Subnautica 2 Unveils Gameplay

A fresh Subnautica 2 dev vlog has finally offered fans their first glimpse at the sequel's gameplay, showcasing updated base-building mechanics, new tools, and several fresh environments. The video also reaffirms that Subnautica 2 is still targeting an early access release later this year, although an exact date has yet to be announced for when players can begin exploring the new alien world.

Subnautica fans were treated to some major news last year, when the long-anticipated sequel was officially unveiled with a teaser trailer and a feature overview on its Steam page. For the first time in the franchise’s history, co-op multiplayer will be included, allowing players to explore and survive together on a brand-new oceanic planet filled with unknown ecosystems, narratives, and threats. That said, solo play remains fully supported for fans who prefer a more traditional experience. 🤿🧍‍♂️🧍‍♀️

Now, six months after its initial reveal, players have gotten a closer look at Subnautica 2’s core gameplay loop. In the new dev vlog, Design Lead Anthony Gallegos confirms the team’s plans to bring the game to early access within 2025, giving fans the opportunity to jump in early. While only a few biomes were shown, the video gives a stronger sense of the game's visual style and feature set. Base construction has seen major enhancements, with new components like support pillars, superconductive foundations, and modular compartments aimed at offering more creativity and precision when designing underwater habitats.

Subnautica 2 Enhances Classic Features With New Twists 🔧

The video also provided a preview of various tools and how they’ve evolved from the original game. The scanner, a staple from Subnautica 1, now appears to include a radar-like function that could help locate materials or scan points more efficiently. Resource gathering is also getting a makeover: instead of relying on randomized materials from breakable rocks, Subnautica 2 introduces resource-specific nodes, which can be harvested directly. One moment in the vlog even shows the player holding 0.71 titanium, potentially hinting at a reworked inventory system that uses partial units or weight-based tracking. 📡🔍

Another notable segment of the vlog highlights a glowing alien slime that, according to the in-game PDA, can be consumed to absorb genetic material, tying directly into the genetic modification system confirmed for Subnautica 2. Fans also caught a quick glimpse of a few new creatures, including early AI behaviors and animations, as well as a short shot of what looks like a new leviathan, promising more of the deep-sea terror the series is known for. 🧬👾🦑

Although a release date hasn’t been confirmed, Subnautica 2 is on course for early access later this year. With new biomes, co-op functionality, refined tools, and evolving systems, the sequel is shaping up to deliver a bold new take on the underwater survival genre while staying true to its roots.