Looking for the best games like Subnautica to play right now? Well, we don't blame you. Unknown Worlds' deep-sea alien survival title is one of the best adventure games ever made, and now, with the new game, Subnautica 2, still topping Steam wishlists in 2026, we're all dying to scratch that underwater itch yet again.
So if you're in the market for a dangerous world to explore, deep survival systems, and perhaps a few weird monsters to avoid at all costs, don't worry, we've got just what you're looking for in this list of the best games like Subnautica to download and play today. Below, we've focused on experiences that offer exploration, resource management, some scares, and, of course, have a story pushing all our objectives forward.
We've also made sure to offer a varied mix of settings, so below you'll see water-based outings, picturesque worlds, and even a handful of the best sci-fi games in our ranking. And, we're always on the lookout for even more alternatives, so if we somehow missed your personal favorite Subnautica-like experience, feel free to let us know in the comments below!
The best games like Subnautica to play right now, starting with...
10. The Long Dark
Developer: Hinterland Studio
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
It may not have the storytelling prowess of Subnautica, but The Long Dark, which asks you to survive in the deadly Canadian wilderness, is every bit as atmospheric. That's thanks in no small part to its hand-painted art style and gorgeous weather, which can turn in an instant and leave you freezing to death without enough wood to make a fire as wolves howl ominously in the distance.
It can be brutal, and you'll find yourself in plenty of hairy spots where food and daylight are in short supply, but moments of panic are spread between stretches of pensive silence. It's just you, the snow, and your footsteps. And those wolves, of course. Read our The Long Dark deep dive for more details!
9. Abzu
Developer: Giant Squid Studios
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
If it's stunning ocean vistas you want, then dive into Abzu, an underwater exploration game with a soundtrack from Austin Wintory, of PlayStation classic Journey fame. As the music flows over and around you, you'll discover new, glorious views, from huge schools of colorful fish to mysterious underwater temples etched with ancient carvings.
It's almost completely free of threat, and there's none of the challenge or fear you'll find in Subnautica – but there's still plenty to love, and both the sights and sounds of its watery world never fail to surprise. You can check out our Abzu review for more information on this stunning ocean adventure.
8. No Man’s Sky
Developer: Hello Games
Available on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, Switch
Less structured and more expansive than Subnautica, No Man's Sky gives you a whole galaxy to explore without restraint. You zoom from planet to planet, busting through atmospheres and watching land slowly rise to meet you, moving fluidly between outer space and solid ground, space station, and rocky outpost. It has a story, and objectives will nudge you in a particular direction, but you'll get the most out of it when you're guided by your own whims.
Some planets offer few resources or signs of life – others feel like you could live on them for decades. After an unstable launch, Hello Games has revamped the entire game over a period of years, making it so much more than it initially was. Heck, it even has underwater base building, too, now - along with multiplayer, VR support, more narrative than ever, and much, much more. Read our No Man's Sky review next!
7. Subnautica: Below Zero
Developer: Unknown Worlds
Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
The logical next step from Subnautica is... more Subnautica, and that's exactly what Below Zero offers. After a stint in early access, Subnautica: Below Zero is a standalone expansion that will give you hours of underwater fun.
The water in Below Zero, as the name suggests, is far chillier: set in the arctic region of an alien planet, it's your job to survive after a disaster on board a research station orbiting overhead. Expect the same gameplay loops you know and love in Subnautica, but with new biomes, creatures, and tools, and regular updates, keep improving it. You can head on over to our Subnautica: Below Zero preview for more insights on this spin-off.
6. Starbound
Developer: Chucklefish
Platform(s): PC, Xbox One
Starbound looks nothing like Subnautica, but the depths of its crafting systems and the huge variety of planets to explore make it a must-play for fans of survival sandboxes. It's essentially a sci-fi Terraria with a bigger emphasis on the story: as you hop between planets, you'll gather resources to gradually upgrade your gear, progressing from swords to machine guns, walking boots to jetpacks, and teleportation devices.
