11 Sandbox games like State of Decay 2 that you should try

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We filtered the 50 games similar to State of Decay 2 down to the 11 that fit the “Sandbox” category. State of Decay, Dead Rising 4 and Once Human top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to State of Decay 2.

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GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

The best sandbox games like State of Decay 2

11 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to State of Decay 2. Each one has been evaluated across 19 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1State of Decay

iRank82

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMultiplayerMeleeDarkOpen WorldSandbox WorldHorrorPost-ApocalypticExplorationBase BuildingThird Person

Steam👍 85%· 17KIGDB75· 7

Year 2013Dev Undead Labs · Microsoft StudiosOn PC

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, survival mechanics and deep simulation

≠ Stands apart with shooter, third-person shooting and adventure storytelling, while skipping roguelike runs

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOnlineMeleeDarkOpen WorldSandbox WorldHorrorExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 57%· 8.3KIGDB77· 19OC72· 111

Year 2016Dev Capcom Game Studio Vancouver, Inc. · CapcomOn PC · Xbox

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with action RPG combat, shooter and third-person shooting, while skipping deep simulation

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOnlineSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 78%· 173KIGDB85· 2OC74· 16

Year 2024Dev Starry StudioOn Xbox · Android · PC

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, deep simulation and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, shooter and third-person shooting, while skipping horror tension

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOnlineMeleeDarkSandbox WorldOpen WorldHorrorExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 78%· 8.7KIGDB81· 9

Year 2010Dev Blue Castle Games · CapcomOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · Linux

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings action RPG combat, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus, while skipping deep simulation

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMultiplayerMeleeDarkOpen WorldSandbox WorldHorrorExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 77%· 16KIGDB77· 10

Year 2012Dev Radical Entertainment · ActivisionOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · PC

✓ Same family of third-person Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, sandbox freedom and survival mechanics

≠ Where it differs: brings action RPG combat, adventure storytelling and precision platforming, while skipping deep simulation

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOnlineMeleeOpen WorldSandbox WorldExplorationBase BuildingThird Person

Steam👍 86%· 101KOC77· 20

Year 2024Dev Keen GamesOn Xbox · PC · PS5

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat, adventure storytelling and fantasy world, while skipping deep simulation

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

IGDB80· 6

Year 2010Dev Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios · SegaOn PlayStation 3

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with action RPG combat, sports simulation and adventure storytelling, while skipping survival mechanics

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#8Dead Rising 2: Off the Record

iRank69

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

Co-opSoloMultiplayerOnlineMeleeDarkOpen WorldSandbox WorldHorrorExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 77%· 4.2KRAWG👍 62%· 165MC66IGDB65· 9

Year 2011Dev Capcom U.S.A · CapcomPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, sandbox freedom and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Stands apart with action RPG combat, adventure storytelling and crafting mechanics, while skipping survival mechanics

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#9LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2

iRank80

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

MultiplayerSoloCo-opMeleeOpen WorldSandbox WorldExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 86%· 9.9KIGDB74· 13OC73· 91

Year 2017Dev Traveller's Tales · WB GamesOn PS4 · PC · Mac

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, sandbox freedom and open world exploration

≠ Where it differs: brings action RPG combat, adventure storytelling and puzzle design, while skipping survival mechanics

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#10Monster Hunter Tri

iRank83

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMultiplayerMeleeSandbox WorldExplorationThird Person

IGDB83· 4

Year 2009Dev Capcom Production Studio 1 · Capcom

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Stands apart with action RPG combat and offline, while skipping survival mechanics

Details →

#11Gravity Rush

iRank82

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

IGDB82· 7

Year 2012Dev SCE Japan Studio · Sony Computer Entertainment

✓ Same family of third-person Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, while skipping survival mechanics

Details →

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