Subnautica 2 is a new survival game coming to us from developer Unknown Worlds that will plunge us into the depths of an alien planet. Set to arrive in Early Access sometime in 2025, the adventure was first teased back in 2024, and since then, we've gotten to learn a lot more about what's in store for us.
The previous games in the series are counted among some of the best survival games around, with Subnautica 2 set to follow on from the events of the original game, Subnautica: Below Zero, and Natural Selection. Just like the games that came before it, we'll have to navigate unknown dangers in an alien world and try to stay alive as we explore. From multiple dev diaries, gameplay teasers, and some very atmospheric trailers, this Subnautica sequel looks set to introduce new features in a hand-crafted world. We can expect to see new Leviathans, vehicles, and the addition of multiplayer for the first time in the "biggest and most ambitious" adventure yet.
It's all very exciting, and despite the fact that we're still waiting for a solid release date, it's certainly shaping up to be one of the new games for 2025 to watch out for. For an overview of everything we know so far about Subnautica 2, read on below.
Subnautica 2 release date speculation
Currently, Subnautica 2 is expected to release in Early Access sometime in 2025. This news came our way during the October 2024 Xbox Partner Showcase, along with a new trailer for the upcoming game.
Currently, you can wishlist the game already, so you can head on over to your platform of choice to track the new underwater adventure. We also got a Subnautica 2 Dev Vlog a few months ago, which reaffirmed that the 2025 release window for Early Access is still very much a thing despite the months of silence that we've had since the trailer first dropped. You can watch the vlog for yourself down below.
In the clip, we learn that the game is considered to be the team's "biggest" and "most ambitious Subnautica game" yet. Players are invited to provide feedback once they get their hands on the game, as development is planned to continue during the Early Access period as well.
It's all very exciting, and from the sounds of it, we are only a few months away from getting our hands on this one. In the meantime, you can also read our Subnautica review if you want a recap of the first alien outing.
Subnautica 2 platforms
Subnautica 2 is set to arrive on PC and Xbox Series X/S once it launches in Early Access sometime this year.
Sadly, there's no news on any PS5 support just yet, and there's also no Switch 2 news on whether fans can expect the game to come to the new-gen console among the lineup of upcoming Switch 2 games. However, that doesn't mean that we'll never see the title on those platforms in the future.
The first Subnautica became available on both PS5 and Nintendo Switch eventually. And since both also support Unreal Engine 5 (which Subnautica 2 is being developed with), there's still hope for a future announcement regarding additional platforms for the new game. Stay tuned for updates!
Subnautica 2 trailer
So far, the only thing we've had in the way of a Subnautica 2 trailer is a short teaser that was revealed during the October 2024 Xbox Partner Showcase.
In the clip above we see two humans in the deep – reminding us all that the new game will be multiplayer! The clip also shows off a player piloting what looks to be a Prawn Suit. Finally, we also see what looks to be a new Leviathan as a large tentacle monster with a purple glowing head revealed itself towards the end of the teaser.
Hopefully, we get a full trailer soon, but for now, this teaser definitely sets the mood and reminds us all how Subnautica isn't just a survival game, it's also one of the best horror games ever made.
Subnautica 2 story and setting
In Subnautica 2, you'll be exploring a new ocean-based alien world and following a brand-new story. According to a description on the Steam store page for the game, you'll play as a "pioneer traveling to a distant world." Soon, though, you find that something is very wrong after your ship's AI starts insisting you carry on a mysterious mission.
It turns out that this new world is too dangerous for humans to survive in, so you'll have to "change what it means to be human." That statement sounds pretty ominous if you ask us, and considering how the first Subnautica had you infected with an alien virus and Subnautica: Below Zero has you sharing a brain with an alien AI until you build it a new body, we aren't surprised that something will likely be messing about with your human body or DNA in Subnautica 2.
In a Subnautica 2 dev blog, senior narrative designer Seth Dickinson, level designer Artyom O'Rielly, and senior environment artist Ben Hale spoke on the "building unknown worlds" for the upcoming sequel, with Dickinson introducing the new world the team are creating as a "place of constant change, where the sea is alive and hungry, the rules of evolution are different, and alien DNA seeps into your bones. Here, you might be the last human being in the universe, or the first member of something new." How intriguing.
O'Rielly also shows off some of the rocky terrain and tools being used to create the world, which is "entirely hand-crafted". Another story point that we know about the upcoming game is that we are getting a silent protagonist once again, departing from Below Zero's very talkative hero.
Subnautica 2 gameplay
Like the rest of the Subnautica games, Subnautica 2 will be a survival game where you'll have to explore the depths of an alien ocean, gather material, craft upgrades, and try to survive. You'll be scanning ruins to unlock new vehicles and other equipment to assist in managing your needs, as well as to help you progress further into the deep.
Subnautica 2 will have a story that you'll be following as you build up your underwater base and try to avoid all the monstrous Leviathan creatures eyeing you like a tasty snack. While we don't know much about the story yet, we do know that it will involve your human DNA and possibly finding secrets that can help you alter it in order to survive in harsh alien waters. We'll keep you posted as more details about this new story and its potential impact on gameplay mechanics head our way.
According to the description of Subnautica 2, exploration will also be a key part of the upcoming game as you'll be uncovering and logging new "diverse biomes" and creatures. Through scanning the terrain and animals around you, you'll find information to assist you in the story, as well as goals for upgrades that can help you expand or customise your underwater bases. The building system of Subnautica has reportedly gone through a massive overhaul, so expect base building to be a bigger star in the new game too.
A big new gameplay feature for Subnautica 2 is the fact that it will feature co-op. Previous entries in the series have all been single-player affairs, throwing us into a foreign ocean all by our lonesome. In the upcoming title, there will be up to four-player cooperative gameplay for you and a group of buddies. So, if you are afraid of the deep, now is the perfect time to grab a group of mates and force them to play Subnautica with you for support.
Will Subnautica 2 be multiplayer?
Yes! For the first time in Subnautica's history, we are getting the option to play with our friends in Subnautica 2. The upcoming game will support up to four-player co-op, and cross-play has also been confirmed. That means that PC and Xbox players will be able to game together without a care in the world… well, apart from surviving multiple Leviathans, maybe.
In the trailer, we saw two survivors swimming together on the new alien planet. Still, we haven't seen any clips of actual co-op gameplay just yet. However, it should be noted that even with this gameplay addition, Subnautica 2 is still a solo player experience first.
With that in mind, there are a lot of questions about how multiplayer will interact with the main story and progression. We don't know how multiplayer is being implemented exactly or what it will look like in Subnautica 2, so keep your eyes on this page as we update you with more details soon.
In the meantime, check out our list of the best co-op games of all time if you are after a new outing with your mates.
For more future releases, check out our lists of all the upcoming Xbox Series X games and new PC games heading our way.
