Beyond the Farm: Open-World Exploration Quiz
No Man's Sky, Terraria, Astroneer, Subnautica — bigger worlds for fans of farming games
Beyond the Farm: Which Open-World Exploration Game Is Right for You?
6 questions to match you with No Man's Sky, Terraria, Astroneer, or Subnautica — bigger worlds for farming game fans
1. What draws you most about a bigger open world?
2. How much challenge do you want the game to offer?
3. Which type of world depth appeals to you most?
4. Which visual world sounds most appealing to you?
5. What is your relationship with building bases in games?
6. Which "first hour" scenario sounds most exciting to you?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is No Man's Sky worth buying in 2024?
No Man's Sky is absolutely worth buying in 2024 — it's one of the greatest redemption stories in gaming. It launched to disappointment in 2016 but has received years of free major updates and now offers hundreds of hours of content. Difficulty is fully adjustable (Creative mode has zero survival pressure), it launched on Nintendo Switch in 2024, it's available free on Game Pass, and has a rich multiplayer co-op system. With 18 quintillion unique planets, the game's core joy is base-building, exploration, and community. Rated 'Overwhelmingly Positive' on Steam in 2024.
Is Terraria worth it in 2024 — is it good for beginners?
Terraria is one of the best value propositions in gaming — about $10 (regularly on sale for $2.50) with over 5,000 items, 30+ bosses, and hundreds of hours of content. It has sold over 58 million copies and has a 98% positive rating on Steam, making it one of the highest-rated games ever made. For beginners: there is a learning curve but the early game is well-guided (the Guide NPC tells you what you can craft), and the community wiki is extraordinarily comprehensive. Start on Classic difficulty, consult the wiki for the basics, and don't be afraid to build a shelter before nightfall.
Is Astroneer worth buying — how is it different from No Man's Sky?
Astroneer is absolutely worth buying at about $30, and is available on Game Pass. Key differences from No Man's Sky: Astroneer is more focused (a handful of planets in one solar system rather than an infinite universe), more cartoonish/cozy visually, has minimal combat, and the core joy is the crafting and base-connecting mechanic satisfaction rather than galactic-scale exploration. No Man's Sky is better if you want massive scale and narrative; Astroneer is better if you want a gentle, cozy first space game — especially in co-op (up to 4 players sharing a base). Often described as 'the most cozy space game ever made.'
Is Subnautica worth playing — is it actually scary?
Subnautica is absolutely worth playing — it's one of the most uniquely affecting games ever made (97% positive on Steam). Regarding scariness: it depends on the player. The game has thalassophobia-adjacent elements (massive creatures patrol the deeper zones) but the majority of early game time spent gathering resources in shallow coral reefs is serene and beautiful. Designed tension exists but it never becomes a horror game. If you have mild deep-sea anxiety, Subnautica is actually a surprisingly good way to work through it because the game balances 'feels comfortable' and 'feels threatening' very well. The harvesting loop (scan plants, gather materials) is immediately familiar to farming game players.
Which open-world game should a farming game fan start with?
For farming game fans transitioning to open-world games, the best entry point depends on what you want: if you want the most cozy, pressure-free experience, start with Astroneer (cartoon space exploration, minimal combat); if you want epic-scale exploration freedom, start with No Man's Sky (has Creative mode with zero survival pressure); if you want a challenging progression with massive content, start with Terraria (extraordinary value for money); if you want a truly one-of-a-kind experience with a story, start with Subnautica. The first three are available on Game Pass, making them zero-risk to try.