Even as a fan of classic horror games like Silent Hill and Resident Evil, I found the original Subnautica to be incredibly frightening. It expertly used the fear of what lies beneath the surface, especially for those afraid of the ocean. The recently released early access version, Subnautica 2, continues this trend and is already receiving excellent reviews. In my view, it’s a great sequel – bigger and more ambitious than the first game – but it’s still a work in progress, as you’d expect from an early access title.
Subnautica 2 puts you back on an alien planet, but this time it’s almost entirely covered in water. You’ll start with very few supplies and need to work hard to collect resources, build tools and bases, and explore the massive ocean. And it is massive – bigger and more impressive than both the original Subnautica and its spin-off, Below Zero.
Subnautica 2’s improved graphics truly bring the ocean to life, showcasing both its peaceful beauty – like sunlight filtering through the water – and its terrifying depths. The visuals are breathtaking, creating moments of wonder alongside a sense of dread, especially when looking into the incredibly deep ocean canyons.
Subnautica 2’s story is a huge step up from the first game. It features compelling logs, well-placed story moments, and surprising twists that really drew me in. While the original Subnautica’s story was fairly basic, the sequel is clearly prioritizing a more engaging narrative, and it’s fantastic.
Unknown Worlds has clearly put a lot of effort into making Subnautica’s sequel incredibly immersive, and it really shows. What’s exciting is that the game has so much potential – the developers will refine and improve it through early access, and I’m confident the final product will be fantastic. Right now, the early access phase is about polishing the game and fixing a few issues, which I’ll discuss later.
If you’ve played Subnautica, you’ll quickly pick up Subnautica 2. The gameplay is very similar to the original, with a few useful additions. One of these is NOA, your ship’s AI helper, who explains how things work, gives you tips, and helps you find your way when you inevitably get lost.
Initially, focus on gathering and improving your oxygen supply – this is key to staying alive longer and reaching deeper areas. It takes time and effort to build up these resources, which fans of survival games will likely enjoy. Once you understand the systems, it’s very satisfying to see real progress. Of course, exploring the underwater world and cataloging everything – plants, creatures, and objects – is still a lot of fun and how I spent most of my time.
Subnautica 2 features complex crafting and inventory systems, but they’re surprisingly easy to manage. The developers, Unknown Worlds, have successfully made the game welcoming to new players while still offering the challenging depth that experienced survival game fans expect. Improvements to the user interface, inventory organization, clearer item descriptions, and more responsive controls all work together to create a smooth and rewarding experience.
We’re still working on the co-op mode for Subnautica 2, which many fans have asked for. We haven’t been able to get it running smoothly without players disconnecting or experiencing other problems, so I’ll share an update when we have more news.
Despite its promise, Subnautica 2 still has some bugs as it’s still being developed. I’ve run into issues like crafting recipes not working even when I have all the necessary materials. The game has also crashed a few times, making me repeat progress. I’ve also had sound problems that needed a game restart to resolve.
I’ve been playing Subnautica 2 on the MSI Raider 16 Max HX B2W. Its powerful GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU and 24GB of DDR7 memory easily handle the game’s demands. However, I’ve encountered some technical issues, which is common for a game still in early access. The developers, Unknown Worlds, are still working to improve performance, so players might experience occasional crashes or slowdowns.
Subnautica 2 has already made a strong impression, both in ways I anticipated and surprisingly new ones. It’s a much larger and more ambitious sequel with a lot of promise. The developers at Unknown Worlds have clearly laid a solid foundation for something truly special. It’s too early to say if it will be as gripping as the original – my fear of the ocean isn’t what it used to be – but the gameplay is incredibly engaging. The game really pulls you in with its sense of wonder, encouraging you to explore deeper and deeper, even when you know you might encounter a massive Leviathan. Honestly, I’m still a little hesitant about that part!
Subnautica 2 is now playable on PC through Steam and on Xbox Series X/S consoles, as well as through the Xbox Game Pass Preview program.
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2026-05-20 12:15