After years of anticipation, Subnautica 2, the upcoming sequel to the acclaimed survival game of the same name, was formally revealed at an Xbox Partner Preview event on October 17. Like its predecessor, the game is being developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment, but will be the first title released by the company since it was acquired by South Korean publisher Krafton in 2021. Now, although Subnautica 2 is a follow-up to both the original Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero, it doesn't seem to have any connection to either of the two games from a narrative standpoint. Subnautica 2 will take place on an entirely new ocean planet, meaning that there'll be a whole host of mysterious creatures and biomes to uncover.
Unknown Worlds Entertainment touts that Subnautica 2 will be the first entry in the franchise to feature a multiplayer mode, as it will be playable with up to three friends. For some fans, this alone is enough to get them excited about Subnautica's sequel, but it isn't the only major improvement that is planned for the title. According to Scott Macdonald, an animator and developer who's working on Subnautica 2, Unknown Worlds intends to make Subnautica 2's map far larger in scope and depth than that of its predecessor once it's fully released. The thing is, when Subnautica 2 comes out in 2025 for PC and Xbox Series X/S, it will launch into early access, so it may take a while for this goal to be fulfilled.
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.
It May Take a Long Time for Subnautica 2's Map to be Fully Realized
Subnautica 1 and Below Zero Spent Several Years in Early Access Before They Launched
What Unknown Worlds is doing with Subnautica 2's release isn't anything new; the first two games in the Subnautica franchise also debuted as early access titles. For example, the original Subnautica came out on Windows PCs in December 2014, prior to its 1.0 launch. The game then made its way to macOS and Xbox One in 2015 and 2016, respectively. It wasn't until 2018 that Subnautica made its way out of early access and was subsequently released on PlayStation 4 as a result. Overall, it took approximately 3 years for the aquatic survival game to receive a full, feature-complete launch.
Because it was a smaller-scale spin-off of the first Subnautica game, Subnautica: Below Zero's early access period was considerably shorter. It initially came out on Windows PC via Steam and Epic Games Store in January 2019, only a year after the 1.0 launch of Subnautica. The game eventually landed on other platforms, namely PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and macOS, in May 2021. Subnautica: Below Zero launched out of early access the same day that it was released on consoles. The title essentially spent two years of its development cycle in EA.
Since Subnautica 2 Will Launch in Early Access, Its Map Likely Won't Be Fleshed-Out For a While
Unknown Worlds expects Subnautica 2's early access period to last for a similar amount of time. On the official Steam page of the game, the company states that the long-awaited sequel will likely be in early access for about two to three years, judging from the previous works it has developed. The early access version of Subnautica 2, Unknown Worlds claims, will feature a handful of biomes, creatures, and craftables, in addition to some narrative and a multiplayer mode. As the game's early access development progresses, the developer promises to add much more content to it.
There's a good chance that Subnautica 2's map won't be as fleshed-out as the one in the first game when it is released in 2025, since it'll still be in development by then. Barring any sudden delays, Unknown Worlds basically confirmed that its sequel won't be feature-complete until 2027 or 2028 at the earliest. It's unfortunate that fans will have to wait so long, but this will at least give the developer plenty of time to add more content to the game. The map in the original Subnautica wasn't gigantic by any means, but it certainly wasn't a slouch either, so it will likely take a lot of effort for Subnautica 2 to surpass its predecessor in this regard.
- 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
