Subnautica 2 is now expected to arrive in Early Access next year, with a delay pushing the underwater adventure into 2026. This release date change has come in the wake of some big changes at the studio, with leadership changes that left the community worried about what this will mean for the game's future.
Developer Unknown Worlds soon after addressed some concerns by stating that there will be "no subscriptions, no lootboxes", and "no battle pass", as well as insisting it will remain a single-player first experience. Prior to the studio changes, we'd gotten to see a string of dev blogs that offered more insight into the sequel. First teased back in 2024, we know, for example, that it's is set to follow on from the events of the original game, Subnautica: Below Zero, and Natural Selection, and promises to be a bigger and more ambitious experience overall.
While we're still awaiting word on when the new game will arrive next year, you can read more on the next entry in one of the best survival games series around in our overview of Subnautica 2 below, which offers more details on its development, the release date delay, and more.
Subnautica 2 release date delay
Currently, Subnautica 2 is now currently expected to release in Early Access sometime in 2026.
Originally slated to arrive in 2025, a report initially surfaced from Bloomberg in early July that suggested it had been pushed into 2026. This came after some big shakeups within the development team, which saw the original Subnautica creators and Unknown Worlds co-founders get replaced by the Callisto Protocol studio CEO.
Following this news, word from Krafton later came that the Early Access schedule might need some adjustments, despite the former lead saying it was ready, before the publisher ultimately officially confirmed the delay in 2026, citing that "there are a few areas where we needed to improve before launching the first version of Subnautica 2 to the world". Krafton also denied that the delay has anything to do "any contractual or financial consideration", and stated that the move to 2026 was being discussed before the changes at Unknown Worlds were made.
Prior to the delay, we got a devblog which detailed that the game is considered to be the team's "biggest" and "most ambitious Subnautica game" yet. Players were also invited to provide feedback once they get their hands on the game as development is planned to continue during the Early Access period as well -- which will likely still apply for its 2026 launch.
While we await further news on the release date, you can also read our Subnautica review if you want a recap of the first alien outing.
Subnautica 2 platforms
Subnautica 2 is set to arrive on PC and Xbox Series X/S once it launches in Early Access.
Sadly, there's no news on any PS5 support just yet, and there's also no Switch 2 news on whether fans can expect the game to come to the new-gen console among the lineup of upcoming Switch 2 games. However, that doesn't mean that we'll never see the title on those platforms in the future.
The first Subnautica became available on both PS5 and Nintendo Switch eventually. And since both also support Unreal Engine 5 (which Subnautica 2 is being developed with), there's still hope for a future announcement regarding additional platforms for the new game. Stay tuned for updates!
Subnautica 2 trailer
The first Subnautica 2 trailer came in the form of a short teaser that was revealed during the October 2024 Xbox Partner Showcase.
In the trailer, which you can watch above, we see two humans in the deep – reminding us all that the new game will be multiplayer! The clip also shows off a player piloting what looks to be a Prawn Suit. Finally, we also see what looks to be a new Leviathan as a large tentacle monster with a purple glowing head revealed itself towards the end of the teaser.
Most recently, we've also gotten to see a short gameplay trailer that came along with an update on Early Access, with a narrator revealing that we'll "sleep through 14 years of flight" to our new home.
Subnautica 2 story and setting
In Subnautica 2, you'll be exploring a new ocean-based alien world and following a brand-new story. According to a description on the Steam store page for the game, you'll play as a "pioneer traveling to a distant world." Soon, though, you find that something is very wrong after your ship's AI starts insisting you carry on a mysterious mission.
It turns out that this new world is too dangerous for humans to survive in, so you'll have to "change what it means to be human." That statement sounds pretty ominous if you ask us, and considering how the first Subnautica had you infected with an alien virus and Subnautica: Below Zero has you sharing a brain with an alien AI until you build it a new body, we aren't surprised that something will likely be messing about with your human body or DNA in Subnautica 2.
