Summary
- Subnautica 2 will feature a larger, deeper map than its predecessor, aiming for a vast and immersive underwater world.
- The game will offer multiplayer co-op for up to four players, exploring new biomes and encountering terrifying creatures.
- Early Access for Subnautica 2 will begin in early 2025, allowing players to follow the game's development and shape its future.
The oceanic world of Subnautica 2 is set to feature a larger world than its predecessor according to developer Scott MacDonald, with the game also hinted to include environments that will take players to even greater depths than those seen in the first game. With Subnautica 2 confirmed to be taking place on an entirely different ocean planet than that seen in Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero, fans can look forward to exploring completely new alien vistas home to unique ecosystems of life.
Subnautica 2 was officially revealed earlier this October during an Xbox Partner Preview event, which showed off the game's first ever teaser trailer. Fans have since gotten a glimpse at some of the new creatures, biomes, and technologies set to be introduced in the sequel, which will offer a fleshed-out multiplayer co-op mode. Up to four players will be able to explore these new aquatic environments together, with a couple of the game's presumably new playable characters shown off in the trailer. Players who wish to experience the same isolated feeling captured by the original Subnautica don't have to worry, though, as the sequel can be enjoyed solo just as well.
Subnautica 2 Is Implementing a Feature Cut From The Original Game
The original Subnautica was packed with cut content, with one of the biggest examples set to return in the sequel as a significant mechanic.
While the original Subnautica featured a substantially-sized map which could keep new players exploring for weeks, the team behind the Subnautica series apparently plans to be even more ambitious with the sequel's map. This information was shared in a tweet from Subnautica developer and animator Scott MacDonald, better known to the community as Obraxis. While the exact scope of Subnautica 2's map is clearly stated to be uncertain at this time, MacDonald claims that the team aims to deliver a map that's both vaster and deeper than offered by the original Subnautica by the time of the sequel's 1.0 release.
Subnautica 2 Fans Can Dive Into Its New World Early Next Year, Thanks to Early Access
Of course, fans should be aware that Subnautica 2 remains under heavy development, and it's not yet certain whether the developers' ambitious vision for the game will end up taking shape like they've planned. That said, players do have the opportunity to follow the progress of Subnautica 2's development thanks to early access, which is set to begin at some point in early 2025. A release date for the game's full 1.0 release date has not yet been shared.
A larger map with even deeper biomes ranks high on the community's list of most-wanted features in Subnautica 2, with one of Subnautica: Below Zero's biggest departures from the original being that it featured much shallower environments. The Subnautica series has always intended to put a focus on exploration before horror, but players should really be prepared to go face-to-face with some terrifyingly tentacular leviathans as they delve into the unknown when Subnautica 2 goes live.
- 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
