Summary
- Subnautica 2 will include genetic modification, allowing players to adapt alien DNA for survival - a mechanic that was originally planned to feature in the first game.
- The game is set to be available in early access in 2025, featuring new environments, technologies, and creatures, including a terrifying new leviathan.
- Players can explore the alien ocean world with up to 3 friends in online co-op, craft submersibles and tools, and adapt their genetics to survive in new environments.
Fans looking forward to Subnautica 2 have finally gotten a better look at what to expect from the sequel after the release of its first official teaser trailer, with new information suggesting that the game will be featuring a major scrapped gameplay mechanic that never made it into the original Subnautica. While the game doesn't have an official release date just yet, Subnautica 2 is set to be available in early access at an unspecified date early in 2025, and is due to be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one.
This greatly-anticipated sequel to the sci-fi underwater exploration game was officially revealed at the Xbox Partner Preview event earlier in October. Fans have since gotten a look at some of the new environments, technologies, and creatures - including a terrifying new leviathan in the Subnautica universe - via the game's official Steam page, which gives players a taste of the planet they'll find themselves on and the story they'll be thrust into.
Subnautica 2 Announced, Has 4-Player Co-Op
After months of teasing, Unknown Worlds Entertainment and Krafton reveal Subnautica 2 and confirm that it will have 4-player co-op play online.
While plenty of exciting Subnautica 2 details have been released so far, perhaps one of the most interesting is that the game will apparently be featuring the ability for players to enhance their abilities by adapting alien DNA from various creatures found across the planet. While this idea has big implications for gameplay, it's not at all a new idea within the world of Subnautica. The first game was originally going to feature a very similar mechanic, wherein players would be able to use the Transfuser tool to extract alien DNA samples, process them into serums via a fabricator-like device called the centrifuge, and consume them to gain new abilities.
How Subnautica 2 Could Take The Original Game's Progression, And Make It Even Better
It's speculated that examples of such abilities would have included night vision and faster swim speed, but the concept of genetic modification appears to be a major aspect of the sequel. Part of Subnautica 2's description on its official Steam page states that players will be able to use the Biosampler tool to extract genetic samples from creatures, and use them to "evolve your genetics and adapt your body for survival." With the original Subnautica largely pushing players to rely on vehicles to progress further into the game, players may instead need to focus on genetic modification in order to survive in Subnautica 2's new environments - encouraging players to understand an alien world and its ecosystem in an entirely new way.
Fans can only theorize as to the benefits that such genetic modifications might provide at this point, though there are already plenty of ideas circulating within the community. Many are also curious to discover how this new avenue of progression might differ from the purely technological upgrades, with the world of Subnautica featuring plenty of different technologies which already help to accommodate survival in extreme environments.
- Developer(s)
- Unknown Worlds Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Krafton
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- Subnautica
WHERE TO PLAY
Subnautica 2 is an underwater survival adventure game set on an all-new alien ocean world. It is the next chapter in the Subnautica universe, developed by Unknown Worlds.
New World, New Adventure
A new world awaits alongside an all-new story. You are a pioneer traveling to a distant world, but something is amiss. The ship's AI insists you carry on the mission. This world is too dangerous for humans to survive… Unless you change what it means to be human. What creatures, intelligent or otherwise, await your arrival?
Explore with Friends
Play alone or with up to three friends in online multiplayer co-op. Whether exploring mysterious ruins, building custom bases, or adventuring deeper into the world… The challenge of this planet will test your ingenuity and ability to adapt, in unexpected and curious ways.
Craft Submersibles, Tools, and Bases
Survival depends on utilizing the right tools. Alongside basic items such as your Scanner and Flashlight, you’ll find recipes for more advanced tools, equipment, and submersibles. Bases are more customizable with an overhauled building system. New tools allow for greater adaptation to the world.
Uncover Diverse New Biomes
From towering underwater cliffs to lush coral fields, this aquatic alien world is brimming with vibrant and breathtaking biomes, each teeming with diverse ecosystems and unique creatures. But something isn’t right. The world is out of balance. What happened here? What happened to you? And more importantly, where are you?
Study Mysterious Lifeforms
Uncover a rich world full of mysterious lifeforms, from the smallest fish to the largest Leviathans. Scan creatures to learn more about them. Use your Biosampler to take samples for study. As you learn more about this world, evolve your genetics to adapt your body for survival.
Survive Terrifying Depths
This world is vast and deep. Venture beyond the safety of shallow waters, descending into a dark unknown. Wonder and danger lurks around every corner. To survive this planet, you’ll need to push beyond your boundaries and unlock the secrets of this strange world.
About the Team
Subnautica 2 is being created by Unknown Worlds, a fully remote studio that traces its roots back to the 2002 Half-Life mod Natural Selection. It is the same studio that created the original Subnautica. The team is scattered around the globe, from the United States to the United Kingdom, France, Iceland, Austria, Australia, Canada, India, and many more places.
Early Access Development
Subnautica 2 will be an Early Access game meaning it will be in active development at release. You may encounter bugs, in-development features, and performance issues. We will be adding additional biomes, creatures, craftables, and narrative as we proceed. Join us in Early Access and help shape the future of Subnautica 2.
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
