Subnautica 2

Subnautica 2 is an open-world underwater survival game currently being developed by Unknown Worlds and the first full sequel to the original Subnautica. Early Access for Subnautica 2 was announced on October 17th, 2024, and released on May 14th, 2026. It is unlikely that Subnautica 2 will be available for Playstation ahead of its full release, as Playstation does not offer previews like Xbox or Early Access titles like PC. The Early Access period is expected to last 2-3 years, and will follow the same update structure as the previous two entries in the series.

Unlike its Unity-based predecessors, Subnautica 2 is made in Unreal Engine 5. It also is the first in the franchise to feature an official, optional multiplayer mode, with support for up to four players and no PvP.

There are currently no plans for Subnautica 2 to have VR support. Season passes, battle passes, subscriptions, and/or microtransactions will not be added to the game at any point. No generative AI will be used during the game's development.

Not much is currently known about Subnautica 2's setting, other than that it takes place sometime after the events of both Subnautica: Below Zero and Natural Selection on an all-new, unknown moon; characters, locations, creatures, and vehicles from previous entries will not return.

Store Description

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 developed by Unknown Worlds, the studio behind the award-winning Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero. Our journey began with the 2003 Half-Life mod Natural Selection, and today we have evolved into a fully remote, globally distributed team spanning from the United States to the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and beyond. Defined by a philosophy of open development and over a decade of community-focused innovation, we invite you to dive back into the depths with a studio dedicated to pushing the boundaries of the survival genre.

Welcome aboard, Pioneer.

Gallery

Store Screenshots

Store Screenshots (Old)

Development Screenshots

Time Capsule Screenshots

Concept Art

Promotional Art

System Requirements

For a more in-depth look at system requirements (including Ultra and Ultra++ options), click here.

Trivia

• Subnautica 2's Early Access release was originally slated for 2025, with an Unknown Worlds blog post announcing the delay to 2026 in July of 2025. According to the post, the decision was made to delay the game after internal playtests revealed several areas still in need of improvement, however it was later revealed in a lawsuit to have been part of a hostile takeover plan by the CEO of Krafton to avoid paying a bonus that had been promised to the Unknown Worlds team.
• Community concerns regarding Subnautica 2 potentially featuring monetization strategies (battle passes, subscriptions, microtransactions, etc.) first arose when publisher Krafton listed the game as following a "Game-as-a-Service" model in one of its financial reports. Shortly after, the developers released a blog post that stated the following: "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."
  • These concerns were raised once again when it was reported that Unknown Worlds would be undergoing leadership changes in July of 2025, prompting another developer response. In addition to easing concerns regarding these changes, it was also reiterated that "[Subnautica 2] will remain a single-player first experience, with optional co-operative multiplayer. No subscriptions. No loot boxes. No battle pass. No microtransactions."
  • At least one developer has gone on to say that this delay should not shorten the projected Early Access length of 2-3 years.
  • This leadership change has since been undone by a judge following a successful lawsuit by the original founders of Unknown Worlds.
• A number of developers have been confirmed to return for Subnautica 2.
  • Concept artist Alex Ries, known for designing many of Subnautica: Below Zero's fauna.
  • Song artist Ben Prunty, who composed the soundtrack for Subnautica: Below Zero.
    • Several tracks composed by Ben for Subnautica 2 can already be heard in the background of the game's Dev Vlogs.
• Beginning in July of 2024, multiple new Time Capsules were discovered by Subnautica players, each seemingly featuring a close-up screenshot of an unknown creature from Subnautica 2. These Time Capsules were soon acknowledged by developer Scott MacDonald on the Steam forums.
  • Each time capsule features the hashtag "PEEPERSRULE" in their description.
  • Each time capsule has the name "TC" followed by a string of numbers. When these numbers are converted to text through the use of a hexadecimal translator, the creature's apparent name is revealed: "WATERSLUG." The name was later confirmed directly by Scott MacDonald.
• On December 15th, 2024, a post was made on all major social media platforms, as well as the Unknown Worlds blog, announcing a giveaway of 200 Subnautica 2 themed T-shirts.
• On May 2nd, 2026, a number of launch events coinciding with the Early Access release of Subnautica 2 were announced, all of which include in-game prizes that reference the original Subnautica.
  • Watching the Pre-Launch Showcase live on May 9th for 20 minutes on Twitch earned players an in-game blueprint for the Seamoth Decoration statue.
  • Winners of the "Leviathan Awakens" art contest will earn an in-game Sea Dragon Leviathan poster blueprint, as well as real-life plushes of the Reaper Leviathan, Peeper, and Bladderfish from Youtooz.
    • An additional, non-referential prize for this particular event will involve the first place winner's design being made into an in-game poster.
  • Reaching 100,000 applicants on the Alterra Career Aptitude Test (A.C.A.T.) will earn all players an in-game Lost River poster blueprint.
    • The requisite number of applicants was reached in approximately 3 hours post-announcement.