5 Best Open-World Games With Base Building (2024)

There is no shortage of open-world games, meaning there is something out there for everyone. Creative players, for example, often enjoy open-world games that feature base-building mechanics and will go far beyond the basic requirements of a defensive base.

There are many different elements to base-building, with some games having more of a focus on farming or industry, whereas in other games the base must be an impenetrable fortress that can withstand attacks from the world's inhabitants. While there are many open-world games with base building, the following are some of the best.

1 Valheim

Build Viking Longhouses Or Entire Villages

Valheim is an open-world survival game that takes place in a procedurally generated Viking world. On top of the game's fantastic natural exploration, one of the best parts of Valheim is building longhouses. At the very least, players need a simple shelter with a fire so that they can place a bed to act as a respawn point.

However, as they progress, players will want to build all sorts in their base, from fermentors and forges to spinning wheels and windmills. As players discover new biomes in Valheim and harvest different resources, they will have access to new building materials and architecture. How creative players want to get is up to them, and the community has made some truly impressive houses, ports, and towns over the years.

2 Fallout 4

Build A Base To Survive The Post-Apocalyptic World

The Fallout games are some of the best known, and with the successful release of a TV adaptation, popularity for the series is once again on the rise. While there are never-ending debates about which installment is the best, if players are looking for an open-world game they can build in and love Fallout, then Fallout 4 is the option for them.

In fact, players can not only make a base but also build an entire settlement in which NPCs will eventually live. On top of walls and roofs, players will need to install generators and everything else required for power, but they can also decorate to their heart's content. For example, players will find rugs and paintings, as well as more miscellaneous items that make buildings look more lived-in and realistic.

3 No Man's Sky

Build Futuristic Bases On Any Planet In The Universe

No Man's Sky is a game known for offering players 18 quintillion planets to explore, but not everybody knows that it's possible to build a base on practically any of these planets. These bases can be used as a safe haven for players to recharge their hazard protection and to escape dangerous weather. They are also valuable for storage, and players can farm agricultural products at their base, which will, in turn, generate wealth and resources.

Due to the sci-fi nature of the game, the bases players build in No Man's Sky are futuristic and sleek, with players able to go wild with their creations. Bases can be easily edited, and it is even possible to add decorations to make a home or farm feel more lived in.

4 Palworld

Build Bases & Assign Pals To Work

Palworld is an early-access open-world game that took the gaming world by storm in early 2024, offering players a nostalgic throwback of pure fun. One of the most surprising aspects of the game is that players can not only build bases but they can also assign captured Pals to work at the base.

With Pals having different skills, such as the ability to chop wood or generate electricity, and individuals even possessing their own personalities and work tendencies, managing the base and workers gets very interesting. This is especially true as workers need to eat and sleep, and overworking them will result in a loss of morale and even injuries. While the base building isn't beautiful or that creative, the fun lies in trying to create an efficient and self-sufficient Pal factory, especially once production lines are unlocked.

5 Subnautica

Build Underwater Bases As Outposts For Deep-Sea Exploration

Subnautica is a game all about exploring the deep seas of an alien planet, but players also need to survive and to do so, they will need to build a base. Having an outpost is essential, and players will need to come back here to recharge and plan their next trip into the unknown.

As a fairly unique experience in gaming, players can create underwater bases out of high-tech infrastructure. Modules such as the Moonpool can be placed to allow players to dock their vehicles, while they will need generators or solar panels to power the entire base. Alien Containments can be built to observe lifeforms, and players can even decorate their base to make the strange planet feel more like home.