Subnautica: Below Zero is Unknown Worlds Entertainment’s forthcoming underwater, sci-fi, survival game, which started life as an expansion to the original Subnautica before gradually evolving into a stand-alone sequel. Independent developer and publisher Unknown Worlds is a big believer in open development, and Below Zero has spent most of its existence in Steam’s early access, where the game is currently available for purchase. The original Subnautica made a splash among critics and gamers for its unique setting, deep crafting tree, non-violent approach to survival, and clever use of non-linear, distributed storytelling.
While all of these areas have been changed or expanded, the narrative is the area where Below Zero makes the greatest strides over the original Subnautica, featuring a fully-voiced cast and a welcome break from the silent protagonist trope. Players step into the swim fins of Robin Ayou, intrepid xenobiologist and employee of Xenoworx, a research initiative that was recently devoured by the avaricious and insidious Alterra megacorporation. The game kicks off with Robin sneaking onto planet 4546B to investigate the suspicious death of her older sister, Sam Ayou, a fellow xenobiologist working for Alterra.
The game’s opening is very similar to the original Subnautica, with Robin crash landing on 4546B, though the first things players will notice is that they come to a halt on solid ground rather than the open ocean. Overland travel is a much larger part of the sequel, with harsh, arctic weather and plummeting body temperature serving as rate limiters on exploration, similar to how oxygen gates early exploration in the sea. This heat conceit enables a host of new technology designed to help Robin stay warm in freezing temperatures, ranging from cold suits to heat recharging coffee thermoses. But those who are concerned about Below Zero forgetting its seafaring roots need not worry, as Robin must hit the water on short order to reach her life pod and starting fabricator.
The voice acting in Below Zero is expressive and sharp, and Robin is a determined, well-written character who will likely win over gamers with her relatable wit and kind nature. The presence of voice could be considered a double-edged sword, as having a character comment on her environment as she explores 4546B’s seas alleviates the oppressive sense of isolation that was present in the original game. The benefit of this trade is that mundane resource hunting runs—a frequent activity in Subnautica—are more memorable and enjoyable.
On the whole, Below Zero‘s narrative feels more humorous and warmhearted than Subnautica, slightly dulling the player’s sense of desperation, horror, and dread. Even the Alterra PDA’s voice delivers more quips than in the original. This feels like the right direction of evolution for the series, which has always prioritized organic discovery and scientific research over the rigid, linear storytelling and visceral combat of dedicated survival horror titles. That said, Below Zero has its heart-pounding moments.
Leviathans, crashfish, and other enemies can deplete your health bar in a flash, as can an unexpected blizzard, or an erratic thermal vent. The scripted narrative events seem to be more common, and more involved, than the original Subnautica. While Below Zero does a better job of sign-posting prominent narrative threads to new players, Robin must thoroughly explore her environment to discover every thread of inquiry. Players could encounter one of the game’s most impressive and important narrative twists—which involves a sapient alien intelligence—within the first hour of play or five hours in, depending on their crafting priorities and thoroughness of exploration.
There is no denying Below Zero feels more like an expansion than a true sequel, though it would compete with some of the best DLC 2020 had to offer. Graphic enhancements abound and the narrative is unquestionably more ambitious, but there are very few features that fundamentally change the core gameplay.
The addition of heat management mechanics manage to make overland travel interesting and challenging, whereas dryland excursions were more like breaks in the original game, but a heat gauge is fundamentally similar to an oxygen gauge, and does little to mix up the game’s formula. It should also be noted that rocky terrain can be perilous—especially when combined with jumping—not only due to fall damage, but some lingering collision detection bugs that can easily get Robin stuck. That said, Below Zero is very stable after its 2 years in early access, especially compared to newer early access releases, and a much smoother ride than the original game as a whole.
While the new pieces of tech are cool, and some familiar pieces of technology have received extra functionality, the starting craft trees are nearly identical to those in the first game. It would be great to see more tools that introduce unique mechanics and effect change on the environment in new ways. Subnautica proved that survival games do not require combat to be compelling, but the creators can do more with their non-violent premise to give the game variety, either through puzzles, minigames, or new core mechanics.
There are some standout improvements that bear comment. The Spy-Pengling is an adorable robot that serves as the dry-land equivalent of the camera drone, allowing players to explore tight crevices that would be otherwise inaccessible. The new, modular sea truck vehicle is also a novel thematically rich idea, allowing players to snap together a submarine one compartment at a time, adding functionality in exchange for maneuverability. Base building has also received a major shot in the arm, featuring a greater variety of cosmetic items, and a jukebox with several officially produced and community-sourced tracks to liven up the place.
While there are plenty of new fish and other fauna in Below Zero, most of the fish players encounter early on are identical to those encountered in the first game, raising some interesting narrative questions, but also making the universe feel simpler and smaller. This is a shame, as many of the new environments, including some cut from the first title, are extremely creative and cleverly designed. Ascending through deep trenches, desperately searching for oxygen flowers to survive your race to the surface is a thrilling experience, while riding on the back of a glow whale is magically serene. Given the stand-alone nature of the story, Below Zero feels like the definitive version of a game, and Switch players may want to skip over the original Subnautica.
More of the same isn’t terrible either, given all the novel things the original did right. At its simplest, the Subnautica series feels like underwater Minecraft, which should not be mistaken for faint praise. The original is one of the best underwater experiences available in video games, especially when crafting is added into the mix. But at its zenith, Subnautica is so much more. It feels like starring in the lead role of a smart, sci-fi-fueled drama, like Andy Weir’s The Martian, and thanks to Below Zero‘s increased emphasis on storytelling, those moments arrive more often.
Subnautica: Below Zero is available now on Steam early access with a final, full release planned later this spring for Mac, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S.
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