Subnautica 2’s development team, Unknown Worlds Entertainment, shared key details regarding their highly anticipated sequel. In Subnautica 2’s first dev vlog, Design Lead Anthony Gallegos laid out some detailed plans for the scope and development of the game.
He made clear that Subnautica 2 will offer an expanded underwater survival experience, while keying in on the addition of multiplayer co-op, moving over to Unreal Engine 5 for a new world, and privileging player feedback throughout the early access phase.
The first Subnautica game garnered significant adoration from survival genre fans. There’s simply nothing out there quite like the anxiety-inducing atmosphere that Subnautica provides. Its a masterclass in creating tension with surprises around many corners.
t does all that while simultaneously allowing players the creative freedom base-building games offer. As an award winning title, Subnautica’s sequel has a strong legacy to live up to.
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Journey below the depths with friends
The most exciting reveal of the Subnautica 2 dev vlog is the introduction of multiplayer co-op. For everything that the original Subnautica got right, it didn’t expand itself out to multiplayer, most likely because it focused so heavily on a horror-esque atmosphere. The dark, unknown depths of the ocean hit a little bit different going down there alone than with a buddy.
But, for Subnautica 2, there is at least the choice of gameplay between the two options. For those who want to maintain a solitary, horror-centered experience, then solo play will still work just fine. And for those that maybe want a partner, or a group of friends, to lighten up the scary-load, Subnautica 2 obliges.
“Whether you choose to play solo or with friends, we hope each descent into the depths is more thrilling than ever.”
Survival horror as a co-op experience has done well in recent years. Games like Phasmophobia and Lethal Company prove that tension is not always sacrificed at the altar of cooperation. Subnautica does, however, benefit a bit more from solitary play than other survival horror games, simply based on the nature of the ocean. It’s a place where light does not penetrate to the ground, shrouding mysteries in unfathomable darkness.
Early Access development plans
A major part of Unknown Worlds Entertainment’s press release details how Subnautica 2 will be developed and released. Similar to Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero, development of Subnautica 2 will happen throughout an extended early access phase. This means that a very early, working build of the game will be playable long before its full, official release.
one in the best ways, early access development allows teams to implement ideas and quickly get robust feedback on them. It turns out, fans have really valuable input that can directly influence games.
As Gallegos puts it, “You’ll be there when we first add new vehicles, craftables, biomes, and leviathans. And you’ll be able to tell us exactly what you think as we continue to develop the game alongside you.”
On the flip side, early access games can have a negative connotation. Some of them charge full price for a game that never quite releases as a full product, or evolve into a games-as-a-service model filled to the brim with battle passes, microtransactions, and seasonal events. Some fan concerns arose for Subnautica 2 when its publisher, Krafton, announced that it would be following a games-as-a-service model.
However, Unknown Worlds Entertainment came out with a statement detailing that, “In reference to ‘Games-as-a-Service,’ we simply plan to continually update the game for many years to come, just like the previous two Subnautica games. Think our Early Access update model, expanded. No season passes. No battle passes. No Subscription.”
In overview, Gallegos excitedly proclaimed, “The whole team believes that Subnautica 2 is shaping up to be our biggest and most ambitious Subnautica game ever.”
It seems like Subnautica 2 is well on its way to being a worthy sequel to its predecessor.
