Best Games Like Enshrouded: Build, Explore, Survive
For players who love Enshrouded’s blend of free-form building, open-world exploration, and co-op survival, the top pick is Valheim. It nails the same core loop—gather, build, explore, fight—with a beautifully atmospheric world and seamless 10-player co-op. While its building is more Viking-styled than Enshrouded’s voxel freedom, the sense of adventure and shared progress is unmatched.
What to Look For
When choosing a game like Enshrouded, focus on these criteria:
- Building depth: Does it allow free-form construction (voxel or block-based) or just snap-together pieces? Enshrouded’s voxel system lets you carve terrain and build anywhere, so look for games that offer similar flexibility.
- Exploration & world design: A large, hand-crafted or procedurally generated world with secrets, dungeons, and varied biomes is essential. Enshrouded’s map is dense with verticality, so consider games that reward climbing and gliding.
- Co-op support: How many players can join? Is it seamless drop-in/drop-out or server-based? Enshrouded supports up to 16 players on dedicated servers, but 4–10 is typical for most co-op survival games.
- Survival mechanics: Are hunger, temperature, and crafting meaningful without being tedious? Enshrouded is forgiving, so if you prefer a harsher challenge, note that some games are more punishing.
- Combat & progression: Is combat skill-based or stat-based? Enshrouded has a classless skill tree; look for games that offer similar build variety.
- Performance & polish: Early access games vary in stability. Check current patch status and community feedback.
Valheim
Strengths: Valheim is the gold standard for co-op survival-exploration. Its building system uses snap-points but allows incredible creativity—you can raise the terrain, dig moats, and construct massive longhouses. The world is procedurally generated but hand-tuned, with distinct biomes (Meadows, Black Forest, Swamp, Mountains, Plains) each offering new resources and bosses. Co-op is seamless for up to 10 players, and the progression is tied to boss kills, which encourages group expeditions.
Trade-offs: Building is not voxel-based, so you can’t carve into cliffs like in Enshrouded. Combat is simpler (mostly melee and bows), and the survival mechanics (hunger, rested bonus) are lighter. The game is still in early access, though it’s highly polished.
Who it suits: Best for players who want a large, atmospheric world with a strong sense of shared adventure and don’t need voxel terrain editing.
Grounded
Strengths: Grounded sets you as shrunken survivors in a backyard, and its building system is surprisingly deep—you can construct bases on and around objects, with full 3D freedom. Exploration is vertical and dense, with a hand-crafted map full of hidden labs, bug colonies, and story beats. Co-op supports up to 4 players, and the survival mechanics (thirst, hunger, health) are well-balanced. The art style is charming, but the combat is more challenging than Enshrouded’s.
Trade-offs: The setting is limited to a single backyard, which may feel less epic than a fantasy world. Building is not voxel, but it is flexible. The game is complete (1.0), so no more content updates, but it’s fully polished.
Who it suits: Perfect for small groups (2–4) who enjoy a whimsical yet dangerous world and want a more narrative-driven survival experience.
7 Days to Die
Strengths: This is the ultimate zombie survival-builder. The voxel-based building is very close to Enshrouded’s—you can dig, shape terrain, and create massive fortifications. Exploration is vast (procedural maps) with towns, cities, and POIs to loot. Co-op supports up to 8 players (more with mods), and the survival mechanics are deep: hunger, thirst, temperature, and a day-night cycle with horde nights that force you to build defenses. The crafting and skill progression are extensive.
Trade-offs: The graphics are dated, and the UI can be clunky. The learning curve is steeper, and the game is more punishing (especially at night). It’s been in early access for years, but it’s stable and actively updated.
Who it suits: Best for players who want a more hardcore survival challenge with deep base-building and don’t mind a less polished presentation.
Icarus
Strengths: Icarus offers a unique twist: missions on an alien planet with a time limit, but you can also play in open-world mode. Building is modular but flexible, with a good variety of pieces. Exploration is gorgeous, with diverse biomes and weather effects that actually impact gameplay (storms, wind, heat). Co-op supports up to 8 players, and the survival mechanics (oxygen, food, water, temperature) are meaningful. The tech tree is deep, allowing for advanced automation.
