Early Access Release


Video: Early Access Trailer

Early Access Release was the original launch of Subnautica 2 into Early Access on May 14, 2026. This update introduced the foundational survival mechanics, exploration tools, and biological systems that define the game.

Features

PC & Xbox

• Early Access officially released.

Adaptations

Players can utilize various adaptations to survive the harsh environments:

• Pressure Tolerance
• Digestion
• Heat Tolerance
• Axum Vision

Biomods

Biomods are divided into Active and Passive categories:

Active Biomods

• Dash
• Pathfinder
• Sonic Echo
• Electric Discharge
• Chum Cloud

Passive Biomods

• Sea Skimmer
• Oxygen Control
• Bioluminescence
• Camouflage
• Water Retention
• Homing Sense
• Threat Sense
• Dermal Garden
• Slow Metabolism
• Water Secretion

Lifeforms

A wide variety of marine life was introduced, categorized by type:

Arthropods

• Deepwing Brooder

Cephalopods

• Collector Leviathan

Crustaceans

• Jetocaris, Coral Crab, Periscopic Clowncrab, Cerathecan, Tongue Thief, Sandspear, Crimson Shrimp, Teal Cycloplet, Locust, Microshrimp

Fish

• Bluemoon, Halfmoon, Hammerhead, Harvestmoon, Mirror Halfmoon, Fluttertail, Pelagic Ghost, Waxmoon, Bullethead, Epicurean, Foureye, Houndgar, Hoverthorn, Blackthorn, Needler Mango, Pneuma, Twin Sitaray
• Leviathans: Shiver Leviathan (including Shiver Male)

Jellies

• Surge Jelly, Hycean, Jelly Ring, BFJ

Mangos

• Marrowbreach, Nibbler Mango

Molluscs

• Water Slug, Great Jaw, Stagged Mephit

Salpapods

• Geordie, Electric Geordie, Quadrate

Water Slugs

• Flash Slug

Sessile

• Titan Rockbore, World Tree, Gateway Spire, Freesia Flower

Algae

• Aster Scyllid

Anomaly

• Pent

Coral

• Branching Coral, Cage Gorgon, Coral Dome, Radiator Coral, Curtain Gorgon, Noon Gorgon, Dragon's Scale Coral, Tallshroom, Listening Gorgon

Additional Flora & Fauna

• Jellies: Jelly Lei, Necrolei, Stilt Orb
• Kelp: Feather Kelp, Fern Kelp, False Fission Drum, Wort Wort
• Pylons: Mimic Pylon
• Raions: Acid Raion, Donut of Worms, Donut, No Worms, Flagon Spraion, Whip Gorgon, Tripe-bowl Raion
• Rotsacs: Cherimoya Rotsac, Lucifer Rotsac
• Sponges: Aeroshell Sponge, Apocalypse Sponge, Macaron Sponge, Pebbled Sporal, Jack Sponge, Toxic Sponge, Amphora Sponge
• Starfish: Cabbage Shootroot, Cradle Shootroot
• Tunics: Hecaton Tunic, Oxygen Tunic, Dangling Salp
• Worms: Awnworm, Fridge Worm

Structures & Bases

Lifepod

• The starting point for survivors.

Pioneer Seabases Pre-existing structures found in the world:

• Welcome Center
• Camp One
• Hot Cave Basecamp
• Old Habitat
• Research Outpost
• Tadpole Pens

Colonist Bunkers Hidden bunkers containing lore and resources:

• Colonist Bunker (Anita's Garden)
• Colonist Bunker (Nahema's Lab)
• Colonist Bunker (Quaker's Meetinghouse)
• Colonist Bunker (Salvage)
• Colonist Bunker (Unauthorized NoA Modification)
• Colonist Bunker (Sophie's Retreat)

Regions & Biomes

Coral Gardens

• Shallows: Includes Shallows Caves
• Dolerite Spires
• Plateaus: Includes Plateaus Caves
• Graveyard: Includes Graveyard Caves
• Necrolei Hills
• Lead Zone
• Anemone Hills

Intermediary Basin

• Tar Cascades

Karakorum Region

• Overgrown Ruins: Includes Needler Nest
• Karakorum Power Plant
• Root Canyon: Includes Thermal Vent Clusters
• Karakorum Metal Farms: Includes Silver Mines

Tools

New tools designed for survival and interaction:

• Survival Multitool
• Bioscanner
• Sonic Resonator
• Feedback Resonator
• Wakemaker
• Returning tools from Subnautica

Vehicles

• Tadpole
  • Scout Ray Chassis
  • Tadpole Haul Chassis

Trivia

• Originally, the internal launch date for Early Access was scheduled for August 14, 2025.¹