I’ve never been a big fan of survival games, but the *Subnautica* series is an exception. Unlike many survival titles that emphasize combat, conquest, and expansion, *Subnautica* is set in the vast and mysterious depths of the ocean, making the core experience one of freely exploring the unknown and embracing a sense of inner solitude.Despite limited technical capabilities, *Subnautica* and *Below Zero* have managed to create a suffocating yet utterly immersive underwater world that has kept countless players, myself included, coming back for more.
The series is now set to welcome its official sequel, *Subnautica 2: Alien Waters*. From the moment it was announced, the game generated a strong response from fans of the series thanks to its upgraded engine, the addition of multiplayer mode, and a brand-new alien planet setting. With over 5 million pre-orders placed prior to its release, the game has clearly demonstrated the series’ deep-rooted fan base built up over the years and the immense anticipation surrounding this new installment.
However, with so many sequels to well-known games flopping in recent years, I’m hesitant to get my hopes up for *Subnautica 2: Alien Waters*. Will the new game manage to preserve the series’ signature sense of loneliness and spirit of free exploration while addressing the issues with map density and guidance that were criticized in the first game? Will the addition of multiplayer dilute the sense of dread? How long will the Early Access phase last, and will player feedback be taken into account?
With these questions in mind, I attended the global media online roundtable for *Subnautica 2: Alien Waters* held on May 7. I listened as Anthony, the game’s design director, and Scott, the creative media producer, shared behind-the-scenes stories about the game’s development. I also learned about the exciting innovations in this new title and found some answers in the team’s candid discussion.
01
Soaring into the vast, boundless cosmos
Right at the start of the press conference, the development team treated us to a stunning live gameplay demo, providing commentary on the core design philosophy and new features of *Subnautica 2: Alien Waters* as the footage played. The producer began by reaffirming and emphasizing the series’ core identity: a non-violent game built on survival and driven by exploration.The team repeatedly emphasized their design philosophy of minimizing hand-holding, allowing players to set their own goals and freely explore the vast depths of the ocean rather than being driven by a mission system.
The game’s story has moved entirely away from Planet 4546B; players will arrive on a brand-new alien planet, facing a brand-new ecosystem, brand-new creatures, and brand-new systems. This sense of the unknown will be one of the game’s biggest draws.
It was announced long ago that this title is being developed using the Unreal Engine 5. Judging solely by the demo footage, the graphical improvements have perfectly achieved the visual standards of next-gen games; looking back at the original now feels like it’s been filtered through a retro lens—I can’t go back.The development team also specifically noted: “Since we’re building this with Unreal Engine 5, the graphical capabilities have improved significantly compared to previous versions, particularly in terms of lighting effects. The day-night cycle is no longer just a simple shift between light and dark, but rather two completely distinct exploration experiences.”
During the day, when the sun is shining, light penetrates the ocean surface and, through various refractions, creates a spectacle reminiscent of the Tyndall effect, bathing the entire marine ecosystem in vibrant colors. At night, however, the scene is completely different: most of the bioluminescent sea creatures become the primary source of light. The shallow waters transform into an aquarium with a light show, while the atmosphere of exploration in the deep sea becomes more eerie and tense due to the enveloping darkness and the presence of unnameable creatures.
The game still begins in shallow waters, where players must first gather basic survival supplies such as water, oxygen, and food. The demo also showcased improvements to the resource gathering process and storage system, providing better support for extended exploration.The scanner remains one of the most essential tools for exploration. Players can use it to scan marine life, environmental features, and various ruins to unlock new crafting recipes and advance their survival journey. The development team also emphasized that scanned items can be used to craft certain tools—though they noted they “can’t reveal too much” about them just yet. We’ll have to wait until the game launches to find out exactly how this works.
The advancements in creature interactions are particularly noteworthy. The development team has made effective use of AI to optimize the behavioral logic of certain creatures, making interactions with them feel more natural. Now, players can not only observe and interact with them, but even consume some alien food.
The team then demonstrated the vehicle system in the new game. Taking the “Tadpole” as an example, this vehicle can perform different functions by attaching various chassis; for instance, equipping it with the “Scout Ray” chassis further enhances its exploration capabilities. The team also mentioned that they plan to introduce more vehicles in the future, giving players greater flexibility to choose the right vehicle for different environments and needs.
Compared to *Below Zero*, the new game has put a great deal of effort into base-building. Players can now build their own bases according to their needs, with a fair amount of freedom in designing layouts, adding decorations, and setting up storage systems, power grids, bioreactors, and living quarters. Windows and lighting can be flexibly adjusted, making the entire building process highly immersive—the development team hopes players will fully enjoy this experience.
The biggest surprise in this game is, of course, the newly added multiplayer co-op mode. Players can divide tasks according to their needs, work together to explore, gather resources, and build complex bases, adding even more depth and fun to the game.
However, I suspect some veteran players might be concerned that this could diminish the sense of isolation and fear, turning the game into a comedy like *The Forest* in multiplayer mode. But let’s set that aside for now; the developers addressed this issue in detail during the Q&A session that followed.
02
Attitude is everything
Following the live gameplay demo, Anthony and Scott co-hosted a Q&A session. Responding to questions from media outlets around the world, they provided detailed answers regarding new content such as creatures, vehicles, and the building system. They also candidly discussed how the transition from Unity to Unreal Engine 5 has reshaped the game’s sense of horror. Finally, they outlined the game’s Early Access roadmap for the next two to three years and shared their vision for community co-creation.
Scott
- So many new things
The team provided very specific answers regarding the most obvious new features in the game.
