Summary
Since the announcement ofSubnautica 2last year, developer Unknown Worlds Entertainment has only provided scarce information on the upcoming sequel.
Although Unknown Worlds confirmed Subnautica 2’s early access would begin in 2025, we hadn’t heard from the studio since shortly after the initial announcement. Fans were beginning to worry that the early access release was going to be delayed until next year, but rest assured, Unknown Worlds released a developer diary that addressed this topic.
2025 is Still the Plan
According tothe video, Subnautica 2 will still be released in early access this year. Subnautica 2’s design lead, Anthony Gallegos, confirmed this in the dev diary.
“For the first time, you’ll have the chance to experience Subnautica 2 with your friends in co-op,” Gallegos begins. “Whether you choose to play solo, or with friends, we hope each descent to the depths is more thrilling than ever. If that sounds awesome to you, then join us for early access later in 2025. You’ll be there when we first add new vehicles, craftables, biomes and leviathans.”
Although this could technically mean any moment in 2025, the implication is that Subnautica 2 will be released in early access near the end of the year. The original Subnautica spent over three years in early access before eventually releasing in 2018.
Subnautica was released in early access in late 2014 and released fully in early 2018. Subnautica: Below Zero was released in early access in early 2019, and released fully in the middle of 2021. Below Zero wasn’t a full sequel to Subnautica, however.
Gallegos didn’t give much away about what we can expect from Subnautica 2, but essentially, the game sounds more or less like an upgraded version of Subnautica with co-op, which sounds pretty great, actually.
Another key difference between the original and the sequel is that Subnautica 2 is being built on Unreal Engine 5, while the original used Unity. There has also been no announcement regarding Subnautica 2 releasing on PlayStation 5. Instead, the game’s early access is set to launch on PC and Xbox Series X/S.
