Sandbox games allow players to immerse themselves in worlds of complete creative freedom where they can choose what to do, and how they want to do it. The inclusion of VR in a sandbox game makes the experience even more immersive and allows further exploration and freedom, not to mention some even more exciting gameplay.

Whether it's socializing with friends in custom environments, training some sword skills in a sandbox battleground, or building a dream house in a virtual world, sandbox VR games let players achieve whatever they want. They allow for some of the most fun and interesting experiences from all gaming, and these games are some of the very best out there.

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10 VRChat

Steam Rating: Mostly Positive

VRChat is a looser game in terms of sandbox definition, but it still features many sandbox features. Players can equip their virtual reality headsets and explore specially created virtual worlds which are used to interact and socialize with other people from all around the world.

Minigames can be created and played, and custom environments can be added and crafted. It's one of the best games in terms of actual socializing and there are so many amazing people to meet and interact with. The sandbox elements to VRChat come more in the exploration than anything else. There's no overall goal to achieve, so the emphasis is purely on exploring player-created worlds and interacting with other gamers.

9 Boneworks/Bonelab

Metacritic Ratings: 72 & 65

These two titles are developed by Stress Level Zero, and whilst they include an overall campaign, the real focus behind the titles is on the physics-based gameplay. Yes, they're shooters, and yes, it's technically a campaign, but Boneworks and its sequel Bonelab feature some of the best physics-based gameplay in any VR title. And when there's some incredible physics in a game, it always means creative exploration and sandbox elements.

Each level in both games is designed in a non-linear manner so that users can experiment with the best solutions to reach the end, giving them complete creative freedom over the whole process. It's super fun to experiment with the best routes, and the best items and weapons to use in order to achieve an objective, and it's the perfect type of game for an excellent sandbox VR experience.

8 Into The Radius

Metacritic Rating: 76

Into the Radius is a single-player survival shooter, exclusively for VR headsets. It's an interesting game with some incredible physics mechanics, and the enemies and world will make players scratch their hands trying to figure out just what is going on. There's a lot of exploration to be done in this title, and it's an interesting world to become immersed in and explore, as players unravel the intriguing story.

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The gunplay is sharp and realistic, and the graphics are pretty stunning. If someone is looking for a true sandbox survival experience, developed exclusively with VR in mind, then Into the Radius is definitely the one to check out. Uncovering the mysteries of this dystopian, strange world will prove an excitingly unique experience.

7 Battle Talent

Steam Rating: Very Positive

For all the swordplay lovers out there, Battle Talent, allows players to explore a sandbox roguelite environment wielding a medieval bladed weapon of their choice. Launching up Battle Talent means stepping into a procedurally generated virtual reality dungeon where there are over 80 enemy varieties, over 100 weapons to choose from as well as 60 perks to unlock and upgrade. For those who want a proper dungeon simulator, this is the game to get.

Battle Talent features some really smooth and satisfying combat that truly makes players feel like a knight wielding a hefty sword. The enemies are unique, and the procedurally generated landscapes never get old. It's VR hack n' slash melee combat at its finest, with some impressive gore mechanics as an added bonus. Go slay some goblins.

6 Garry's Mod

Metacritic User Score: 8.9

One can't mention sandbox without mentioning Garry's Mod. If players haven't heard of this game by now they may as well have been sleeping under a rock. GMod is one of the all-time great sandbox titles that allows players to create games, environments, models, and characters all in one package.

Some of the best fan-made titles have spawned from GMod including classics like Prop Hunt and Trouble in Terrorist Town, which have become staple game modes by this point. It's extremely fun to launch up GMod and just experiment with the fantastic physics engine, and create something unique. However, this is made 10x more immersive, and entertaining, when launching the game up in VR.

5 No Man's Sky

Metacritic Rating: 82

One of the greatest redemption stories in gaming, No Man's Sky has changed a lot since it first came out, and one of the biggest additions has been the implementation of VR. No Man's Sky in VR allows players to truly explore a huge open world universe, where they can fly a spaceship from planet to planet, mine for materials, fight against space pirates, or just patrol the galaxy.

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It's a true sandbox experience as there is a whole unique universe to explore, with an exponential amount of undiscovered planets to name and crazy lifeforms to discover. Players can also build their own bases and team up with other players to do whatever they want! It's the best VR title for sci-fi fans, and it only gets better with each added update.

4 The Forest

Metacritic Rating: 83

One of the best survival horror, sandbox video games in recent years can also be played in VR, and well, that just makes it even more terrifying. As the survivor of a plane crash, players are tasked with surviving on an island in a luscious forest environment, however, it's not just trees that surround the player in The Forest.

Gamers have to craft weapons, build a base, and fight back against the cannibalistic, cult-like creatures that stalk players across their travels. Playing this title in VR is one of the most horrifying ways to experience a game, but that's exactly what makes it so great. For fans of horror and sandbox together, this is an incredible VR experience.

3 Blade and Sorcery

Steam Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive

Another title that has received much acclaim, and mostly become a household VR title is Blade and Sorcery, a medieval-fantasy sandbox where players can wield classic weapons and cast exciting spells. It's an amazing experience, especially for fans of the fantasy genre, and Blade and Sorcery has mastered the feel of VR combat.

Players can jump into an arena and just experiment with different weapons and spells, hacking enemies down or blasting them with magic. Or, for a more exploration-focused sandbox experience, gamers can also jump into the dungeon game mode where players take on a semi-procedurally generated dungeon crawl with a variety of enemies and pathways to explore. It's one of the best fantasy VR titles out there, and it's a great sandbox experience.

2 Rolling Line

Steam Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive

A somewhat niche sandbox VR title, Rolling Line is a sandbox simulation game about railway modeling. It's a game specifically designed for those who share the hobby of model railways, as players can create their own virtual model railways and share them with other passionate gamers across the globe.

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It's a cool, nifty title that gives the player lots of creative freedom, and it's certainly recommended for anyone who loves to create specific aesthetics. Whilst Rolling Line is indeed a niche entry, its low-poly, cute, and simple creation tools can be enjoyed by all gamers to create a relaxing (and super satisfying) model railway track!

1 Minecraft

Metacritic Rating: 93

Of course Minecraft had to be mentioned as it's essentially the grandfather of sandbox games at this point, and the implementation of VR allows players to experience a complete, fully destructible, and craftable environment from the palms of their, well, headset. Not much needs to be said about Minecraft other than the fact that it's one of the best sandbox games ever made.

Playing Minecraft in VR is a dream come true for many gamers as it allows for a more immersive experience, and enhances many of the building and survival mechanics featured in the game. It feels like quite a different game playing it in VR, so it's also a good way to bring life to it.

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