Subnautica: Below Zero

Werewolf Jones said:
Already pre-ordered. The extra story focus is kinda weird but I'm still ready for more underwater exploration.
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Yeah not a fan of that either. "Searching for my missing sister", get outta here with that shit. Exploring an alien planet should be all the narrative drive you need.

Anyway, I hope it runs better on PS4 than the base game because oooooof that's a mess of a game, optimization-wise.
 
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After being in early access for more than two years, Subnautica: Below Zero is set to release on May 14th for Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch. Developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment, it provides the same underwater exploration and survival mechanics that made the first game such a hit...with several changes and improvements, of course. Here are 15 things you need to know before picking it up.
 
Any early impressions on this one?

Subnautica was one of my favorite single player games of last generation. Have high hopes for this one.
 
I normally don't care much for the whole survival crafting thing, but the first Subnautica was very good. Below Zero is also good, but in other ways. The overarching story is told better. But it's also way easier to get resources, to the point of not even really trying and ending up with surplus, and...other things that would be spoilers to mention. It's a stronger story, but a weaker survival crafting.
 
Men_in_Boxes said:
Any early impressions on this one?

Subnautica was one of my favorite single player games of last generation. Have high hopes for this one.
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A bit disappointing compared to first subnautica imo . The big problem is that is a bit restrictive compared to the first one [ first one had alot more ocean to explore and while this one there is land it wasnt as rewarding exploring or as interesting ] Also the seatruck that replaced the submarine is no where near as good as the submarine and is much much more restrictive on what can you install compared to the submarine where you can modify it as you like
However if you liked the 1st one you will like this one as well is just in my opinion not as memorable
 
JSoup said:
I normally don't care much for the whole survival crafting thing, but the first Subnautica was very good. Below Zero is also good, but in other ways. The overarching story is told better. But it's also way easier to get resources, to the point of not even really trying and ending up with surplus, and...other things that would be spoilers to mention. It's a stronger story, but a weaker survival crafting.
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That's a shame to hear as someone who didn't care for the story at all, I just loved the exploration and crafting loop. Will probably still get as something to play for 4 days before WoW stuff hits.
 
Rickyiez said:
Hopefully it will stay as long as possible . Way better than the fad of generic bald space marine #6477321
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Nah. I prefer the "generic space marine" because they don't focus too much on them. You couldn't ever see your character in the first Subnautica, other that your shadow (which showed a ridiculous haircut i might add).

But whenever the character is a black female, or a fat lesbian, there is way more focus on them, especially when it comes to marketing material. I mean look at the video preview image in this very thread. They had to be perfectly clear that the character is a black woman so there she is, in the center of everything. Do you remember anything close to this in the first game? Was the main character ever the focus in any way?

It's clear that the only reason they do this is to virtue signal and pat themselves on their backs. So yeah, give me more generic space marines because then they can focus on the game itself.
 
Subnautica is one of my all time favorites, and I had high hopes for Below Zero. But damn, it doesn't look like it's anywhere near the first game. This looks more like a Pixar movie now. Where is the horror, the darkness? I want to get eaten by Lovecraftian terror in the abyss, not cuddle to death with Monster's Inc.

Gonna give it a shot, but my expectations are almost below zero at this point.
*Ba-dum tssssh*
 
nkarafo said:
Nah. I prefer the "generic space marine" because they don't focus too much on them. You couldn't ever see your character in the first Subnautica, other that your shadow (which showed a ridiculous haircut i might add).

But whenever the character is a black female, or a fat lesbian, there is way more focus on them, especially when it comes to marketing material. I mean look at the video preview image in this very thread. They had to be perfectly clear that the character is a black woman so there she is, in the center of everything. Do you remember anything close to this in the first game? Was the main character ever the focus in any way?

It's clear that the only reason they do this is to virtue signal and pat themselves on their backs. So yeah, give me more generic space marines because then they can focus on the game itself.
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The main character in the first game was Hispanic or Mexican or something, which was never ever brought up in the game, and every single 4chan thread about Subnautica included a bunch of racist memes about Mexicans. Shit works both ways. People are too obsessed with it.

Most Call of Duty game covers are "white man stares slightly off-camera looking pissed". Hell, look at the promo videos, the Subnautica thumbnail has more actual interesting game stuff in the background than this shit.

E6qey3m.png
 
Rickyiez said:
Hopefully it will stay as long as possible . Way better than the fad of generic bald space marine #6477321
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I almost prefer generic bald space marine in this instance.. I loved Subnautica and its 99.99% focus on exploration (even bought two copies..). But in this one the story appears shoehorned and lame (including the animations...........), the game appears brighter and more cartoony, and the characters are obviously pandering that couldn't be resisted. Been looking forward to this one and thus ignoring previews before release, but a disappointment seeing it so far.
 
