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Subnautica: Below Zero
Adventure
Indie
Single-player
Steam Achievements
Full controller support
Steam Trading Cards
Steam Cloud
Remote Play on TV
Family Sharing

Dive into a freezing underwater adventure on an alien planet. Below Zero is set two years after the original Subnautica. Return to Planet 4546B to uncover the truth behind a deadly cover-up. Survive by building habitats, crafting tools, & diving deeper into the world of Subnautica.

Developers: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
Publishers: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
Release Date: May 13, 2021
Price (USD): $7.49
Current Players: 2k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Very Positive(90%)
visuals
underwater exploration
narrative depth
voice acting
creature design
land sections
talkative protagonist
new narrative focus
smaller map
story depth
less scary
Seatruck issues
technical issues
While Subnautica: Below Zero continues to deliver on stunning visuals and engaging exploration, it often falls short when compared to its predecessor. The new narrative-driven approach has its supporters, but many miss the immense sense of isolation and fear that the original offered. Despite introducing new elements, such as land exploration, these additions have received mixed feedback, sometimes feeling like a divergence from what made the original so captivating. Overall, the game is a worthy experience for fans who desire more Subnautica, but it might not satisfy those looking for the riveting magic of the first game.

Positive Points

  • The game maintains the core gameplay loop, visual style, and environmental storytelling that fans of the original Subnautica enjoyed.
  • Below Zero offers immersive underwater exploration with stunning visuals and richly detailed biomes.
  • The narrative-driven approach with fully voiced characters adds depth to the storyline.
  • There's an increased emphasis on land exploration, adding new dimensions and challenges to the experience.
  • The game features beautiful graphics and captivating creature designs.

    • Negative Points

  • Many players find the map smaller, making the exploration less expansive and reducing the feeling of vastness from the original game.
  • The story is often criticized for being lackluster and not as compelling as the original, with some feeling it lacks depth.
  • The game is perceived by some as less scary compared to the first Subnautica, losing some of the terror and isolation elements.
  • The Seatruck, intended to replace other vehicles, is seen as cumbersome and doesn't fulfill the roles of its predecessors well.
  • There are frequent mentions of game crashes and technical issues, including graphical glitches and poor optimization.

    • Mixed Points

  • The land sections are a new addition but received mixed feedback for being either refreshing or poorly executed.
  • Some players appreciate the new talkative protagonist, but others miss the sense of isolation from a silent main character.
  • The changes in story direction and added voice acting have been divisive; some enjoy the new narrative focus while others believe it detracts from the core exploration focus.

    • Common Themes

  • Comparison with the original Subnautica is inevitable, with many reviews discussing the differences in scope, narrative, and gameplay.
  • The game's aesthetics and environmental design are frequently praised, highlighting the attention to visual detail.
  • Players have differing opinions on the impact of the new survival elements like temperature management and the extent of land exploration.
    • Updated 4/4/2026, 12:01:03 AM UTC
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