🌊Subnautica 2

Four survivors, one alien ocean, something enormous circling below.

9.1 / 10

1–4 players

🔨Survival + Craft👻Horror

Players

1–4

Released

May 14, 2026

Developer

Unknown Worlds Entertainment

Price

$29.99

Multi-playerCo-opOnline Co-opCross-Platform MultiplayerFull controller support

The original Subnautica was solo by design; the sequel was built for four. Strand your crew on an alien water world, build underwater bases, explore ruins, and manage oxygen — all while something in the abyss grows curious. The deep ocean does the horror for free. Early Access since May 2025; 93% positive on 100k+ reviews at launch.

More from Steam →

Subnautica 2 is an underwater survival adventure game set on an all-new alien world. It is the next chapter in the Subnautica universe, developed by Unknown Worlds. Driven from your home by ongoing conflict, Alterra offers you the chance at a new life. But as the colony ship CICADA shepherds you and your fellow Pioneers to your new home, something goes awry. The ship’s AI insists that your mission should continue. Stranded and faced with near-insurmountable odds, you must do everything in your power to survive. The future of humanity on this world is in your hands. PLAY ALONE OR WITH FRIENDS Subnautica 2 is being crafted as a single-player experience that you can optionally play in online co-operative multiplayer with up to three friends. You can choose from four pre-designed characters, with more characters and customization options coming throughout Early Access. Work together to explore long-forgotten ruins and learn to adapt to a planet that might not want you there. ADAPT TO SURVIVE To survive the depths and make this planet your home, you’ll need to utilize all the tools at your disposal. Traverse vibrant and breathtaking biomes with your Tadpole submersible. Design and customize bases to return to when your adventures push you beyond the safety of shallow waters. As Early Access develops, so too will your array of tools, equipment, and vehicles. Upgrades will help push you beyond your boundaries and unlock the secrets of this strange world. EXPLORE THE UNKNOWN Scan and study a rich world of biodiversity to understand life here. Discover everything from the smallest creatures to towering Leviathans. Experience the wonder, and sometimes danger, lurking around every corner. Every dive is an opportunity to uncover why the ship's AI is so determined to continue the mission and what mysteries lie beneath the surface of this breathtaking new frontier. DESIGNED FOR EARLY ACCESS Subnautica 2 is an Early Access title in active development. Throughout this journey, we will continuously expand the world with additional biomes, creatures, and craftables, while expanding the narrative. You may encounter bugs, in-development features, and performance issues. Your feedback is the cornerstone of our development process. Join us and help shape the next chapter of the Subnautica universe. CRAFTED BY UNKNOWN WORLDS Subnautica 2 is being develop…

Open in Steam

🎧Footsteps and callouts decide this one. Hear everything — our pick: HyperX Cloud III

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Quickstart

How to actually play this with friends — written by Claude.

## Set it up - Install via Steam (Early Access); host co-op from the main menu and invite up to three friends — vanilla already supports the full four-player crew - No mods needed yet — it's still Early Access, so expect patches to shift balance and systems under you - Cover oxygen tank and scanner basics in the tutorial before diving deep; unlike the original, you're never really playing this one solo

## Your first session - Stay shallow on day one — build a basic base near your lifepod and scan nearby wildlife before anyone goes hunting for deep trenches - Split jobs naturally: someone manages base building and power, someone scans for blueprints, someone keeps an eye on the group's oxygen levels - Don't let anyone wander off alone into deep, dark water early — whatever's circling below notices lone swimmers first

## Group size advice - Four is the intended crew size — the sequel was built from scratch for a full squad, unlike the solo original - Two players works well for a quieter, more deliberate exploration pace - The ocean does the horror for free, so even a casual group will feel real tension by the first deep dive

Gear picks

Gear up for Subnautica 2

🎧

A headset your squad can actually hearProximity chat is the whole game. Hear the footsteps behind you, and stop the crackle that gets you muted.Our pick: HyperX Cloud III →On a budget: Razer BlackShark V2 X →

🖱️

A wireless mouse that won't die mid-raidSurvival-crafting and extraction runs are long. A light wireless mouse with a long battery life keeps you in it.Our pick: Logitech G305 Lightspeed →

🎙️

A USB mic for the shot-callerIf you're the one making the calls (or lying through social deduction), a desk mic beats any headset boom.Our pick: FIFINE AmpliGame AM8 →On a budget: TONOR TC310 USB microphone →

🎮

A controller for the party gamesPhysics chaos, sports slop and couch-style co-op play better on a pad. Works with Steam right out of the box.Our pick: Xbox Wireless Controller →On a budget: GameSir G7 SE →

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