Top 10 Open World Games with Base Building

Open world games with base building are the perfect blend for gamers who love exploration and creativity. These games offer vast landscapes to discover and the freedom to construct anything from a rudimentary shelter to a grand fortress. If you’re a strategic mind looking to immerse yourself in a world where your creativity can run wild, look no further. We've compiled a list of the top open world games featuring base building, combining the thrill of exploration with the satisfaction of creation.

Exploring the Best Open World Games with Base Building

In the realm of video games, there's something uniquely satisfying about crafting a space of your own in the vastness of an open world. This article delves into the top open world games that allow you to do just that. Whether you’re fighting for survival, conquering unknown territories, or simply seeking a spot to call your own, these games offer unparalleled opportunities for base building. Let’s embark on a journey into these worlds where your creativity and survival skills are your greatest assets.

List of Top Choices

• Conan Exiles (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
• Rust (PC, Xbox One)
• Valheim (PC)
• 7 Days to Die (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
• Terraria (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Mobile)
• Subnautica (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch)
• Fallout 4 (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
• Ark: Survival Evolved (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Mobile)
• Minecraft (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Mobile)
• The Forest (PC, PS4)

Conan Exiles (PC, PS4, Xbox One)

• Robust building system allowing for complex structures
• Harsh survival mechanics deepen the need for strategic base placement
• Inspired by the rich lore of Robert E. Howard’s universe

"Conan Exiles" thrusts players into a brutal and savage open world, challenging them to not only survive but to dominate. The game’s robust base-building system stands out, enabling the construction of everything from simple dwellings to complex fortresses, all while considering the strategic placement due to the game’s harsh survival mechanics. Inspired by Robert E. Howard's universe, the setting adds a layer of depth to the base-building experience, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Rust (PC, Xbox One)

• Intense player versus player (PvP) scenarios
• Focus on resource gathering and base defense
• Build a shelter to protect from other players and environmental dangers

In "Rust," players are thrown into an online world where survival is never guaranteed. Its emphasis on intense PvP scenarios means that every base built needs to be as much about defense as it is about shelter. Gathering resources during the day to fortify your base by night becomes an exhilarating routine. The constant threat from other players and the environment makes building a secure base a rewarding challenge.

Valheim (PC)

• Co-op gameplay enhances base building and survival aspects
• Beautiful procedurally generated world with Viking lore
• Diverse biomes demand strategic base placement

"Valheim" offers a captivating blend of Viking survival and base-building within a procedurally generated world. Its co-op gameplay not only enhances the survival aspects but adds a rich layer of strategy to base building. Players must choose their base’s location wisely among diverse biomes, each presenting unique challenges and resources. The game’s adherence to Viking lore and stunning environments make it an unforgettable experience.

7 Days to Die (PC, PS4, Xbox One)

• Combines first-person survival horror with base building
• Dynamic day-night cycle influences strategy
• Build and fortify against nightly undead hordes

"7 Days to Die" merges first-person survival horror with the intricacies of base building. The game’s dynamic day-night cycle dictates the pace, compelling players to use daylight hours to gather resources and strengthen their bases against the inevitable nightly undead hordes. This blend of constant threat and strategic planning places "7 Days to Die" among the most engaging open-world games with base building.

Terraria (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Mobile)

• Countless items for crafting and building
• 2D world with deep exploration and combat mechanics
• Freedom in creative expression through building

"Terraria" dives into a unique 2D sandbox experience, brimming with possibilities. With a library of items for crafting and an emphasis on exploration and combat, it blurs the lines between survival and creative play. The freedom players have in expressing themselves through elaborate structures is unmatched, offering a distinct take on the open-world, base-building genre.

Subnautica (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch)

• Unique underwater base building
• Expansive alien ocean filled with mysteries to explore
• Survival depends on crafting and base expansion

"Subnautica" stands out in the base-building genre by taking the concept deep underwater. As players explore an alien ocean, the game seamlessly blends the thrills of discovery with the necessities of survival. Crafting equipment and expanding your base to access new areas becomes as much a part of the adventure as the exploration itself. The beautifully rendered underwater world, filled with both wonder and danger, makes every base constructed a beacon of safety in a vast unknown.

Fallout 4 (PC, PS4, Xbox One)

• Post-apocalyptic world rich with opportunities for base building
• Deep customization options for settlements
• Integration of base mechanics with broader game world and story

Though "Fallout 4" may not dive as deep into base building as other titles on this list, it offers a unique take on the concept within a post-apocalyptic setting. The game provides players with significant customization options, allowing for the construction and management of settlements. These bases then integrate into the broader world and story, serving as crucial hubs for resources, companions, and narrative development. "Fallout 4" combines base building with exploration and storytelling in a way few others do.

Ark: Survival Evolved (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Mobile)

• Dinosaurs and other creatures add a thrilling dimension to survival
• Extensive base building and crafting system
• Multiplayer options create dynamic player-driven narratives

"Ark: Survival Evolved" immerses players in a vast open world teeming with dinosaurs and other primeval creatures. The thrill of taming these beasts adds a unique layer to the game's extensive base building and crafting systems. Whether opting to play solo or joining forces with others in multiplayer, the game's dynamic environment prompts players to craft robust bases for protection, research, and community. This blend of prehistoric survival with modern day creationism crafts a distinct and memorable experience.

Minecraft (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Mobile)

• Endless possibilities for base building and crafting
• Procedurally generated worlds ensure no two games are the same
• Supports solo and multiplayer modes

"Minecraft" has become synonymous with open-world creativity and exploration. Its blocky, procedurally generated worlds offer endless possibilities for base building, crafting, and adventure. Players can choose to go at it alone or collaborate with friends in multiplayer modes. The simplicity of its graphics belies the complexity and depth of its gameplay, making it a game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages. No list of open-world games with base building would be complete without mentioning this iconic title.

The Forest (PC, PS4)

• Survival horror elements add tension to base building
• Open world filled with mysteries and dangers
• Player freedom in crafting and base construction

"The Forest" blends survival horror with open-world exploration, challenging players to survive in a hostile environment after a plane crash. While crafting tools and weapons to fend off the island's mutant inhabitants, players also have the freedom to construct bases that serve as sanctuaries. The game's emphasis on player choice and the constant threat of danger make building and fortifying a base an incredibly rewarding experience. "The Forest" skillfully combines the thrill of survival with the creativity of construction.

Exploring open worlds and building bases within them offers a unique fusion of creativity, strategy, and survival that appeals to a broad spectrum of players. From the depths of the ocean to the vastness of procedurally generated worlds, each game on this list offers a unique take on base building in expansive environments. Whether you're crafting a simple shelter against the night's terrors or a sprawling fortress to showcase your architectural prowess, these games provide the canvas for your imagination and strategic skills to run wild.