Terraria (/təˈrɛərɪə/) is a 2011 action-adventure video game created by Re-Logic and published by 505 Games. As a sandbox game, Terraria does not have specific goals. After creating a player character and selecting the game’s difficulty, players enter a two-dimensional world that is randomly generated. In this world, players explore, fight enemies, collect resources, and build tools and weapons. To unlock new items, resources, and tools, players must defeat bosses, which are stronger enemies. Completing certain tasks allows players to meet non-player characters (NPCs) who sell items and offer services, such as healing or fishing quests. Terraria can be played alone or with others, and it supports modding, which allows players to add new content.
Andrew Spinks started working on Terraria in January 2011 with help from a team of testers and designers. As of 2025, Re-Logic has eleven members working on the game. Terraria was first released in May 2011 on Steam, a digital store. The game has received many updates over the years, changing it significantly from its original version. Development was planned to end in 2012 but continued after 2013.
Since its release, Terraria has added new items, NPCs, enemies, and difficulty levels. It also includes improvements that make the game easier to play and collaborations with other games. The game has been released on platforms such as home consoles, handheld devices, mobile phones, and computers. In 2020, Re-Logic said the game’s fourth major update would be its last, but they have continued to develop it.
Terraria has received mostly positive reviews from critics. Features like exploration, the ability to replay the game, and the large amount of content have been praised. The crafting system, which involves creating tools and items, is seen as complex. Some critics noted that the PC version lacks a tutorial, but the tutorial worlds on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PS Vita were well-received. The combat system and controls on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, as well as the small, blocky images used in the game, were also praised. As of 2025, Terraria has sold over 64 million copies, making it one of the best-selling video games ever. Re-Logic also worked on a game called Terraria: Otherworld from 2015 until it was canceled in 2018.
Gameplay
Terraria is a type of video game that combines sandbox, action-adventure, role-playing, and platformer elements. The game focuses on exploration, building, crafting, combat, survival, and mining, with no set goals. It can be played in single-player or multiplayer modes. The game uses a two-dimensional style similar to the 16-bit graphics of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Terraria is known for its classic exploration-adventure gameplay, similar to games like Minecraft. When creating a world, players can choose from three size options. Players start with basic tools and a non-player character (NPC) guide that teaches them about the game and other NPCs and item recipes. A study by Scholar Ji Soo Lim found that players often used a wiki to learn more about the game.
The world is divided into biomes, each with unique enemies and resources. Evil biomes, such as Corruption and Crimson, have tougher enemies that can spread to other areas. Players can find resources like ores in caves. Some resources are only available in specific areas, stored in containers, or dropped by enemies. Players can craft weapons, armor, and potions at crafting stations. They can also fish, golf, and decorate their homes. Players begin with low health and mana, which can be improved by finding or crafting specific items. The game has several difficulty modes: "Classic," and "Expert" and "Master," which increase difficulty for exclusive items. There is also "Journey" mode, which allows item duplication, difficulty adjustments, and control over weather and time.
The game includes a character class system divided into melee, ranged, magic, and summoner classes. A player's class depends on the equipment they use, so their class can change if they switch gear. Enemies appear based on time, location, or special events. Bosses, a tougher version of enemies, attack differently and drop valuable items. Bosses can be summoned using special items or by meeting certain conditions. Defeating some bosses, like the Wall of Flesh, advances the game into "hardmode," introducing tougher enemies, new NPCs, resources, and items. Special events, such as goblin, pirate, or alien invasions, involve continuous enemy attacks that must be defeated or time must pass to end. Seasonal events, like Halloween, add themed items, gear, and goodie bags.
By completing goals, such as defeating bosses or obtaining specific items, players can attract NPCs like merchants, nurses, or demolitionists to live in their homes. Some NPCs can be found in the world. After obtaining NPCs, players can buy or sell items or receive services, such as healing from a nurse or fishing rewards from an angler. NPC happiness depends on their biome and neighbors. Happy NPCs lower prices and sell special items.
