Sub-Species is Subnautica Meets Space Invaders

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Games that explore the deep ocean are instantly captivating, playing on our natural wonder about the unknown creatures and environments hidden beneath the surface. The newly announced game, Sub-Species, from Howling Hamster Entertainment, fully embraces this sense of mystery. It’s a 2.5D underwater shooter that blends a retro aesthetic with modern game design. The recent trailer showcases a stylish and atmospheric world that feels both otherworldly and intensely claustrophobic.

What immediately stands out about Sub-Species is its unique combination of relaxing, tense exploration – like in Subnautica – and fast-paced, action-packed combat reminiscent of Space Invaders. You control a submarine that can rotate a full 360 degrees as you venture deep beneath the ocean, facing hostile alien creatures that attack on sight. The game balances careful exploration with intense, all-around combat, creating a compelling sense of both isolation and desperate survival – a combination rarely seen in underwater games.

Underwater Exploration With an Arcade Heart

In the underwater world of Sub-Species, a devastating alien outbreak has occurred, and the game expertly captures a feeling of both fear and awe. You’ll explore dangerous, contaminated areas, navigate ruined buildings, discover the remains of lost teams, and investigate technology best left untouched. The game strongly emphasizes atmosphere, with levels that feel carefully designed, uneven, and unpredictable, constantly driving you to discover what terrifying creatures lurk around the next corner.

This is where Subnautica truly stands out in comparison. The game creates a dark, isolated, and eerily quiet world, punctuated by bursts of vibrant, almost alien life. It gives players the feeling of exploring an extraterrestrial planet, all while remaining on Earth. This design choice is ideal for an underwater setting, capturing the wonder of ocean exploration while simultaneously building tension as you shine your light into the unknown.

While Sub-Species features exploration of desolate environments, it quickly transforms into a fast-paced, action-packed experience. You freely control a submarine, able to shoot in any direction as enemies attack from all sides. The combat is reminiscent of arcade classics like Space Invaders, demanding quick reflexes and strategic thinking when facing multiple threats simultaneously. This combination of peaceful tension and sudden, chaotic battles could offer a unique and engaging rhythm not often found in the genre.

This game emphasizes strategy and clever tools over simply shooting your way through challenges. Things like mines, flares, quick dodges, and carefully managing your resources add depth to the combat. You’ll be making choices about when to take risks, conserve supplies, target specific objectives, or retreat and reorganize. This blend of a dangerous environment and fast-paced action is what makes it feel similar to classic Space Invaders.

A Retro Spirit With Modern Presentation

What really makes Sub-Species stand out is how openly it embraces its classic influences. It’s clearly inspired by older shooters like Sub-Terrania, but combines that retro feel with up-to-date graphics and a fast-paced experience. The underwater setting naturally creates suspense, and the developers are focused on making each area feel unique and carefully designed, rather than simply repeating visuals.

Currently in development for PC, Sub-Species will soon have a playable demo on Steam. Even from what we’ve seen so far, the game has a unique look and feel that sets it apart. Underwater shooters aren’t common, and this one is especially interesting because it combines exploration, old-school combat, and a genuinely unsettling atmosphere. If you enjoy discovering strange new worlds while facing intense, classic arcade-style challenges, Sub-Species is one to watch.

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2025-12-12 18:14