Why Subnautica Players Should Take a Look at The Oily Depths

When Subnautica was first announced in 2013, its reveal wasn't met with much fanfare. Unknown Worlds Entertainment, the San Francisco-based developer of the game, wasn't that well-known at the time, and it didn't have a firm idea in mind about what Subnautica would be. Speaking to PC Gamer, Unknown Worlds PR lead Hugh Jeremy stated that he and his company weren't able to place the game into a specific genre yet. Although they had some prototype concepts in mind, they were still trying to determine Subnautica's gameplay loop. The game might eventually fit into an existing genre, Jeremy said, but he couldn't speak decisively on the matter.

Following a three-year stint in early access, Subnautica was released in 2018, more than half a decade after that interview with Hugh Jeremy was held. In spite of this, much of what Jeremy said back then was reflected in the design philosophy of the game's final build. Although Subnautica has typically been labeled as a survival title, it frankly fits into many more genres than that. Subnautica has action-adventure elements, is set in an open-world environment, and can be played as a sandbox title using its creative mode. It is also, in a way, a horror game, as it's one of the scariest titles out there in some people's opinion. Given how unique it is, it can be difficult for fans of the game to find viable alternatives, which makes the Oily Depths something that should not be missed out on.

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The Oily Depths Takes the Underwater Horror Vibes of Subnautica to the Next Level

Even Though It's Not Meant to Be a Horror Game, Subnautica Has a Lot of Scary Moments

In Subnautica, players have to explore an alien planet that's covered almost entirely by water. In order to survive in this harsh environment, they have to gather essential resources and protect themselves against dangerous wildlife. These tasks, however, are made a lot harder by Subnautica's day-night cycle. Depending on the time of day, players get less visibility in the ocean they're exploring in. This means that, in certain cases, they can easily be jump-scared and attacked by the deep-sea monstrosities that inhabit Subnautica's oceans. Although the game wasn't necessarily designed as a horror title, this can be a very frightening experience for many players.

Subnautica Fans Who are Looking for More Underwater Horror Games May Want to Check Out The Oily Depths

While there aren't a lot of underwater horror games like Subnautica, upcoming title The Oily Depths may be able to scratch the same itch. The Oily Depths, for those who don't know, is a short psychological horror game that takes place entirely in a submarine. It's being developed by a solo indie developer named Ryan R. Burns, who has previously worked at AAA companies like Blizzard and Ubisoft.

The Oily Depths follows an unnamed protagonist who has to locate oil under the seas and drill for it while taking commands from a mysterious voice. Players have to obey orders and fulfill the quotas they're given because if they don't, their corporate overlords will cut off their supply of oxygen. That isn't the only thing that they have to worry about, though. Throughout the game, players encounter some dangerous threats, including fires and deadly sea monsters. In order to survive through each day, they have to complete their tasks as efficiently as possible and unravel the mystery behind their current work life.

The Oily Depths has a grim, almost PS2-esque aesthetic; there are barely any lights or bright colors in the submarine that the game takes place in. Instead, everything is a murky mix of brown, green, and blue hues, which further enhances the horror atmosphere of the game.

A Free Demo for The Oily Depths is Available Right Now

Although The Oily Depths is a fairly different game compared to Subnautica, it still shares some similar deep-sea horror themes, and it has a few survival gameplay mechanics. The game doesn't have an exact release date yet, but it is going to be launched for Windows PCs via Steam sometime in the near future. Those who want to play The Oily Depths right now, however, can check out the game's newly-released demo, which covers its first in-game day.

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