Players can customize their character's appearance when creating a new character or by equipping items in-game. Vanity items, like cosmetic armor and accessories, and dyes that change item colors are available. Accessories can boost player stats, such as wings for flying or shields for knockback immunity.
Terraria supports modifications through tModLoader, a third-party tool that allows custom changes. tModLoader became official when released as free DLC on Steam in 2020. Modifications vary, with some adding new content like bosses or biomes, others changing game mechanics, and others improving gameplay. Examples include Thorium and Calamity (new content), Terraria Overhaul (new mechanics), and mods like Recipe Browser or Veinminer (quality-of-life improvements). The community also creates "modpacks," which bundle multiple mods together, such as The Bereft Souls.
Development
Terraria was created by the independent game studio Re-Logic and published by 505 Games. Andrew Spinks began developing Terraria in 2011 with help from a team of testers and designers, some of whom volunteered. Spinks previously worked on a Super Mario fan game called Super Mario Bros X. He used the Microsoft XNA framework to build Terraria. Spinks worked from his living room, and the small team collaborated remotely. Scott Lloyd Shelly created the game’s music. The game gained attention early in its development after a tweet from Markus Persson, the creator of Minecraft.
In February 2012, Spinks announced that Terraria would not receive further content updates so he could focus on his family. Instead, the company released a final bug-fix update. Some fans were disappointed by this decision. Development continued in 2013, with Spinks asking the community for ideas about future updates. The developer often communicates with fans through official forums and social media.
The game’s success allowed Spinks to hire a team. As of 2025, Re-Logic has eleven employees, most of whom were hired from the community.
Release
Terraria was first released on Steam for Windows on May 16, 2011. This happened earlier than planned because a beta version from a closed playtest was shared without permission. A collector's edition of Terraria was released on March 16, 2012. On August 12, 2015, versions for macOS and Linux were released.
In September 2012, Spinks announced that Engine Software and 505 Games would convert Terraria to work on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The Xbox 360 version was released on Xbox Live Arcade on March 27, 2013. The PlayStation 3 version was released on PlayStation Network in North America on March 26, 2013, and in Europe and Australia on May 15. These console versions added a local cooperative multiplayer mode. A downloadable version for PlayStation 4 was released on November 11, 2014, and for Xbox One three days later. The retail version was released on December 2, 2014. The console version of 1.3, developed by Pipeworks Studios, was released in February 2018. Its mobile version was released in August 2019.
Shortly after the initial console releases, 505 Games announced Terraria’s release for PlayStation Vita. It was released in Europe on December 11, 2013, and in North America on December 17, 2013. The Vita version included a tutorial world and an online Wi-Fi multiplayer mode. Spike Chunsoft localized the PlayStation 3 and Vita versions for Japan, adding a costume based on Monokuma from the Danganronpa series. Spike Chunsoft promoted Terraria by sharing game footage on Niconico and broadcasting it. Most players who downloaded a demo version of Terraria for PlayStation 3 later bought the full game. The Nintendo 3DS version was first released on the Nintendo eShop on December 10, 2015. A Wii U version was released on the eShop in Europe on June 24, 2016, and in North America four days later. A Nintendo Switch version was released on June 27, 2019.
In May 2013, 505 Games announced a mobile version of Terraria, developed by Codeglue for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone. The mobile version was optimized for touch screens and connected to Facebook. Terraria was released for iOS on August 29, 2013, for Android on September 13, and for Windows Phone on September 12, 2014. The console and mobile versions received the 1.2 update in 2014.
In February 2021, Spinks announced the cancellation of Terraria’s Google Stadia version because Re-Logic’s Google account was suspended for over three weeks. He later said that Android and Google Play versions would not be affected. Google restored the account later that month, and Re-Logic released Terraria for Stadia on March 18. Google shut down Stadia in September 2022, and the platform was closed in January 2023.
