Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (2024)

Triple-A Games

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (1)

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (2)

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (3)

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (4)

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (5)

By Alfredo Robelo , Jouanna Bondakji , Jacob Whaling , Ben Jessey & Sam Hallahan

Updated

Thread

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Manage Your List

Follow

Followed

Follow with Notifications

Follow

Unfollow

Link copied to clipboard

Triple-A Games

Related

Skyrim: The 20 Best PS4 Mods, Ranked
8 Best Open World Games Where You Travel In A Party
13 Open-World Games With The Best Storylines
Sign in to your TheGamer account
Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (9)

Key Takeaways

  • More RPGs are incorporating life-simulation elements, allowing players to immerse themselves in building shelters.
  • Games like Voxel Turf and Kingdom Come provide unique opportunities for players to build structures and manage communities.
  • Options for house building span various genres, from survival games like Valheim to MMORPGs like Palworld and Gothic titles like V Rising.

Life-simulation video games tend to cross the line between fun and work, which has definitely divided gamers. However, more RPGs over the years have been implementing simulation-style elements to further immerse players into the game, while also not alienating players who aren’t quite into the slow-burn satisfaction and fun of something like Animal Crossing.

Related

The Best Open World Games On The Nintendo Switch

Explore exciting and vast new horizons with some of the best open-world games on the Nintendo Switch.

1

These elements have expanded over the years, and one of the most popular implementations of life management in video games has boiled down to building a shelter for your character. Many games allow you to choose a house, but some take it a few steps further and include tools for you to manually build walls, a roof, accessories, and manage the size of it all. Building your own house in a video game is like having a second vacation home that you can disappear to at any time.

Updated on October 24, 2024, by Alfredo Robelo: Creating your own living space continues to be a staple of the open-world genre, both for practical and fashionable reasons. We've updated this article to include even more games where you can make your humble (or not so humble) abode.

Green Hell

Survive In The Depths Of The Jungle

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (11)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Green Hell
Platform(s)
Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S

Released
September 5, 2019

Developer(s)
Creepy Jar

Publisher(s)
Creepy Jar

Green Hell is a survival game set in the Amazon rainforest where building a house is a matter of life or death. You must gather resources, craft shelter, and protect yourself from harsh environmental conditions and dangerous wildlife.

The game’s building system allows for constructing shelters and fortifications, which are crucial for surviving the game’s brutal world. What sets Green Hell apart is its realistic take on survival, with hunger, hydration, and health management adding depth to the house-building experience.

V Rising

Build A Gothic Castle

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (12)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

V Rising
Platform(s)
PC

Released
May 17, 2022

Developer(s)
Stunlock Studios

Publisher(s)
Stunlock Studios

V Rising combines open-world exploration with house building in a Gothic, vampire-themed setting. As a vampire, you can construct and upgrade your castles, which serve as both homes and strongholds, particularly when engaging in PvP.

The building mechanics are extensive, allowing for customization and expansion as you gather resources and dominate territories. The game’s dark, atmospheric world is filled with opportunities for exploration and combat, but building and maintaining your castle remains a key part of progression, hence why you can easily move it to new biomes.

Palworld

Capture Creatures As You Build Your Dream Home

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (13)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

6.5/10

Palworld
Platform(s)
PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X

Released
January 19, 2024

Developer(s)
Pocket Pair, Inc.

Publisher(s)
Pocket Pair, Inc.

Palworld is a colorful, open-world game that blends creature collection with house building. You can explore vast landscapes, capture various creatures known as 'Pals,' and build homes, farms, or even entire villages.

Related

31 Best Open-World Games On Steam

Explore these delectable open-world selections on Steam and prepare for the greatest stories and adventures ever told.

The game offers creative freedom, allowing you to craft yourdream base, while also engaging in survival elements like farming, battling enemies, and managing resources. Palworld stands out for its mix of creature-based gameplay and house-building mechanics, offering a vibrant and fun open-world experience with a focus on creativity.

