After a long and rather storied path, Subnautica 2 is finally out in early access, allowing people to once again test how deep their fear of the ocean goes. Or learn that they actually have a fear of the sea.
For those new to the series, Subnautica is a game that tasks the player with navigating an unexplored ocean that is teeming with life and mysteries. Players do this alone, with no other NPCs to keep them company, beyond audio logs and an AI system that provides helpful tips and guidance.
Familiar Foundations in the Ocean Deep
Stranded on a waterlogged planet, there isn’t much else to do beyond explore, gather resources, and build a base to help brave the storms ahead. In this regard, Subnautica 2 is incredibly similar to the first game; the original Subnautica. Crafting, gathering resources, and building a habitat to live in all use essentially the same mechanics. The starting life pod comes equipped with a crafting terminal to create essential tools and basic supplies.
A scanner can be used to analyze aquatic life and resources in the environment, while a habitat builder allows you to create structures that provide ample space for storage and other more advanced equipment. Fully customizable, buildings have the option to add windows and viewing spaces to admire the sea life from a safe distance as well.
Non-Lethal Defense
The first major departure from the first Subnautica is in the combat system. Now the game has never been about fighting and hunting down large fish. Combat was limited in the first game but it was possible to kill virtually every fish with the starting survival knife. In Subnautica 2, the survival knife has been replaced with the multi-tool and the majority of creatures the player encounters can’t be killed.
Instead, non-lethal items, such as flares or even a sonic-canon, can be used to briefly stun or distract hostile fish. But there is no way to kill them. This has led to a large amount of discourse online, with the developer, Unknown Worlds Entertainment, defending the decision as they want to preserve the sense of vulnerability in the game.
While that’s a respectable reason, the limited effectiveness of the current tools in game need some tweaking. The first item to distract fish that players get access to are flares, but the issue with that is that the inventory system does not allow for item stacking. This limits how much can be effectively carried and pushes less patient players, such as myself, to just constantly run from fish instead of dealing with them and fully exploring the environment.
Unknown Worlds Entertainment has said they are looking to expand on options for defense and improve the effectiveness of what already exists.
I don’t anticipate them adding combat to the game, but finding fun ways to properly defend bases and ward off creatures will be a critical feature to refine throughout early access. I personally find the resistance to adding any kind of combat a little odd when it is still possible to grab smaller fish and eat them whole, or slurp up slugs for water from the sea floor. That honestly sounds much worse than simply harpooning a fish.
Diving with Friends into the Deep
While that change was a divisive one, Subnautica 2 also brings with it co-op gameplay; a massively requested feature in the past. Exploring the sea floor with a friend is an incredibly fun way to play the game. Resources can be shared and scanning new fish and recipes unlocks them for all players.
However, there are genetic upgrades that need to be unlocked for progression, and these must be interacted with by each player. This helps balance the gameplay so that players can work independently of each other, but still need to meet up to pursue major goals.
Vehicles for exploration also make a return and these are designed to accommodate multiple players. One person drives while the other holds on to the outside. Players clipped to the outside of the vehicle have their oxygen continuously filled as well, so the driver doesn’t need to worry about accidentally drowning their friends.
All together, the addition of co-op is a major boon for the game and is currently an incredibly fun way to experience Subnautica 2.
A Worthy Early Access Successor
Whether with a friend or solo, there is a sizable chunk of story already present in the game to experience. It takes about 15-20 hours to get through currently and more is planned, as the Early Access period moves forward. Base building features several unique modules and structures, which will surely be expanded but already features a healthy variety of options. While the combat or defensive measures could use some fine-tuning, it’s not hopeless as is, and avoiding fish so far hasn’t felt too unpleasant.
Subnautica 2 is shaping up to be a worthy successor to the first game. There’s more work to be done, but things are on the right track. If you enjoyed the original, or are looking for a new game world to get lost in, try out Subnautica 2 for yourself.