Terraria has received many updates since its release. These updates were free, and Spinks said it was the right thing to do. Unlike many games, Terraria does not include microtransactions, which are small purchases within the game. These updates helped the game stay popular for a long time.
One of Terraria’s first updates, 1.0.5, was released in June 2011. It added "anti-gravity boots" and potions. Its first major update, 1.1, was released on December 1, 2011. This update added enemies, bosses like the Wall of Flesh, items, accessories, and improved lighting and world generation. New NPCs, such as the wizard, mechanic, and goblin tinkerer, were also introduced. A Christmas update to 1.1 added snowmen enemies and a Santa Claus NPC.
The second major update, 1.2, was released in October 2013. It added new mechanics, gameplay changes, and graphics adjustments, including new items, NPCs, bosses, and enemies. Re-Logic later released minor updates, such as a Halloween-themed event and a Christmas-themed event. The 1.2.3 update, released in February 2014, introduced new items, improved game mechanics, and added the stylist and traveling merchant NPCs.
The third major update, 1.3, was released on June 30, 2015. It added new biomes, events, NPCs, items, enemies, and an "expert" difficulty mode. It also improved sound effects and graphics and allowed players to invite Steam friends in multiplayer mode. The update introduced the "Moon Lord," the final boss in the game. In September 2016, Re-Logic added sandstorms and expanded the desert biome. In November 2016, Re-Logic added content from Dungeon Defenders 2.
The fourth major update, 1.4 (or Journey’s End), was released on May 16, 2020. This update added official support for tModLoader, which was previously available as free downloadable content on Steam. The update introduced new items, enemies, biomes, and gameplay elements, including "master" and "journey" difficulty modes. It became available on Switch in January 2022. Despite saying 1.4 would be the final update, Re-Logic continued developing the game. Spinks said the high demand made it hard to move on. A March 2021 update added support for resource packs, worlds, and character sharing through Steam Workshop. In November 2021, a crossover update added content from Don’t Starve Together (which returned the favor with Terraria-themed content). The 1.4.4 "Labor of Love" update, released on September 28, 2022, added quality-of-life features. Palworld announced a collaboration with Terraria in November 2024. On April Fools’ Day 2024, an early version of Terraria was available on Steam in a branch called "Terraria Undeluxe Edition." Another branch, containing the 1.1 update, was released in May 2024, called the "First Final Update." The 1.4.5 update, announced in late 2022, was released on January 27, 2026, featuring crossover content from Palworld and Dead Cells.
Reception
Terraria received "generally favorable" reviews, according to Metacritic, a website that collects game reviews. Gamasutra named it one of the best independent games of 2011. By 2022, it had over a million reviews on Steam, and it remained an "overwhelmingly positive" game. In 2011, it was nominated for "best independently published game" at The Daily Telegraph video game awards. Famitsu, a Japanese review site, praised the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 versions of the game.
Reviewers highlighted Terraria’s gameplay. Many praised its exploration features. Nathan Meunier of IGN said players feel motivated to explore every part of the game world from the start. Britton Peele of GameSpot and Tom McShea both praised the game’s large world and challenging boss battles. Kevin Schaller of GameRevolution liked how smoothly the game transitions between day and night. Jeffrey deMelo of TouchArcade and Ben Reeves of Game Informer noted the game’s high replayability. Christian Donlan of Eurogamer called it "extremely enjoyable" and appreciated the in-game map. McShea and Peele praised the game’s large amount of content. Meunier and McShea liked the crafting system, but Phill Cameron of Eurogamer found it too complex.
