

After approximately five hours of gameplay, I found myself reaching the edges of the map on more than one occasion, which only incentivized me to invest in equipment that allowed me to start diving deeper and deeper into the ocean. However, as you gather more materials and craft new modes of transportation, your surroundings will become easier to explore. It does a great job of recreating the isolation you’d expect to feel being left alone in the deep blue sea to fend for yourself. There are very few underutilized spaces within the game, as each unique area of the map contains something that will be relevant to your progress.Īt the same time, I found the environment design to be incredibly immersive. However, the more I played, the more I realized how cozy and well-designed it was. Subnautica: Below Zero review: EnvironmentĪt first glance, the map in Subnautica: Below Zero can feel almost too overwhelming to explore properly. Even if you somehow come across plot locations earlier than you’re told, the game will adjust the story to suit your discoveries. As you continue to make technological advancements and explore your surroundings, key plot locations will also become available on your radar. You can choose whether or not you want to listen to the audio logs for more details regarding Sam’s untimely demise.Ĭonveniently, the story's biggest and most relevant revelations are unmissable, since they’re present throughout the game in the form of cutscenes and monologues. The beauty of Subnautica: Below Zero is that you’re free to be as engaged with the lore of the game as you want. The story appears throughout your adventures in an unobtrusive way, as you collect audio logs during your numerous ventures across the planet. Overall, the game’s plot is there to support the exploration-based gameplay, and it's paced well. Robin, as a loving sister, takes Alterra’s report with a grain of salt, and decides to conduct her own inquiry. According to Alterra, the interplanetary corporation that employed Robin’s sister, Sam had reportedly perished in an accident on planet 4546B due to her own negligence. In Subnautica: Below Zero, you take the reins as a sharp scientist named Robin Ayou, as she investigates the mystery surrounding the death of her sister, Sam. However, they ultimately scrapped the idea to focus on more important aspects of the gameplay. The developers had previously explored the possibility of adding co-op gameplay to both the original Subnautica and its sequel.

Unfortunately, Subnautica: Below Zero doesn’t offer multiplayer, which I think could have added a bit more depth to the game. (Image credit: Unknown Worlds Entertainment)