Voxel Turf

Be A Criminal And An Architect

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (15)

Voxel Turf isn't just an open-world game that happens to have city-building in it; it's a game specifically dedicated to building things in an open world. You get a plethora of different structures and decorations to make your own buildings. The game also has some crime elements baked into it, so you can rob establishments, beat up cops, and blow stuff up, just to name a few.

But you're not alone in your building. There are others whom you can either negotiate with or straight-up destroy for more power and expanded territory. To top it off, Voxel Turf supports multiplayer, so you can play with (or against) your friends. Help each other build stuff and commit crimes, or compete to see who can build the best stuff.

Rimworld

Build Your Own Community

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

RimWorld
Platform(s)
PC, PS4, Xbox One

Released
October 17, 2018

Developer(s)
Ludeon Studios

Publisher(s)
Ludeon Studios

If you don't mind seeing things from a top-down perspective, the popular open-world colony simulator Rimworld won't leave you to build a place to live on your own; you'll have an army of colonists to help you.

Aside from having to worry about little things like feeding your colonists, caring for your pets, defending against raiders, and having the resources necessary for construction, the world is your oyster. You can carve into a mountain and make a gloomy fortress, build in open grasslands, or wherever else your heart desires.

Raft

Raft To Riches

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (17)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Raft
Platform(s)
PC

Released
June 20, 2022

Developer(s)
Redbeet Interactive

Publisher(s)
Axolot Games

If you want to break from the norm of building houses on land and instead feel the gentle ocean breeze on your skin from the comfort of your own home, Raft is the game for you. As you gather scrap wood, plastics, and other materials, you'll be able to slowly expand your humble raft into a proper houseboat.

Just, do mind the sharks, will you? Somewhat similar to a teething toddler, sharks like to test out their chompers on whatever they can get their teeth on, including you and the outer wooden platforms of your lovely, floating home.

Satisfactory

A Sci-Fi Twist On House-building

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (18)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Satisfactory
Platform(s)
PC

Released
September 10, 2024

Developer(s)
Coffee Stain Studios

Publisher(s)
Coffee Stain Publishing

It's the Industrial Revolution all over again, except this time, it's in space on a recently discovered planet. Sure, you've got resources to extract for your corporate overlords and a planet to explore, but in your free time, why not make a place to call home?

There might be conveyor belts twisting and turning all around or even in your home, but that's just an extra bit of character and charm, right? Satisfactory also has multiplayer co-op, so your friends can help out with the building process if you like.

7 Days To Die

Don't Worry About The Zombies

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (19)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

7 Days to Die
Platform(s)
Linux, macOS, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One

Released
December 13, 2013

Developer(s)
The Fun Pimps
Publisher(s)
Telltale Games

Contrary to its title, 7 Days To Die is all about survival. Starvation, thirst, illness, the weather, and the zombie horde are all things that are threatening to kill you. And one of the best ways to keep the zombies and the elements at bay is to build a house.

Related

24 Best Looking Open-World Games, Ranked

Open-world games provide a great experience for players who just want to explore and see what's out there. These ones look the best!

You get complete freedom to build any structure you want from the resources you find. Most of these buildings end up looking like a mix between a base and a house. 7 Days To Die's freedom to build whatever you want allows you to get immersed in the experience.

My Time At Portia

Cozy Houseflipping

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (21)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

My Time at Portia
Platform(s)
Android, iOS, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One

Released
January 15, 2019

Developer(s)
Pathea Games
Publisher(s)
Team17, Nuverse

My Time At Portia is a wholesome simulation RPG. The basic premise is you're a builder who has reopened your father's old workshop in Portia. You spend the game building all sorts of contraptions and making money from them.

You can also spend time building up your house - which is also the workshop. It starts as a pretty rundown place with holes in the walls and floor. Plus, all it contains on day one is a bed. Over time, you can decorate the interior as well as upgrade the size of the building.

Kenshi

Start From Zero, Get To 100

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (22)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Kenshi
Platform(s)
PC

Released
December 6, 2018

Developer
Lo-Fi Games

Publisher
Lo-Fi Games

Kenshi, developed by Lo-Fi Games, is an open-world squad RPG with some RTS elements. Perhaps the main selling point of the game is the amount of freedom you're given to do what you want.

