More info on the next Subnautica will come next year (2024), while the game's early access might be released in 2025

[AuthenticM]

According to their Twitter:


View: https://twitter.com/Subnautica/status/1737540875218026620

Wow. The response to this post has been incredible. And, just to be 100% clear, we will be sharing our plans in 2024. Early Access itself will need a little bit longer in the Fabricator.

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god I can't wait for this game. I'm currently replaying the first one. I just love it.

Also reminder that the game is being made with Unreal Engine 5. It is going to look amazing.

 

[Bede-x]

Looking forward to hearing more. I consider Subnautica, The Forest and Grounded the gold standard for these types of games, so it's great hearing there's a new Subnautica coming, while the next Forest is just around the corner.

 

[Droopy_McCool]

Loved the first one but struggled to get into the second one. Curious to see what the third one will bring to the table

 

[SuperEpicMan]

I would love the next one to be Astronautica

 

[Bede-x]

I would love the next one to be Astronautica

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I think many of us would, as I've seen it mentioned several times on forums. Remember thinking Breathedge was that, but it wasn't that well enough.

 

[Mupod]

Subnautica is still the best 'one of these' I've played, a lot of treepuncher games use procedural worlds but the exploration of Subnautica is what makes it special. Sure, maybe not endlessly replayable, but that's not what I'm looking for out of these anyways.

Hopefully they don't make a radical departure from that formula in the next one - adding multiplayer and procedural generation would probably widen its audience. But considering I've spent years trying to find a game 'like Subnautica' it would be disappointing if this sequel wasn't the thing I've been pining for.

 

[AuthenticM]

Looking forward to hearing more. I consider Subnautica, The Forest and Grounded the gold standard for these types of games, so it's great hearing there's a new Subnautica coming, while the next Forest is just around the corner.

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I don't think I've heard of The Forest. What is it about?

Loved the first one but struggled to get into the second one. Curious to see what the third one will bring to the table

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I liked Below Zero, but you can tell that it was produced as DLC. There's nothing really new other than the narrative and the environment, and it does some stuff not as well as the first game did. In general, I don't really mind that it's a lesser experience, the fatal issue for me though is that the game forces the player to spend so much time on land. I find it so annoying that it pretty much kills any chance that I replay it. It's a shame because other than that, I liked my time with the game. I'm also a sucker for winter/arctic environments. Hopefully the next game also has those!

Subnautica is still the best 'one of these' I've played, a lot of treepuncher games use procedural worlds but the exploration of Subnautica is what makes it special. Sure, maybe not endlessly replayable, but that's not what I'm looking for out of these anyways.

Hopefully they don't make a radical departure from that formula in the next one - adding multiplayer and procedural generation would probably widen its audience. But considering I've spent years trying to find a game 'like Subnautica' it would be disappointing if this sequel wasn't the thing I've been pining for.

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god I really hope that the level design of the next one is not procedural.

 

[Bede-x]

I don't think I've heard of The Forest. What is it about?

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It's about being in a plane crash and becoming stranded in a heavily forest covered peninsula. Your son was in the plane with you and after waking up, you can't find him, which becomes the goal of the game. There's a quite popular sequel in Steam early access now:


View: https://youtu.be/IwvhH3islZw?si=kqOPXEHVL4ynw71n

I haven't played that, because I'm waiting for the full game. In the first game building a home isn't as important, as in Subnautica, though you can and you'll still have to craft a lot of equipment. It's got some remarkable environmental storytelling, where you know most of what's going on, by the time you get to the end, despite the game being very sparse with its cutscenes.

The biggest drawback is probably that it's got some cave systems that aren't differentiated enough and can be a little confusing, but it's still an excellent survival game.

 

[Roytheone]

First game is still legit one of the more tense and scary games I have ever played. Like it can be much scarier then many horror games imo.

 

[AuthenticM]

It's about being in a plane crash and becoming stranded in a heavily forest covered peninsula. Your son was in the plane with you and after waking up, you can't find him, which becomes the goal of the game. There's a quite popular sequel in Steam early access now:


View: https://youtu.be/IwvhH3islZw?si=kqOPXEHVL4ynw71n

I haven't played that, because I'm waiting for the full game. In the first game building a home isn't as important, as in Subnautica, though you can and you'll still have to craft a lot of equipment. It's got some remarkable environmental storytelling, where you know most of what's going on, by the time you get to the end, despite the game being very sparse with its cutscenes.

The biggest drawback is probably that it's got some cave systems that aren't differentiated enough and can be a little confusing, but it's still an excellent survival game.

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oh yeah, I know this game. I somehow forgot its title lol.

How is the sequel by the way? I remember when it came out, reception was divisive because the game was missing some stuff, apparently. Has it improved since?