Its planets each offer distinct biomes, procedurally generated for maximum variation: one minute, you'll be creeping through a thick forest; the next, you'll be flying over a pool of magma. A streamlined story, complete with scripted bosses, genuinely interesting characters, and tons of lore, keeps you pushing on to the next world.
5. Grounded 2
Developers: Obsidian Entertainment, Eidos-Montreal
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X/S
Grounded 2 may be in Early Access, but it's still a great pick if you're a fan of the survival mechanics and battling of giant creatures in Subnautica. In this new game, you play as a shrunken-down teen who finds themselves stuck as a tiny human in the big world of a park. Set in the '90s and taking cues from the 1989 film, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, you'll have to navigate a dense world filled with dangerous bugs that are out to get you. Explore, gather resources, craft, and build bases as you work to discover a way to return home.
Grounded 2 has all the elements that we love in Subnautica, including a main story where it’s your goal to escape your current predicament. However, it's far less scary than the sea adventure. Battling giant cartoony spiders over massive sea monsters that appear in the dark expanse of the ocean is way less stressful, making this a great alternative to the less spooky-inclined players in general. It's also a great game, and in our Grounded 2 review, we praised it for already being "terrific fun."
4. Astroneer
Developer: System Era Softworks
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
A bit like No Man's Sky-lite, Astroneer is a cutesy exploration game with a surprising amount of depth, especially when it comes to base building. As you move between its seven planets, you'll gather resources from the environment and explore high and low, scaling mountains and digging into caves for new materials.
Then, when your inventory is full, you'll come back and craft those materials into useful tools, looping together science labs, generators, solar panels, and oxygen tanks in whichever configuration you want. The result is a relaxing space adventure with a gradual sense of progression, and it's especially fun if you can rope in a friend for the ride.
3. Raft
Developer: Redbeet Interactive
Platform(s): PC
An open-water survival game in which you (plus a friend, ideally) hook floating resources to your raft as they bob by, build ramps to board islands you spot on the horizon and, occasionally, venture into the depths to grab valuable goodies. A patrolling shark keeps you honest, and, like Subnautica, progression means crafting better gear and bigger oxygen tanks.
All the while, you expand your raft from a simple four-by-four grid to a complex, multi-leveled floating base. It's nowhere near as polished as Subnautica – so expect some bugs – but it's one of the few ocean-based survival games that's worth playing. But, on a personal note, this is one that I know significant others like playing together, so if you're after the best couple games with a Subnautica feel, this may be the one for you.
2. The Forest
Developer: Endnight Games
Platform(s): PC, PS4
Subnautica's sea monsters make it feel like a horror game: The Forest gives you that same sense of dread, only it swaps the ocean willies for a pack of hungry cannibal mutants who want to munch on your flesh. As the lone survivor of a plane crash, you must stay alive in an oppressive forest, chopping down trees to make wood and scavenging whatever food you can, crafting increasingly sophisticated gear as you go.
The presence of the mutants provides a constant tension, and you'll always be looking over your shoulder. Flexible building tools let you build your base exactly as you want, and a trail of clues provides a framework for exploring its dense world. Read our thoughts on The Forest for more information. And, if you speed through this one, you can also look ahead to the next game on the horizon with our The Forest 3 guide.
1. Breathedge
Developer: RedRuins Softworks
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
In space, no one can hear you scream, but they can hear a chicken pop. That's the sort of bizarre humor that you can expect in Breathedge. This survival game sees you play as a character simply known as "The Man", who's just trying to get his grandpa's body to an outer space funeral, but things go spectacularly wrong.
Your ship is gone, you're all alone in a space full of corpses, until the phone beeps. Figure out the mystery behind this brilliantly bizarre story, build bases and contraptions to traverse space, and just try to stay alive long enough to find out what's going on. You won't regret it.
Look ahead with our guides on all the upcoming PS5 games, new PC games and upcoming Xbox Series X games on the way.
