Many of you already know what is a sandbox video game but many of you may get confused with the term so I will say it: a sandbox video game is a video game with elements that allow you to have more creativity to interact with.
Usually sandbox games are associated with the open world concept and that is one of the reasons why it is called “sandbox”; the term is derived from a sandbox where children create nearly anything they want to create. Today we are going to choose the best sandbox video games ever made so let’s begin.
10. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Metal Gear Solid 5 being a sandbox game is a topic that gets debated very often but they literally drop you into an environment where you can create any kind of chaos you want so; it is a sandbox.
The game still has the same espionage, the same action and the same weird robot stuff present in all MGSs but this time, you can choose where you want to go, what do you want to do, and also how they want to do it; they can go full Rambo and shoot everybody or going stealth mode.
9. The Sims 4
The Sims is one of the most beloved and well-known video games franchises ever made so there is nothing I can tell you that you don’t know. This juggernaut of a franchise is one of the most popular sandbox franchises still running.
The Sims 4 is the most complete entry in the series and despite going free-to-play, the video game has a lot of DLCs that can make the video game even more immersive than before. You create the characters; you give them the life you think is the best for them and more; you are basically their god in this game.
8. Hitman 3
Ok, this may be a little bit controversial because the Hitman series is not a complete is not totally open-world. But within the maps you play, you have a world you still can conquer. You can take Agent 47 everywhere in the map and do almost anything because there is no time limit and also there are multiple ways you can choose from to kill you targets.
2021’s Hitman 3 is widely considered by critics as the best entry in the series and also one of the best stealth video games of all time, so you can’t go wrong with this one.
7. Sleeping Dogs
Sleeping Dogs is a game that nobody imagined that would be so interesting and good. The game emerged from the True Crime’s ashes and gave us one of the most compelling and amazing police stories in video games.
Set in contemporary Hong Kong, Sleeping Dogs follows the steps of undercover police officer Wei Shen who infiltrates the Sun On Yee Triad organization in order to destroy it. The game will make you remember some of John Woo’s films and it doesn’t waste time in letting you know that this will be a crazy and unique ride.
6. Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
While some consider Assassin’s Creed 2 the best entry in the series, Black Flag is the most immersive one, and if you like Pirate stories then you will enjoy it even more. 2013’s Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag was way better than I expected; you can hunt sea creatures, search for animus fragments, you can go from island to island, attack other pirate ships, or even just explore the ocean.
You can even modify your pirate ship to make it even better and more powerful than other ships. Seriously, an amazing video game that every pirate fan will love.
5. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is probably the most immersive video game I have ever played because with mods you can do practically everything you could imagine. While the original Skyrim was released back in 2011, the Special Edition is widely considered the best version of the game. Skyrim has its main storyline, but you have more than 50 side quests that will make the story and the game even more fascinating.
Also, you have a wide world that you can freely explore; once you finish creating your character, the rest is up to you.
4. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
While Grand Theft Auto V is the most awaited and most anticipated video game ever released until now, no other sandbox video game was so groundbreaking as the universally acclaimed Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Widely considered the best Grand Theft Auto entry in the series by critics and gamers; 2004’s San Andreas was way too ahead of its time because it was the first video game that made you feel that the world was completely yours and gave you more freedom than you ever expected.
The characters, the missions, the map, the soundtrack, the “HESOYAM”; everything about this game is perfect.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
I seriously would like to talk about Tears of the Kingdom but I haven’t played it yet, but I do have played Breath of the Wild and is a game so good that left me speechless.
Breath of the Wild is a game that reinvented the open-world concept with perfect execution and design that can be played by people of all ages because is perfect for everybody. This Legend of Zelda game is about creative thinking and a lot of exploration, it changes a little bit the Zelda’s DNA but not in a bad way, in fact, is considered one of the best Zelda games ever created.
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
One of the things I like the most about Red Dead Redemption 2 is that makes everyone who plays the game happy. Rockstar Games’ magnum opus is a game that everybody has to play even if you are not fan of a sandbox and open-world video game because the story presented in this video game is one of the best of all time.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a game where every decision matter and that is something that makes the story more engaging than normal. This game is beautiful, and universally lauded as one of the best video games ever created.
1. Minecraft
This is something that may be debated but let’s be honest guys; there is no better sandbox game than Minecraft, you can do whatever you want in here for hours without worrying about missions or quests. Even if you don’t like Minecraft, which is both respectable and acceptable, you have to admit that this game revolutionized the 2010s and changed the way we see video games.
Playing Minecraft with the boys is one of the best experiences you could ever have because there is so much freedom in this game. Minecraft is a game that will be remembered forever as the greatest sandbox game of all time.