First up is some news sure to excite fans of the series: the game will feature companion pets. The development team has shown off a particularly adorable little crab that players are sure to fall in love with. Of course, having a pet is optional, so players who prefer the solitude of the game can choose to play without one.
As for the much-discussed question of whether there will be new Leviathan creatures, the team revealed that there are about five in the Early Access version, two of which are extremely aggressive and reminiscent of the original game. These creatures were designed specifically to instill a sense of surprise and fear in players.
When it comes to the vehicle system, the development team’s philosophy is to start by giving players a small, fragile vehicle and then gradually unlock larger vehicles with more features. For example, the Tadpole shown in the trailer can have wings attached to alter its performance, and its design is intentionally cute.
The building system offers significantly more freedom than in previous titles. Players are no longer limited to assembling prefabricated components; instead, they can build structures from scratch using individual parts. Windows can range from small openings to full-height floor-to-ceiling windows, and lighting can be freely adjusted. As the team puts it, the core philosophy is to give players more creative freedom.
In response to criticism that *Below Zero* featured overly dense maps that felt like a maze, the team candidly acknowledged the feedback. As a result, the new game offers more breathing room and improves the pace of exploration. Hand-holding will also be significantly reduced, bringing the experience closer to the original’s style of setting your own goals and exploring proactively.
- Good visuals ≠ no fear
The question that many of the veteran players mentioned earlier are most concerned about is: Now that the game has switched from Unity to Unreal Engine 5, resulting in significantly improved graphics, and with the addition of a new multiplayer mode, will this undermine the series’ signature sense of loneliness and oppression?
Anthony’s response was straightforward: players seeking a sense of isolation can still play the single-player mode, and that won’t change. The improved visual fidelity will actually heighten the sense of horror; the team is committed to making the visuals more vivid, and the fear won’t diminish just because the graphics are sharper.For example, dark areas, fog effects, and a visibility limit of about 20 meters—these are all design techniques that were present in the original game. Now, these are no longer compromises necessitated by technical limitations, but deliberate choices to create psychological pressure. You’ll feel as if you’re truly underwater; that realistic visual impact is far more unsettling than a vague imagination.
Scott also added from the perspective of technological evolution: “In the past, many effects couldn’t be achieved due to PC hardware limitations; now that computer performance has improved, we can actually control the player’s field of view and distance with greater precision. ‘We can let you see farther, or suddenly bring you closer—this technical freedom is, in itself, a tool for creating a sense of horror.’”
“Subnautica 1” did an excellent job given its technical limitations, and players can rest assured that “Subnautica 2: Alien Waters” will not only overcome those technical constraints but also further amplify the psychological tension of its story and environments.
- Good things come to those who wait
With two previous titles in the series under their belt, why did the developers of *Subnautica 2: Alien Waters* still choose to release it as an Early Access title? Is it a lack of confidence in their own work?
In response to this question, which many players have also been wondering about, the team was very candid: “This is the approach we’ve always taken. The official release isn’t the most important thing; our philosophy is to use Early Access as a bridge to communicate with players and continuously refine the game together.” They revealed that during the Early Access phase of the previous title, they completely rewrote the story based on community feedback—the game evolves in real time, just like a living organism.
Regarding the impact of community feedback, the team cited two examples: the multiplayer cooperative mode was the feature most requested by fans; and after an anonymous player pointed out that base components were being introduced too early, the team adjusted the release timing the very next day. This further demonstrates that the voices of the player community can significantly influence—and even determine—the direction of development.
The team also emphasized the importance they place on Chinese players: “This isn’t just a British game or a game for a select few countries; I want to be friends with Chinese fans. I’ll keep reading the Chinese feedback and incorporate it into the game.” The development team is made up of members from more than 20 countries, and they “hope every player will feel like this game was made just for them.”
- Let’s fight for the future
At the end of the meeting, the team also announced the update plan for the Early Access phase. The entire Early Access phase is expected to last at least two to three years, and the average playtime for the Early Access version is approximately 20 hours; however, the team has promised to continuously add new content based on player feedback.
Phase 1 focuses on experience optimization, including updates to the bio-modification system, shipwreck exploration mechanics, and the PDA survival guide database, as well as improvements to the sprint function and storage system. Phase 2 centers on enhancing multiplayer features, with the gradual introduction of a signal system, base-building tools, and a recipe lock system. Voice chat will begin with basic Proxy chat, with emojis, emotes, and a player-to-player resurrection and rescue system to be added later;Phase 3 will significantly expand the game world, introducing new ecosystems, creatures, resources, and items, along with at least one new vehicle, while also launching a new chapter in the storyline.
Conclusion
What impressed me most after the online meeting was the development team’s dedication to polishing their work and walking alongside the players.
This title demonstrates genuine commitment to new features such as biodiversity, tiered vehicle unlocking, and modular construction. More importantly, the developers have addressed the criticisms raised by *Below Zero* players and explicitly stated that they will implement changes. Furthermore, updates that could potentially impact the gameplay experience for veteran players—such as the multiplayer mode and pet system—are optional, and players are not forced to adopt them. This is particularly commendable in an era where many development teams tend to dictate how players should play the game.
The Early Access roadmap and the three-phase update plan give us every reason to believe that this game will not be a half-baked product rushed to market. It may not live up to the years of anticipation held by all players, but at least the development team is listening carefully and is willing to take the time to make the game ten times better than we ever imagined—and that’s enough.
原创文章，作者：gallonwang，禁止转载：https://youxichaguan.com/en/archives/196502