 

[Droopy_McCool]

I liked Below Zero, but you can tell that it was produced as DLC. There's nothing really new other than the narrative and the environment, and it does some stuff not as well as the first game did. In general, I don't really mind that it's a lesser experience, the fatal issue for me though is that the game forces the player to spend so much time on land. I find it so annoying that it pretty much kills any chance that I replay it. It's a shame because other than that, I liked my time with the game. I'm also a sucker for winter/arctic environments. Hopefully the next game also has those!

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Yeah I think the main issue I had with below zero was that I played it straight after my 3rd playthrough of the first game and there wasn't any difference barring the narrative/environment so I felt a bit burnt out by it. I might try playing it again next year afresh as it's been a couple of years!

 

[Bede-x]

oh yeah, I know this game. I somehow forgot its title lol.

How is the sequel by the way? I remember when it came out, reception was divisive because the game was missing some stuff, apparently. Has it improved since?

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I haven't played the sequel, but it's in early access, so it'll obviously be missing some stuff. It's one of those I'm getting day one, in the same way I will with a new Subnautica.

 

[Gavalanche]

I really need to play any of the subnauticas, they look like my jam.

 

[Bede-x]

I really need to play any of the subnauticas, they look like my jam.

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The first Subnautica is probably still the best single player survival game and if you fall for it, look at Grounded and The Forest next. Don't start with Below Zero though. It's missing some of the things that made the first so good, but could still be worth looking into, if you want more after the first.

 

[SirNinja]

I really need to play any of the subnauticas, they look like my jam.

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Absolutely play the first one, no question. Go in as blind as you can, resist the urge to look up information, read every entry in your log book, and use your information and wits to guide you. It's one of the absolute best games of its genre, and a prime example of intelligently guiding players without handholding.

(Below Zero's also good, but it's definitely a side-story kind of experience, with a smaller world, a voiced protagonist, and about 1/3 set on land, which are all generally regarded as missteps. It was originally conceived as DLC for the original game, and it never quite manages to shake that designation. Still very much worth playing, but for the upcoming sequel you'll probably be left hoping Unknown Worlds takes inspiration primarily from the original.)

 

[Lowrys]

I could never get into the first because there wasn't a master inventory you could check to keep track of all your items and how many of each thing you had. This made it impossible for me to remember what crafting materials I had at any given time.

 

[Animus Vox]

I could never get into the first because there wasn't a master inventory you could check to keep track of all your items and how many of each thing you had. This made it impossible for me to remember what crafting materials I had at any given time.

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At first organizing will be tough but later on you'll get access to lockers that you can label and such that make it easier but yeah there isn't a "master" inventory screen. That's part of the game though, how you survive and manage things on your own. The game also pushes you to establishing a base and really only taking what you need when you go venture out.

On my own first gameplay I stuffed everything in floating lockers scattered throughout my mess of a starting point. It finally clicked when I started creating my base and realized I could make multiple bases too.

Really hope you give this another shot because the game truly is something special.

I would love the next one to be Astronautica

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Wouldn't that just be No Man's Sky?

 

[Sangral]

Now even early accesses get release plans 2+ years ahead. 🙄

 

[SuperEpicMan]

Wouldn't that just be No Man's Sky?

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I think there would be some overlap, but I preferred the static map and progression of Subnautica, so I am hoping to see that but in a space setting. Im not against a full Subnautica 2 either, but the first one was so great, so it's hard to picture how they iterate on it without treading the same ground. I never played Below Zero for similar reasons.

 

[Lausebub]

Probably the game announcement I am most excited for next to EU5.

I hope they stick with the underwater setting, since there are no other games like it. They already said it's going to be UE5 and better visuals with new content and systems is already enough for me to be happy.

 

[Lowrys]

At first organizing will be tough but later on you'll get access to lockers that you can label and such that make it easier but yeah there isn't a "master" inventory screen. That's part of the game though, how you survive and manage things on your own. The game also pushes you to establishing a base and really only taking what you need when you go venture out.

On my own first gameplay I stuffed everything in floating lockers scattered throughout my mess of a starting point. It finally clicked when I started creating my base and realized I could make multiple bases too.

Really hope you give this another shot because the game truly is something special.

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Thanks for the tips! Maybe I'll try again. I just gave up repeatedly after not knowing what materials I had or what I could make unless I went to every storage unit. Felt like I had to write everything down on paper.

 

[Dyno]

God I'm so ready for Subnautrica. Below Zero is the only game I've made an OP for and I'm not even typically into the genre. I do kinda wonder where they plan to follow on though. I want it to actually remain underwater focused.

 

[NuKER]

I really loved the first one. That feeling of scare the more deep I explored is so memorable to me, it was amazing to explore with that sound.

