Subnautica 2 Reveals Gameplay, Teases Early Access Later This Year

Summary
- A new Subnautica 2 dev vlog teases updated base building mechanics and new tools.
- The sequel introduces multiplayer gameplay, new environments, and dangers.
- New gameplay footage shows off resource-specific nodes and a genetic modification mechanic.
A new Subnautica 2 dev vlog finally gives fans an early look at the sequel’s gameplay, which includes a glimpse at a few features like updated base building mechanics and new tools, while also teasing a few of the game’s new environments. The vlog also confirms that Subnautica 2 is still planned to enter early access later this year, although fans have yet to receive an exact date for when they’ll be able to dive into this new alien world themselves.
Subnautica fans got some big news regarding the greatly-anticipated sequel to the sci-fi underwater exploration game last year, with Subnautica 2 showing off its first teaser trailer and revealing some of its new features on its official Steam page. For the first time in the series, players will be able to play together and explore a totally new alien planet filled with new environments, stories, and dangers. Multiplayer won’t be the only way to engage with Subnautica 2, though, and solo players will have the option to explore and survive by themselves.

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Subnautica 2: The Case For The Architect Race to Appear In The Sequel
One of many questions surrounding Subnautica 2 is whether it will feature the series’ iconic alien race, though the trailer may contain some clues.
Half a year after its teaser trailer dropped, fans have finally gotten a better look at Subnautica 2‘s moment-to-moment gameplay. In the new Subnautica 2 dev vlog, Design Lead Anthony Gallegos discusses the team’s plans to bring the game into early access later this year, inviting players everywhere to get started on the journey early. Although not too much of the game’s environments were shown, fans did get a better look at the in-game visuals, as well as some curious updates to familiar features. Base building appears to have greatly evolved in Subnautica 2, with several new pieces teased such as support pillars, superconducting foundations, and new compartments which will allow builders to fine-tune their base designs and be more creative than ever before.
Subnautica 2 Will Evolve Some Familiar Mechanics in Surprising Ways
The video also gave fans a look at some of the game’s tools in action. Familiar items like the scanner appear to have taken on additional functions, with the new scanner featuring some kind of radar which may help players locate materials or scannable objects more easily among Subnautica 2‘s large map. Resources themselves also appear to work a little differently this time around. It looks like the sequel will be doing away with breakable rocks that drop different materials based on chance in favor of resource-specific nodes which can be collected by hand. Further, a brief part of the video shows the player with 0.71 titanium in their inventory, possibly suggesting the sequel will rework the inventory system and feature resource meters instead.
Another section of the video also shows off some strange alien slime which, according to the in-game PDA, can be consumed in some way to adopt useful genetic material, which is clearly a hint at the genetic modification mechanic that was previously confirmed for Subnautica 2. The vlog also gave fans a glimpse at some of the new creatures’ behaviors, as well as a very brief look at the model of what appears to be another new leviathan.

Subnautica 2


- Engine
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Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
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Online Co-Op
- Franchise
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Subnautica
- Number of Players
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1-4
- Early Access Release
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2025