Crafting a sequel is never an easy task, especially when the first title of a series has caused so many ripples to the point that it has become a staple, not only in the genre but in gaming as a whole. Still, Unknown Worlds Entertainment has taken the monumental task of giving us Subnautica 2, and from what we’ve seen so far, it is looking like the sequel we wanted for a long time, and one that, despite offering many new things, maintains the emblematic formula of exploration-meets-underwater-horror and raises it even further.
A New Journey in the Depths of the Ocean
I had the opportunity to attend a hands-on preview of Subnautica 2 ahead of its early access launch, and as someone whose only platinumed game is Subnautica, I can’t begin to describe my excitement.
Among the many things that the developers from Unknown World Entertainment said, mainly Anthony Gallegos, the design lead, they talked about how they are working on keeping the formula that worked in Subnautica, yet adapting it to the sequel.
One thing that the studio mentioned was how Subnautica, and therefore, Subnautica 2, have always leaned toward the exploration aspect more and not into horror elements, despite being amazing at the latter. For the sequel, they wanted to embrace that again, especially since Below Zero lost some of that underwater horror as it included more surface gameplay than what many fans would’ve liked.
Subnautica 2Â also aims to return to the series roots, as it is bringing a silent protagonist, another plot full of mystery on an unknown planet, and all that contrasting beauty of underwater horror with gorgeous landscapes full of colorful flora and fauna.
Among the new features that caught my attention were these new tools that would make underwater exploration a breeze, such as the iconic scanner, gloves that work like the Seaglide, and even some QoL updates, such as now being able to see what materials you obtain or the ability to fine-tune your base-building projects, with base parts that you can modify instead of having set modules.
Of course, another big thing about Subnautica 2 is its inclusion of co-op, which, to be frank, had me a bit skeptical. The truth is, Subnautica has always been ideal for solo play, especially given how scary everything feels when you’re alone in an underwater environment. Yet the studio has already confirmed that the horror elements won’t be diminished, as having other players around enhances the journey of diving into the darkest depths of this alien planet. And, after looking at the most recent First Dive showcase, we agree.
The Long-Awaited Sequel is Finally Here
After a long wait, many players will be able to jump into Subnautica 2 briefly and experience one of the most-awaited sequels in the history of Steam alone or with others. Of course, it is important to remember that this game will launch on early access, meaning that it will be a while until we see the finished product. Still, the developers have already confirmed we’ll have around 12 hours of gameplay for early access, and that can be longer depending on how much time you spend exploring, building, and swimming away from some leviathan-class creatures.
Subnautica 2Â launches on early access on May 14 on PC through Steam, the Epic Games Store, and Xbox Series X|S.
