Story Highlights
- The crafting mechanic has been long present in various games across the industry.
- Despite its prominence, only a handful of games have been genuinely able to nail this mechanic down.
- Titles such as Factorio, Minecraft, and Stardew Valley feature exceptional crafting functionality.
We’ve all been there, gushing over a particular mechanic in a specific game hard, and praying that the fun never stops. In recent memory, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s “Ultrahand” feature has been doing this for me, and with this write-up, I’d like to cast a lens on some of the other titles that have been absolutely amazing with the crafting mechanic.
Having played countless titles over the course of the past decade or so, I can confidently say that the following titles handle crafting like no other. Just make sure to sift through each listing diligently for the best results.
You’re Going To Spend A Lot Of Time Puttings Things Together Here
Oh, and if you feel like other games could be added to this list, a comment down below would do splendidly.
1. Minecraft
Kicking things off with a bang is probably one of the most iconic games of all time, and the most successful video game franchise in the industry’s history. Minecraft brings to the table sheer simplicity and the satisfaction of being able to craft with an exceptionally straightforward approach, no complications involved. You may as well spend weeks and months in the title and easily lose track of time; it’s that addictive.
While you’re at it, I recommend checking out the Distant Horizons mod for Minecraft. It’s a game-changing alteration that’s going to transform your Minecraft experience for the better.
2. Satisfactory
Another title that has managed to earn a spot on this list is Satisfactory, a first-person game at heart that somehow hits the nail on the head as far as merging different genres together is concerned i.e. factory simulation and action-adventure. One of the primary feats of the title is its pure addictiveness to the point where it’s going to get a bit hard — and I mean quite a bit — to put the controller down.
eXputer reviewed Satisfactory and rated it 3.5/5.0 overall, with author Abdul Haddi remarking,
While it still may be in early access right now, Satisfactory has an incredible amount of content and fun to offer to its players.”
3. Factorio
Probably one of the best games out there when you consider the value-to-money proportion, Factorio is one game that’s going to make you forget all about your life when you finally get into its groove. The titular factory-building simulator makes 5,000 in-game hours look effortless, with a pretty simple crafting system that’s both rewarding and satisfying.
And the best part? The game’s file size is less than 10 GB, so it does not hog up any substantial storage on your end.
4. Stardew Valley
ConcernedApe’s Stardew Valley, which is the project of a solo yet extremely passionate developer, has rolled over more than 30 million units across different platforms, so you should know that this is no slouch we’re talking about. It’s a cozy farming simulator with a well-honed crafting mechanic that’s genuinely fun to use and unable to become repetitive anytime soon, even if you pour in thousands of hours.
eXputer’s revised review of Stardew Valley holds it in high regard, rating it 4.5/5.0, with author Moiz Banoori saying the following about it,
Even in 2024, Stardew Valley is a universally beloved and utterly timeless farming sim that can provide hundreds of hours of entertainment.”
5. Dead Rising
With Capcom attempting to escape the overly serious nature of the Resident Evil IP, Dead Rising is the perfect getaway for those wanting a purely fun-driven zombie apocalypse game filled to the brim with exploration, lots of killing, and lots of crafting. The series spans multiple games, but I couldn’t help but mention the OG because of how it’s an excellent pioneer of such a remarkable franchise.
Dead Rising’s crafting is unique, out of the box, and above all, unpredictable. You can make ridiculous weapons by putting together different materials that you’ll obtain after finding the respective weapon blueprint and going to town on hordes of zombies with them afterward.
6. Path Of Exile
At long last, we’ve got Path of Exile on the list, a game known and popularized for its terrific value-to-money ratio and grind-oriented gameplay. Now, do not take this suggestion lightly. This is a complex game that we’re talking about that requires precision, strategy, and above all, an understanding of its various systems, including the crafting mechanic that has a learning curve.
The reason I still recommend Path of Exile to players is for them to be able to try out something different for a change, something that makes them work for their reward. It’s completely free, so you won’t have money to lose. Give it an honest shot.
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