Best 2D crafting survival games in 2026
Terraria and Don't Starve are the classics. Core Keeper and Forager are newer favourites. Survive It is our small 2D survival game where you can pick up and combine everything around you.
By Imersa Studios · Published · Updated
Free: start with the PSX town kit Download the free edition first and test the style in your engine before you spend anything.
Key takeaways
- Terraria is the reference for 2D sandbox crafting, with depth, bosses and a huge world.
- Don't Starve is the pick for a hard survival challenge with a hand-drawn style.
- Core Keeper and Forager are newer favourites: co-op mining in one, relaxed expansion in the other.
- Survive It is our small 2D survival game where everything can be picked up and combined, with more than 2,000 downloads on itch.io.
- Check each store page for current price and platform support before you buy.
From our studio
Survive It: 2D Crafting Survival GameA 2D open-world survival game where everything around you can be picked up and transformed: combine sticks, rope, rocks and clay into tools, pots and fire pits.
Freepaid editions from $7.99Play on itch.io Trailer and devlogHow we ranked these
We picked 2D games where crafting drives survival. Survive It is our game; it has more than 2,000 downloads on itch.io.
- Crafting depth
- How much of the game is driven by recipes and combining items?
- Survival pressure
- Does the game punish you for neglecting hunger, danger or sanity?
- Co-op support
- Can you play with friends?
- Session style
- Is it relaxed or hard?
Best 2D crafting survival games in 2026
Terraria
by Re-Logic · Steam
1. Terraria, best for depth and bosses
Sandbox action and crafting · by Re-Logic
Dig, build, craft and fight bosses in a huge 2D world. The reference for the genre.
Best suited for: Depth and bosses.
Don't Starve
by Klei Entertainment · Steam
2. Don't Starve, best for hard survival
Wilderness survival · by Klei Entertainment
Gather, craft and keep your sanity in a hostile world with a hand-drawn style.
Best suited for: Hard survival.
Core Keeper
by Pugstorm · Steam
3. Core Keeper, best for co-op
Co-op mining and crafting · by Pugstorm
Top-down mining, crafting and farming underground, for up to eight players.
Best suited for: Co-op.
Forager
by HopFrog · Steam
4. Forager, best for relaxed sessions
Idle-style crafting · by HopFrog
Gather, craft and expand island by island at a quick pace.
Best suited for: Relaxed sessions.
Starbound
by Chucklefish · Steam
5. Starbound, best for exploration
Space exploration sandbox · by Chucklefish
Crafting and survival across procedurally generated planets.
Best suited for: Exploration.
6. Survive It, best for crafting from everything
PC game
Every object around you can be picked up: combine sticks, rope, rocks and clay into axes, pots and fire pits. A small game with more than 2,000 downloads.
Best suited for: Crafting from everything.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Every option below is scored on the same criteria listed in the methodology: price, what is included, licence, engine support and fit for the genre.
| Name | Best for | What you get | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TerrariaRe-Logic | Depth and bosses | Sandbox action and crafting | Steam |
| 2 | Don't StarveKlei Entertainment | Hard survival | Wilderness survival | Steam |
| 3 | Core KeeperPugstorm | Co-op | Co-op mining and crafting | Steam |
| 4 | ForagerHopFrog | Relaxed sessions | Idle-style crafting | Steam |
| 5 | StarboundChucklefish | Exploration | Space exploration sandbox | Steam |
| 6 | Survive ItReadySpawn | Crafting from everything | PC game | Freepaid editions from $7.99 |
Highlighted rows are sold on this site. Every other row links to its creator.
Questions
Terraria if you want depth and bosses, Don't Starve for a hard survival challenge, Forager for something relaxed.
Everything on the map can be picked up and used in a recipe, from sticks and rocks to clay.
A game where you gather resources and combine them into tools, shelter and food to stay alive.
Core Keeper supports up to eight players.
Start with five items and a few recipes. Make every item useful in more than one recipe.
On its itch.io page. It is a PC game.
Free: start with the PSX town kit
Download the free edition first and test the style in your engine before you spend anything.