I didn't enjoy Below Zero that much and never finished it.

 

[UnluckyKate]

Let it cook.
Subnautica is legit up there as one of my favorite gaming experience of the past decade

 

[Genetrik]

Subnautica is still the best 'one of these' I've played, a lot of treepuncher games use procedural worlds but the exploration of Subnautica is what makes it special. Sure, maybe not endlessly replayable, but that's not what I'm looking for out of these anyways.

Hopefully they don't make a radical departure from that formula in the next one - adding multiplayer and procedural generation would probably widen its audience. But considering I've spent years trying to find a game 'like Subnautica' it would be disappointing if this sequel wasn't the thing I've been pining for.

Click to shrink...

Probably the game announcement I am most excited for next to EU5.

I hope they stick with the underwater setting, since there are no other games like it. They already said it's going to be UE5 and better visuals with new content and systems is already enough for me to be happy.

Click to shrink...

God I'm so ready for Subnautrica. Below Zero is the only game I've made an OP for and I'm not even typically into the genre. I do kinda wonder where they plan to follow on though. I want it to actually remain underwater focused.

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The first game belongs to my all time hall of fame experiences. I cannot wait to hear more.

Also mandatory to surface my old thread:

What do you want for Subnautica 3 (plus voting on which game was better so far)?

For me the first Subnautica claims the title of my personal game of the generation. I cannot remember the last time I was so invested in a game. The amazing exploration of the deep and fantastic abilities to build bases and subs created such a great loop. I was looking forward to Below Zero...

www.resetera.com

 

[Akai]

I didn't know they were making a 3rd one. Definitely interested.

I would love the next one to be Astronautica

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[Dyno]

The first game belongs to my all time hall of fame experiences. I cannot wait to hear more.

Also mandatory to surface my old thread:

What do you want for Subnautica 3 (plus voting on which game was better so far)?

For me the first Subnautica claims the title of my personal game of the generation. I cannot remember the last time I was so invested in a game. The amazing exploration of the deep and fantastic abilities to build bases and subs created such a great loop. I was looking forward to Below Zero...

www.resetera.com

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Yeah I'd say its likely on mine too. Don't get me wrong I still enjoyed Below Zero but the lack of open water actually made the game a fair bit less scary. It also lost something by not having the big stretch to the end starting in the cave in the original. It made for an interesting way to handle progression since you're gradually upgrading your way into increasingly hostile environments. Personally I ended up building a final base by the Ghost Leviathan halfway down

 

[SuperEpicMan]

I didn't know they were making a 3rd one. Definitely interested.



May I introduce you to Planet Crafter?

Sparen Sie 30% bei The Planet Crafter auf Steam

Ein Weltraum-Survival-Spiel für 1 bis 10 Spieler mit offener Welt, Terraforming und Crafting. Verändere das Ökosystem eines Planeten und mache ihn bewohnbar. Überlebe, sammle Ressourcen, baue eine Basis und erzeuge Sauerstoff, Wärme und Druck, um eine neue Atmosphäre zu schaffen.

store.steampowered.com

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Oh nice, I might have to check this out.

 

[Genetrik]

Yeah I'd say its likely on mine too. Don't get me wrong I still enjoyed Below Zero but the lack of open water actually made the game a fair bit less scary. It also lost something by not having the big stretch to the end starting in the cave in the original. It made for an interesting way to handle progression since you're gradually upgrading your way into increasingly hostile environments. Personally I ended up building a final base by the Ghost Leviathan halfway down

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Yeah the loss of open water and the accompanying goal of having to go deeper and deeper was a huge let down with Below Zero. We also lost the great fear of the dark unknown with it.

Man reading my old thread again with my ideas for Subnautica 3, I really would want those to be part of the actual third game.

 

[Mengy]

Looking forward to hearing their plans.

I absolutely LOVED the first Subnautica, one of my favorite games of all time. I still haven't bought the sequel yet, maybe I'll snag it at the Steam Winter sale next week. I know its not as good as the first one but I'm still curious to play it all the same due to how much I adored the original.

 

[Slushimi]

Subnautica and Outer Wilds are firmly up there as some of the best experiences I've had in gaming, with a heavy emphasis on experience.

 

[AuthenticM]

May I introduce you to Planet Crafter?

Sparen Sie 30% bei The Planet Crafter auf Steam

Ein Weltraum-Survival-Spiel für 1 bis 10 Spieler mit offener Welt, Terraforming und Crafting. Verändere das Ökosystem eines Planeten und mache ihn bewohnbar. Überlebe, sammle Ressourcen, baue eine Basis und erzeuge Sauerstoff, Wärme und Druck, um eine neue Atmosphäre zu schaffen.

store.steampowered.com

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thank you for recommending this. I had never heard of it. Wishlisted.