One of the things to do is acquire buildings of all kinds, including houses. In many cases, you'll buy an establishment and maybe make some alterations. But you can also purchase a ruined building and erect it from the ground up. Eventually, you can expand this house into a town as you recruit more allies.

The Sims 4

Play The Game For Build-And-Buy

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (23)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

The Sims 4
Platform(s)
PC, PS4, Xbox One

Released
September 2, 2014

Developer(s)
Maxis
Publisher(s)
Electronic Arts

Gaming's most renowned life-sim allows you to build a house to incredible levels of detail. In The Sims, every wall, color, and piece of furniture is your own choice.

With newer expansions and items being added frequently, it makes sense to have it as a game you can turn to when you just want to build. Whether it be a modern apartment, cottagecore, or a simple suburban home, you can get lost for hours in creating numerous living spaces. There's even a Dream Home Decorator expansion that gives you even more room for customization.

Skyrim

Expand Your Land

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (24)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Skyrim
Platform(s)
PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox One X, Xbox Series S, PS4, PS5, Switch

Released
November 11, 2011
Developer(s)
Bethesda
Publisher(s)
Bethesda

Few open-world games have made as much impact in the last decade as Skyrim. There are dungeons, there are dragons, and there's some good old-fashioned house planning.

Related

Skyrim: The 20 Best PS4 Mods, Ranked

Exploring Skyrim is already good, but these mods take it to the next level.

Introduced with the Hearthfire DLC back in 2012, and since included with the Legendary Edition and Special Editions of Skyrim, this pack will let you build away. In the main game, you could buy a house, sure, but in Hearthfire you can purchase land - with three different options - and then begin to build your house, bit by bit.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance - From The Ashes

Worthwhile DLC

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (26)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Platform(s)
PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch

Released
February 13, 2018

Developer(s)
Warhorse Studios
Publisher(s)
Deep Silver

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a fantastic game created by Warhorse Studios in which you play a simple peasant man named Henry. Along his journey, he will need to adapt to the harsh conditions of medieval life in a war-torn land. Now, with the From The Ashes DLC, he can add building a settlement to his responsibilities.

In this expansion, which integrates itself into the main story, Henry is given lordship and the task of restoring an old settlement in a forest. This will be no easy feat, as you must gather resources, money, and take on varying tasks in order to make progress - but what satisfying progress it is.

Conan Exiles

Build, Defend, Survive

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (27)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Conan Exiles
Platform(s)
PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S

Released
May 8, 2018

Developer(s)
Funcom

Publisher(s)
Funcom

The game that lets modern players take control of the legendary hero Conan the Barbarian didn’t have the highest of expectations upon release, but players (and fans of Conan) were pleasantly surprised to see that Conan Exiles is an enjoyable and functional survival game that stepped away from mindless combat.

Instead, the game focused more on item management and creating your very own houses to survive the nights and the harsh conditions. As an MMO, you'll also need to worry about defending your new home from other players.

Fallout 4

A Healthy House-building Challenge

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (28)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Fallout 4
Platform(s)
PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S

Released
November 10, 2015
Developer(s)
Bethesda
Publisher(s)
Bethesda

It was a shock that a series that focused on survival in a post-apocalyptic setting took so long to implement house creation as an integral feature, but Fallout 4 was the one to finally make the jump.

Not only can you put your entire house together, but you have the ability to create an entire town to defend from hostiles and have a thriving economy, despite the circumstances. It’s a lot of fun to manage a town alongside your normal missions, but it’s a nightmare when you lose your home to attackers.

Subnautica

Take Shelter From The Horrors

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (29)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Subnautica
Platform(s)
Xbox One, PS4

Released
January 23, 2018

Developer(s)
Unknown Worlds Entertainment

Publisher(s)
Gearbox Publishing

Taking things below the sea, Subnautica has you trying to survive on an alien, ocean planet after your ship went down in a tragic event. By exploring this planet, you'll gain new technology and resources to help you survive.