Trade-offs: The mission-based structure can feel restrictive if you prefer endless sandbox. Building is not voxel, and the game’s performance can be demanding. The learning curve is steep, with many systems to master.
Who it suits: Ideal for players who enjoy a sci-fi setting and want a survival game with a clear objective structure, plus the option for open-world play.
Raft
Strengths: Raft is a co-op survival game where you build on a floating raft in an endless ocean. The building is modular but allows for creative expansion—you can create multi-story structures, gardens, and even engines. Exploration is tied to visiting islands, both small and large (including story locations). Co-op supports up to 8 players, and the survival mechanics (thirst, hunger, shark attacks) are simple but engaging. The sense of progression is satisfying, and the game is fully released.
Trade-offs: The world is mostly water, so exploration is less varied than Enshrouded’s land-based map. Building is limited to the raft’s grid, not free-form. Combat is minimal.
Who it suits: Great for casual groups who want a more relaxed, yet still engaging, co-op survival experience with a unique premise.
V Rising
Strengths: V Rising is a vampire survival ARPG that blends base-building with combat. You build your castle using a snap-based system that allows for impressive gothic architecture. Exploration is vast, with a hand-crafted world full of enemies, bosses, and lore. Co-op supports up to 4 players (or more on private servers), and the progression is tied to defeating bosses to unlock new abilities and building pieces. The survival mechanics (blood type, sun exposure) are unique and add a strategic layer.
Trade-offs: Building is not as free-form as Enshrouded’s voxel system, and the game is more combat-focused than building-focused. The world is darker and more somber. It’s fully released, so no more content updates, but it’s polished.
Who it suits: Best for players who want a stylish, combat-heavy survival game with a strong base-building component and don’t mind a gothic aesthetic.
How to Choose
Start with your group size. If you have 5–10 players, Valheim is the best fit; for 4 or fewer, Grounded or V Rising are excellent. Next, consider building style: if you must carve terrain, choose 7 Days to Die or Enshrouded itself; if snap-building is fine, Valheim or V Rising work. For exploration, Valheim and Grounded offer the most hand-crafted secrets, while 7 Days and Icarus are more procedural. Budget-wise, all are under $30, but Valheim and Grounded often go on sale. Also, check whether your PC can handle the game—Icarus and Grounded are more demanding, while Raft and Valheim run on modest hardware. Finally, think about the vibe: fantasy (Valheim), sci-fi (Icarus), horror (7 Days), whimsy (Grounded), or gothic (V Rising).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play these games solo?
Yes, all of them are playable solo, but the difficulty and fun scale with co-op. Valheim and Grounded are great solo, while 7 Days and Icarus can be brutal alone.
Which game is most like Enshrouded’s building?
7 Days to Die is the closest in terms of voxel terrain manipulation. Valheim and Grounded offer flexible building but not terrain carving.
Do these games have dedicated servers?
Valheim, Icarus, and 7 Days support dedicated servers. Grounded and Raft use player-hosted co-op, which is fine for small groups.
Are any of these games fully released?
Grounded, Raft, and V Rising are 1.0. Valheim, 7 Days, and Icarus are in early access but very stable.
Which game has the most content?
Valheim and 7 Days have the most content due to years of updates. Grounded is shorter but complete.
Can I mod these games?
Valheim and 7 Days have strong modding communities. Grounded and Raft have limited mod support.
Bottom Line
For the closest overall experience to Enshrouded—building, exploration, and co-op—Valheim is the top choice. It offers a vast world, seamless co-op, and deep building, even if it lacks voxel terrain editing. If that terrain carving is a must, 7 Days to Die is your fallback. For smaller groups wanting a polished, complete game, Grounded is a fantastic pick. Ultimately, your choice depends on group size, building style, and setting preference—but any of these will satisfy your Enshrouded craving.
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