So here it is: a spoiler-free first impression of Subnautica 2. TL;DR: It’s relaxing, fun, and addictive (without the nasty side effects).
What is the gameplay of Subnautica 2 like?
Subnautica 2 is all about exploration, so if you’re into fast action, you might struggle with the relaxed pace of the game. Without spoiling the story, I can say that you are set out to discover an underwater world and find a way to survive in the alien place you have ended up in. The game doesn’t spoon-feed you on how to succeed, but it does enough to help you find your way while still letting you feel smart about your progress. You will quickly get your scanner and start learning how everything works. It’s a very natural introduction that pulls you into the game right from the beginning.
The game also has a smart way of keeping you in a relatively safe area without letting you drift too far away. You can always find your way back, even though you begin with a limited oxygen supply. That might feel like a restriction, but it actually teaches you to be careful. Discovery comes first, understanding second, and being confident is the final stage. That really ties in with the story build-up, and I really like that you have to dip your toes in first before taking that deep dive.
You also have to monitor your dehydration and nutrition levels (although you can choose to play without hunger and thirst when you start a new game). To be honest, sometimes it was a bit annoying to manage the small inventory and keep your levels in check, but you will eventually find ways to better defend yourself against the elements. You will soon acquire much-needed equipment, which improves your survival rate drastically. If you do die, the penalty isn’t that high, and I found the balance to be both relaxing and addictive.
What is base building like?
When we talk about addictive gameplay elements, base building is always a good candidate... if it’s done right. Subnautica 2 has a nice and intuitive way of building your underwater home. You have to gather materials and scan everything you find to get blueprints; you can create pretty much everything you discover. I had built my base in no time and was only held back by a lack of materials.
Speaking of materials, it can be quite a struggle to find the right ones. As I’ve explained, your inventory isn't that big in the beginning, so managing everything can be tricky. For example, I thought I had titanium in abundance until I started building the base. You will probably also have some trouble finding rare materials, but keep in mind that Subnautica 2 isn’t about rushing. Still, it feels like developer Unknown Worlds hasn’t quite reached the sweet spot of material placement in the world yet.
What about the graphics and sound of Subnautica 2?
In my opinion, Subnautica 2 looks great (on the Xbox Series X). It still has that stylized design, which works well. If you're expecting a hyper-realistic approach, you won’t find it here, but I don’t think that would fit the vibe. It can get a bit dark at times, but that adds to the atmosphere. All in all, the vast undersea world is impressive. I love the sea life, environments, water effects, and small details like the air bubbles.
Unreal Engine 5 is doing its job, and I am impressed by the fact that I haven’t seen any glitches yet, especially for an Early Access game. The sound is also very fitting. You get clear cues when you’re in danger, and the background music is dynamic but mostly relaxing. The narrating voice is a bit annoying and at times a bit too helpful, but all in all, Subnautica 2 looks and sounds great.
Subnautica 2 so far
I have truly enjoyed my experience with Subnautica 2, and I am eager to expand my base and further explore the underwater world. Unknown Worlds has created an Early Access version that is in great shape. I also can’t wait to try the co-op multiplayer and discover the world with three friends.
Subnautica 2 (Game Preview) is available now for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. I've played the game on my Xbox Series X.
This article was written by a human and edited by Gemini 1.5 Flash.
Disclaimer: All content is created with the help of AI. Be aware of possible hallucinations or factual errors. When in doubt, always check with official sources.