Some critics criticized the lack of a tutorial on PC, but the tutorial world included in the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions was well-received. Meunier also praised the tutorial on the PS Vita. However, Reeves said the game’s mechanics were not explained clearly, making it "tiring and frustrating" to learn. Winkie liked the game’s progression system, and Meunier praised the development of the NPC village. Meunier and Philip Kollar of Polygon enjoyed the multiplayer mode, and Peele praised the multiplayer invitation system on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Marcel van Duyn of Nintendo Life disliked the lack of online multiplayer in the 3DS version but saw improvements in the Wii U version. Reviewers compared Terraria to Minecraft because of similar gameplay, but Peele said the comparison was "somewhat unfair," and Donlan described Terraria as a mix of Minecraft and Spelunky. Kollar noted that while Terraria is less flexible in some areas, it has more structure and goals. Matt Kamen of The Guardian said Terraria focuses more on combat than Minecraft. Spinks responded by saying, "people need to understand that Minecraft isn’t a game anymore, it’s a genre."
The game’s technical features, including its combat system, were praised. McShea liked the PS Vita’s movement controls, and van Duyn appreciated the 3DS’s touchscreen abilities. Critics praised the controls on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but Mitch Vogel of Nintendo Life criticized the controls on the Nintendo Switch. Mark Brown of Pocket Gamer liked the iOS version’s mining mechanics but disliked its movement. Meunier criticized the user interface on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 but praised the PS Vita’s interface. Reviewers appreciated the game’s retro-style graphics. Terraria has become a "global success" in the pixel art genre of video games.
Since its 2011 release, PC Gamer reviewed the game again, raising its score from 79 to 83. They noted that the game had changed significantly since its initial release, like League of Legends. In a 2018 review, Luke Winkie disliked the game’s complexity but praised its technical elements and physics engine. GameStar reviewed Terraria in 2020, giving it a score of 85 out of 100. Sascha Penzhorn praised the fourth major update, calling the game "more accessible and more challenging" than before. He also liked the retro graphics and the ability to customize player characters with color dyes, though he noted that the German translation still included English text.
Since tModLoader received support from Re-Logic in 2020, modding has become a key part of the Terraria community. IndieWire said that mods have "added hundreds of hours of new content" and act as "free advertising" for the game. In 2022, Re-Logic hired a Minecraft modder to work on tModLoader. When Opera GX ranked the 100 best video game soundtracks in 2024, the Calamity mod’s soundtrack was ninth, but Terraria’s soundtrack was not included. Spinks congratulated the Calamity mod developers, saying, "how’s a mod for my game gonna beat out my game."
Terraria sold more than 50,000 copies on its first day and 432,000 copies in its first month. By May 2025, the game had sold over 64 million copies, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time.
Legacy
Terraria 2 was first announced in October 2013, but it has not been released. As of a 2022 update, the game was only one of several ideas the studio was considering. In a 2013 interview with Rock Paper Shotgun, Spinks stated that Terraria 2 would be very different from the original game. He mentioned that it would include "infinite worlds" instead of a single world. In 2022, Spinks shared early designs for Terraria 2 that were created during its development. When a team member changed their Twitter bio to "Terraria 2 – A New Age," the studio responded that it was exploring options for future games but had not yet decided on a plan.
In February 2015, Re-Logic announced a separate game called Terraria: Otherworld. This game was described as a different version of Terraria, where players would work to remove a harmful effect called the Corruption by activating special structures called "purifying towers." Otherworld was expected to include more strategy and role-playing elements, such as tower defense gameplay, skill systems, and a story. Ruud van de Moosdijk, the lead developer of Otherworld, told Famitsu that unlike Terraria, Otherworld would have a story. In July 2016, Re-Logic’s partner on the project, Engine Software, hired new designers and artists. However, in April 2017, Re-Logic announced that Engine Software would no longer be involved, and Pipeworks would take over. A year later, Re-Logic canceled Otherworld because they were not satisfied with its progress.
After Terraria was released, Re-Logic created physical items related to the game, such as books, toys, and clothing. In July 2022, Re-Logic announced a collaboration with 50 Amp Productions to produce a Terraria graphic novel. The following year, Re-Logic partnered with Paper Fort Games to develop a Terraria board game. To fund the board game, they launched a Kickstarter campaign.