Subnautica 2, a survival crafting game set on an underwater alien planet, launched into early access on May 16, selling more than 2 million copies within the first 12 hours of release [1, 2]. Developed by Unknown Worlds, the game features underwater exploration, resource gathering, gear crafting, and a sci-fi story players uncover while managing limited lung capacity underwater [3, 4, 5, 6, 7].
Players progress by following signals from a NoA device, locating blackboxes and points of interest to advance through the main storyline [3]. Gameplay includes crafting specialized tools like the Sonic Resonator, unlocking biomods to enhance character skills, and building underwater bases [3, 5, 6, 7]. The early access release also introduced a co-op multiplayer mode, allowing players to survive together rather than alone, which adds a new social layer to the experience [8, 4, 1, 2].
Initial impressions have been positive, with players praising the fun survival experience despite some current limitations in map size, equipment, and craftables [4, 6, 7]. Unknown Worlds published an early access roadmap, which outlines upcoming updates. The first major update, version 1.1, will focus on quality-of-life improvements such as enhancing the biomods system, refining blight encounters, improving wreck gameplay, vehicle docking mechanics, PDA datalog priority, adding more passive biomod slots, storage caches, and sprint functionality [8, 1, 2].
Following this, version 1.2 will emphasize co-op features, adding HUD signals for players, a base builder tool, pinned crafting recipes, voice chat, emotes, player trading, player revive, and more customization options [8, 1, 2]. Unknown Worlds stated, "So, as we build towards the next big drop that expands on the world, biomes, creatures, resources, tools, vehicles, and brings you the next chapter of the story, we'll be planning on adding several improvement updates in the meantime!" [8]
Later in the early access period, major expansions will introduce a new region with different biomes, additional creatures, new resources, tools, a new vehicle, and further developments in the storyline [8, 1, 2]. However, the developer has not provided a specific timeframe for any of these updates or expansions yet, noting the roadmap is subject to change [8, 1, 2].
Subnautica 2’s story builds on environmental storytelling with more compelling narrative elements and interesting characters, though players have yet to see the full story revealed [4, 7]. The game remains available now on early access, with further updates expected in the coming months as Unknown Worlds expands the underwater world and co-op experience.
