS Xbox One Playstation 4 PC Windows

In Mr. Prepper, you must build an underground shelter, craft machines, and explore atmospheric locations to survive in a world controlled by an authoritarian government. Will you help Mr. Prepper defy the government and stay alive? This thrilling survival game offers an interesting prepper/survival concept, with a decent variety of items to build and explore. The game will keep you on edge with the slight stress of coming under inspection, all while providing a relaxing experience. Craft, trade, explore, and scavenge your way to success!


What we like:
  • Interesting prepper/survival concept
  • Decent variety of stuff to build
  • Slight stress of coming under inspection
  • Fun exploring the map
  • Relaxing game
What could be improved:
  • Building/crafting loop is low-impact
  • Short replay value
  • UI improvements needed
  • Lots of grinding

  • survival
  • crafting
  • resource-management
  • simulation
  • base-building
  • underground
  • life
  • 2.5d
  • atmospheric
  • management
  • point-and-click
  • economy

3

Hammerting (2021)

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62
Review score
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PC Windows

Hammerting is a game about Dwarves living in a mountain cave, where players create and manage complex supply chains to arm their allies on the overworld and defeat their common enemy. The game involves turning the cubic chaos of mountainsides into a work of order and efficiency through investing in the Dwarves' well-being and building proper infrastructure. The game's RPG-lite elements give players a sense of wonder in exploring the deeper reaches of the mountain. However, the game suffers from AI tendencies that make it difficult to maintain long supply chains and careful resource management. Hammerting lacks the polish to grease the wheels of its impressive management hybrid, but it's worth playing for gamers who want something new and unusual.


What we like:
  • Variety of skills and buildings to master
  • Solid writing and interesting stories
  • Procedurally generated maps
  • Good dwarven society-building mechanic
  • Unique and unusual gameplay mechanic
What could be improved:
  • Difficulty in managing resources
  • Frustrating AI
  • Lackluster overworld missions
  • Poor optimization
  • Needs more fine-tuning

  • management
  • crafting
  • simulation
  • colony
  • resource-management
  • mining
  • automation
  • base-building
  • economy
  • lore
  • colony-building
  • exploration
  • building
  • inventory
  • procedural

4

The Genesis Project (2022)

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95
Review score
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early access PC Windows Linux Mac OS

The Genesis Project is an attempt to replicate Sburb from the popular webcomic Homestuck, made by Andrew Hussie.

Buy

  • rpg
  • party
  • memes
  • base-building
  • building
  • dungeon-crawler
  • action-adventure
  • character
  • 3d
  • tag
  • exploration
  • customization
  • crafting
  • management
  • fantasy

5

Robin Hood - Sherwood Builders (2024)

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76
Review score
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j Playstation 5 PC Windows Xbox Series X Xbox One

Robin Hood - Sherwood Builders is an action-adventure RPG with base-building elements, where you take on the role of a classic hero who stands up to the tyranny and injustice that haunts Sherwood. Fight, craft, steal, and of course help the local people grow and prosper.


  • base-building
  • medieval
  • archery
  • nonlinear
  • open-world
  • rpg
  • action-adventure
  • nature
  • building
  • management
  • exploration
  • crafting
  • third-person
  • 3d
  • survival

6

Chocolate Factory (2024)

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ND
Review score
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xbox PC Windows ps2 gamecube Game Boy Advanced (GBA)

Build your dream Chocolate Factory among candy cane forests and gumdrop hills to produce the tastiest sweets. A delicious first-person factory automation game with a little exploration and combat. Confectionary conveyor belt heaven awaits!


  • automation
  • crafting
  • open-world
  • base-building
  • survival
  • resource-management
  • building
  • city-building
  • management
  • exploration
  • first-person
  • sandbox

7

Vosphia (2023)

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65
Review score
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PC Windows

Vosphia is a single-player RPG set in a medieval fantasy world. Explore the vast world of Vosphia and meet dangerous enemies to fight, build your own personalized base, craft and equip customized items, and create your own story in the world of Vosphia!

Buy

  • magic
  • base-building
  • medieval
  • pve
  • action-adventure
  • open-world
  • fantasy
  • crafting
  • survival
  • rpg
  • inventory
  • third-person
  • management
  • 3d
  • exploration

8

Techtonica (2024)

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66
Review score
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Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Xbox One PC Windows j

Techtonica is a first-person factory automation game with a gripping mystery about mining your way out from the depths of an alien planet. Explore bioluminescent caves, mold destructible terrain, construct a massive subterranean factory. Dig your way toward answers & discover the secrets of Calyx.

Buy

  • automation
  • base-building
  • city-building
  • building
  • resource-management
  • simulation
  • crafting
  • cooperative
  • immersive
  • sandbox
  • management
  • exploration
  • sci-fi
  • colourful

9

Ascent of Ashes (2025)

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ND
Review score
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PC Windows

A colony sim set in a post-apocalyptic dystopia. Build and defend your base. Manage your survivors. Engage raiders, aliens, Remnant soldiers and other factions in real-time-with-pause combat. Or use stealth to outwit them. Explore the massive world. Survive at all costs


  • simulation
  • colony
  • base-building
  • city-building
  • immersive
  • humor
  • survival
  • building
  • crafting
  • management
  • exploration
  • party
  • strategy
  • real-time
  • character

10

Force of Nature 2: Ghost Keeper (2021)

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81
Review score
Logo of Force of Nature 2: Ghost Keeper Screenshot of Force of Nature 2: Ghost Keeper Screenshot of Force of Nature 2: Ghost Keeper Screenshot of Force of Nature 2: Ghost Keeper

PC Windows

Force of Nature 2: Ghost Keeper offers incredible adventures full of mystery, danger, exploration and magic. This game combines the genres of Survival, Sandbox, Action, Adventure, RPG, Strategy and Resource Management


  • crafting
  • survival
  • open-world
  • base-building
  • fantasy
  • building
  • character
  • sandbox
  • magic
  • dark
  • customization
  • rpg
  • exploration
  • management
  • story

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