Subnautica 2 Early Access – Everything You Need to Know

by

After several delays and legal issues between its creators and Krafton, Unknown Worlds is finally releasing Subnautica 2 into early access on May 14th. It will be available on Xbox Series X/S and PC, and will also be included with Game Pass. This new installment is much more expansive and improved compared to previous games. Let’s explore everything you need to know, starting with its setting.

Zezura

Like past games, this one takes place on a new planet called Zezura. The developers describe it as a cold world covered in high-altitude salt flats and alkaline soil. Surprisingly, water isn’t missing – it’s found in deep lakes hidden within cracks in the planet’s surface. These lakes extend kilometers underground and are connected by a network of tunnels. This setup could lead to some exciting exploration, especially since previous gameplay has focused mostly on underwater areas.

The Tree

There’s this huge tree you might have noticed in the game’s trailer – it rises out of the water with enormous roots. Noah, the AI assistant who really pushes you to finish the mission, warns against swimming towards it if you feel drawn to it. It’s a mystery – what is it, and why does it seem to be beckoning? We probably won’t get all the answers during the initial release, as only part of the story will be available then, but it has a similar, unsettling feel to the atmosphere in stories like Southern Reach.

Multiple Different Biomes

What’s most exciting about Zezura isn’t just learning about the different environments, but the details themselves. Since Subnautica 2 is all about underwater exploration, while the salt flats and plateaus might be important, I’m really curious about the deep lakes linked by aqueducts – where do they go? Are the hints about the Void, which seems to make up most of the planet, accurate? And what’s this incredibly deep “wet desert”? We’ll have to explore and discover the answers for ourselves.

Character Choices

The game will launch with four different characters to choose from, and we plan to add even more during early access. You’ll also be able to customize how your character looks, which is a big improvement over our previous games that only featured one unchangeable character.

The Tadpole

The Tadpole looks a bit like the Seamoth, but it’s a completely different kind of submersible. It’s smaller and you can really customize it, even adding parts like the wings shown in the game trailer. Plus, your friends can attach themselves to it, which is convenient for them since they’d rather not bother with their own vehicles.

4-Player Co-op

Just so you know, Subnautica 2 will let up to four players team up for co-op. However, this is meant to be an optional feature, so the game will still focus on a single-player experience if that’s how you prefer to play – just like the previous games.

Revamped Base-Building

Building a base is a key part of most survival crafting games, and Subnautica is the same. For the new sequel, the developers completely reworked the base-building system. Instead of using pre-made shapes – even for things like windows – they’re focusing on a more freeform, sculpted approach. They have plans for even more customization, like painting and colored lights, and the ability to control lighting. But when the early access version launches, players can expect a lot of freedom to design their bases however they like.

New Leviathans

The massive Leviathans were always the most impressive creatures in past games, relentlessly pursuing players. Subnautica 2 will continue this tradition with several new Leviathans available from the start. The Collector Leviathan is a key example – it grabs players with its tentacles and crushes them. We’ve also seen a glimpse of a gigantic clam that slowly closes to trap anyone nearby. Expect even more variety in creature design than before, though it’s unlikely familiar threats like the Reaper will return as active enemies – they may appear as decorations instead.

Developed on Unreal Engine 5

Unlike previous Subnautica games built with Unity, the sequel is now running on Unreal Engine 5, taking advantage of features like Nanite. This makes a noticeable difference in the game’s visuals – environments are incredibly detailed, lighting and shadows are realistic, and the sea creatures look amazing. As always, the developers are focused on ensuring the game runs smoothly, which leads us to…

PC Requirements

The new game is quite large, already taking up over 50 GB of space – more than double the size of the original Subnautica. To run it, you’ll need at least an Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 processor, 12 GB of RAM, and a GeForce GTX 1660 6GB or Radeon RX 5500 XT 6GB graphics card to play at 1080p resolution with low settings and 30 frames per second. For a smoother experience at 1440p resolution with medium settings and 60 frames per second, a Core i7-13700 or Ryzen 7 7700X processor, 16 GB of RAM, and an RTX 3070 8GB or RX 6700 XT 8GB graphics card are recommended. These requirements seem fairly standard so far.

Ultra 4K Requirements

To get the best graphics, you’ll need a powerful computer. For high settings at 1440p resolution and 60 frames per second, you’ll need an RTX 4070 or RX 6900XT graphics card, plus 32 GB of RAM. If you want to play at 4K resolution with the same high settings and frame rate, you’ll need a Core i9-14900K or Ryzen 9 7900X3D processor, 32 GB of RAM, and either an RTX 5070 Ti or RX 7900XTX graphics card.

More Content Than Past Early Access Launches

Beyond its overall scale, Subnautica 2 will offer more content at launch than the original Subnautica and Below Zero did when they first entered early access. Lead designer Anthony Gallegos has confirmed that the sequel will feature a greater variety of environments, creatures (including massive Leviathans), items to craft, and vehicles.

Over 20 Hours of Playtime

So, how long will it take to play? The developers at Unknown Worlds initially planned for about 12 hours of gameplay during early access, but they’ve far exceeded that. Internal playtests have averaged over 20 hours, with some players spending as much as 70 hours exploring everything the game has to offer. If you like to take your time and really delve into a game, you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied.

No Battle Passes or Paid Subscriptions

Even though the game now has co-op, the developers quickly explained that when they talk about ‘games as a service,’ they simply mean they plan to support and update Subnautica 2 for a long time. Unlike some other games, there won’t be any season passes, battle passes, or ongoing subscription fees. You’ll buy the game once when it’s in early access, and that purchase will give you access to all future updates.

Early Access Duration

According to Gallegos, the game will stay in early access for a minimum of two years. During this time, Unknown Worlds plans to continually improve it with new content and updates. They emphasize this is a minimum timeframe, as development could take longer – particularly while they incorporate player suggestions and strive to create the highest quality game possible.

Read More

2026-05-14 21:13