Related

8 Best Open World Games Where You Travel In A Party

Sometimes it's better to explore a vast, open world with a few close friends, rather than go at it alone.

The completely underwater setting is unique for a survival game, and exploring the dark depths with your craft is enthralling. You can create your very own submerged home under the water (as long as there is sufficient access to oxygen) and can branch it out into a fully-fledged water base to figure out the next move.

No Man’s Sky

Customizable Space Bases

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (31)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (32)

4.0/5

9.6/10

No Man's Sky
Platform(s)
PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC

Released
August 9, 2016
Developer(s)
Hello Games
Publisher(s)
Hello Games

While it wasn’t well-received at launch due to overwhelming hype and expectations, No Man’s Sky has vastly improved in the years since its initial release. With the Next update, No Man’s Sky has become the quintessential space exploration game, with endless galaxies to explore.

With as many planets as No Man’s Sky gives you access to, just as many brand new homes can be created on each one. You can place all of the walls and accessories to create your perfect base of operations where you can relax, or just provide shelter from the harsh conditions on foreign planets.

The Forest

Can Shelters Save You?

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (33)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

The Forest
Platform(s)
PC, PS4

Released
April 30, 2018

Developer(s)
Endnight Games

Publisher(s)
Endnight Games

A survival horror game in every sense of the genre, The Forest finds you taking control of a plane crash survivor, as they search for their missing son. You must take shelter and craft weaponry to survive against the elements and potential dangerous cannibals that inhabit the forested area.

You can create the best shelters for your specific needs, but you may not get a chance to get cozy, as you will need to constantly move forward in order to save the lost son. The Forest is a thrilling game, and no amount of comfy forest homes could prepare you for the experience.

Ark: Survival Evolved

Protect Yourself From The Dinosaurs

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (34)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

ARK: Survival Evolved
Platform(s)
Linux, macOS, PC, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, Switch, iOS, Android

Released
August 29, 2017

Developer(s)
Studio Wildcard

Publisher(s)
Studio Wildcard

What feels like a spiritual successor to the Turok series, Ark: Survival Evolved has garnered a bit of a cult following despite its lukewarm reviews. You are tossed onto an island full of dinosaurs (both real dinosaurs and imaginary creatures) and have to make a stable house to brave the terrors.

You can team up in multiplayer and figure out how to survive these hulking beasts, and a well-functioning tribe can easily create a protected house that will be the talk of the prehistoric town.

Don’t Starve

House-building: Humble Version

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (35)

Your Rating

Rate Now

0/10

Your comment has not been saved

Don't Starve
Platform(s)
Switch, Android, PS4, iOS

Released
April 23, 2013

Developer(s)
Klei Entertainment

Publisher(s)
Klei Entertainment

Don’t Starve is a brilliantly animated adventure that pits you against the elements. The title is quite literal, as you are dropped in randomly generated open-worlds to survive for as many days as possible.

Related

13 Open-World Games With The Best Storylines

Exploring a huge, sprawling world full of creatures and people never gets old. But these 12 games also offer incredible stories, too.

You can create your very own house if you spend time gathering the proper materials, and makes not starving a little more realistic. The expansion Don’t Starve Together adds a co-op mode and makes it easier and less lonely out in the wilderness. The game can be nasty to any newcomer, but a good home can go a long way.

  • Triple-A Games

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Manage Your List

Follow

Followed

Follow with Notifications

Follow

Unfollow

Best Open-World Games Where You Can Build A House (2024)
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Virgilio Hermann JD

Last Updated:

Views: 5387

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Virgilio Hermann JD

Birthday: 1997-12-21

Address: 6946 Schoen Cove, Sipesshire, MO 55944

Phone: +3763365785260

Job: Accounting Engineer

Hobby: Web surfing, Rafting, Dowsing, Stand-up comedy, Ghost hunting, Swimming, Amateur radio

Introduction: My name is Virgilio Hermann JD, I am a fine, gifted, beautiful, encouraging, kind, talented, zealous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.