In a Subnautica 2 dev blog, senior narrative designer Seth Dickinson, level designer Artyom O'Rielly, and senior environment artist Ben Hale spoke on the "building unknown worlds" for the upcoming sequel, with Dickinson introducing the new world the team are creating as a "place of constant change, where the sea is alive and hungry, the rules of evolution are different, and alien DNA seeps into your bones. Here, you might be the last human being in the universe, or the first member of something new." How intriguing.
O'Rielly also shows off some of the rocky terrain and tools being used to create the world, which is "entirely hand-crafted". Another story point that we know about the upcoming game is that we are getting a silent protagonist once again, departing from Below Zero's very talkative hero.
Subnautica 2 gameplay
Like the rest of the Subnautica games, Subnautica 2 will be a survival game where you'll have to explore the depths of an alien ocean, gather material, craft upgrades, and try to survive. You'll be scanning ruins to unlock new vehicles and other equipment to assist in managing your needs, as well as to help you progress further into the deep.
Subnautica 2 will have a story that you'll be following as you build up your underwater base and try to avoid all the monstrous Leviathan creatures eyeing you like a tasty snack. While we don't know much about the story yet, we do know that it will involve your human DNA and possibly finding secrets that can help you alter it in order to survive in harsh alien waters. We'll keep you posted as more details about this new story and its potential impact on gameplay mechanics head our way.
According to the description of Subnautica 2, exploration will also be a key part of the upcoming game as you'll be uncovering and logging new "diverse biomes" and creatures. Through scanning the terrain and animals around you, you'll find information to assist you in the story, as well as goals for upgrades that can help you expand or customise your underwater bases. The building system of Subnautica has reportedly gone through a massive overhaul, so expect base building to be a bigger star in the new game too.
A big new gameplay feature for Subnautica 2 is the fact that it will feature co-op. Previous entries in the series have all been single-player affairs, throwing us into a foreign ocean all by our lonesome. In the upcoming title, there will be up to four-player cooperative gameplay for you and a group of buddies. So, if you are afraid of the deep, now is the perfect time to grab a group of mates and force them to play Subnautica with you for support.
Will Subnautica 2 be multiplayer?
Yes! For the first time in Subnautica's history, we are getting the option to play with our friends in Subnautica 2. The upcoming game will support up to four-player co-op, and cross-play has also been confirmed. That means that PC and Xbox players will be able to game together without a care in the world… well, apart from surviving multiple Leviathans, maybe.
In the trailer, we saw two survivors swimming together on the new alien planet. Still, we haven't seen any clips of actual co-op gameplay just yet. However, it should be noted that even with this gameplay addition, Subnautica 2 is still a solo player experience first.
With that in mind, there are a lot of questions about how multiplayer will interact with the main story and progression. We don't know how multiplayer is being implemented exactly or what it will look like in Subnautica 2, so keep your eyes on this page as we update you with more details soon.
In the meantime, check out our list of the best co-op games of all time if you are after a new outing with your mates.
Subnautica 2 development
Subnautica 2 is in development from the same studio that worked on the original adventure, Unknown Worlds Entertainment.
In an official press release, publisher Krafton recently confirmed, however, that's there's been a big leadership change ahead of the game's Early Access launch in 2025.
Steve Papoutsis, who directed Dead Space 3 and served as producer on Dead Space 2 has now been appointed CEO of Unknown worlds, and will "oversee the studios overall management and creative direction".
"Papoutsis replaces the previous leadership team — Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire — effective immediately," the official press release statement reads. "While Krafton sought to keep the Unknown Worlds' co-founders and original creators of the Subnautica series involved in the game's development, the company wishes them well on their next endeavors."
"Importantly, Krafton is confident that Papoutsis, with decades of experience behind the planning, development, and production of some of the highest-rated game franchises, will bring renewed energy and momentum to delivering the long-anticipated Subnautica 2 experience to fans."
Cleveland later addressed the "shock dismissal", saying that, "I want you to know that whatever happens to the founders, to the team and to the game, our priority is, and has always been, to make the best damned game we can for the best community in the world."
For more future releases, check out our lists of all the upcoming Xbox Series X games and new PC games heading our way.
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