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AV said:
The main character in the first game was Hispanic or Mexican or something, which was never ever brought up in the game, and every single 4chan thread about Subnautica included a bunch of racist memes about Mexicans. Shit works both ways. People are too obsessed with it.

Most Call of Duty game covers are "white man stares slightly off-camera looking pissed". Hell, look at the promo videos, the Subnautica thumbnail has more actual interesting game stuff in the background than this shit.

E6qey3m.png
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Call of Duty games are not a good example but OK.

I still think the Subnautica games should not focus on any protagonist at all. It should be nothing more than an avatar. It would be better if it had a basic character creation tool or something because of this.
 
nkarafo said:
Call of Duty games are not a good example but OK.

I still think the Subnautica games should not focus on any protagonist at all. It should be nothing more than an avatar. It would be better if it had a basic character creation tool or something because of this.
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I mean, COD is the quintessential bald space marine series. It's the example.

And that's fine to think, but you wouldn't have even mentioned it if Below Zero's protagonist was a white guy.
 
nkarafo said:
If it was a white guy i probably wouldn't know because they wouldn't show him.
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Mm, you don't know that though. They didn't show the non-white playable character in the first game's trailer thumbnail, would they not have done that if they were trying to "pander"..?

In fact, another Below Zero trailer thumbnail does have (non-playable) old white guy on the front of it because he's the focus of the trailer:

zh6YTwg.png


Does that not count because he has a mask on..? Or because he's not the PC? Would it count if it was a non-PC black female?

I'm just saying the race/gender obsession is a horseshoe with Resetera on one end and 4chan on the other, and they're just as bad as one another when it comes to video games. For me, if you saw that thumbnail and thought "black female in the centre of the frame to pander to the audience" rather than "cool sea monster" then it's just as bad as the people who saw it and said "yaaas black female protag". Your mind immediately goes to the place in the same way that it does for the people you dislike.
 
AV said:
I'm just saying the race/gender obsession is a horseshoe with Resetera on one end and 4chan on the other, and they're just as bad as one another when it comes to video games. For me, if you saw that thumbnail and thought "black female in the centre of the frame to pander to the audience" rather than "cool sea monster" then it's just as bad as the people who saw it and said "yaaas black female protag". Your mind immediately goes to the place in the same way that it does for the people you dislike.
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You are not wrong. If this was back in the 90's or early 20's nobody would care. But in today's climate, you can never be sure what the intentions are.
 
Wasn't the review embargo supposed to break 5 minutes ago?

Confused High Quality GIF
 
Gaming Nexus (9.5/10)
Subnautica: Below Zero further refines the survival sim, setting a new highpoint for the genre with sky-high production values and amazing world building. Every excursion is risky and rewarding, as the game continues to tease, push, and pull the player ever deeper into its labyrinth. An extraordinary visual delight, Below Zero has the chops to match its graphics with superb gameplay. Subnautica: Below Zero is a masterclass in game design.
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Noisy Pixel (9/10):
Subnautica: Below Zero offers an amazing world of discoveries through a mysteriously captivating campaign to uncover. Every moment exploring is rewarded through stunning environments, and I wanted to continue my adventure if only to see a little more. There are some moments of confusion through resource management, but once you dive in, Subnautica: Below Zero won't have you coming up for air any time soon.
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GameSpew (9/10):
This is a game where there's not a radio tower, time trial or lengthy side-quest to be seen, and with a few exceptions, it's down to you to make your own fun. And you know what? It's an absolute joy to just get out there and mess around, embracing the thrill of discovery. It manages to be fresh, even if you've played the original. Subnautica: Below Zero is the most refreshing, engaging sandbox game I've played in ages and there's no reason why you shouldn't dive right in.
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Game Informer (9/10):
I can't stress just how much fun each dive can be, and how fulfilling the discoveries are. Below Zero is one of the best survival games I've ever played, showing just how impactful player freedom can be within a world that you'll want to explore every inch of.
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Nintendo Life (9/10):
Subnautica and its excellent sequel have arrived on Switch in unexpectedly fine form. This is an absolutely essential survival smorgasbord, a fantastic port and something of a must-buy double feature for fans of the genre. If you're purchasing one or the other separately on Switch we'd still plump for the original game, as Below Zero's fleshed out narrative and on-foot sections dilute the overall experience ever so slightly, but, regardless of which you choose, you're in for a mighty good time here with two of the very best survival games currently available on any platform.
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Press Start Australia (8.5/10):
In a genre that often isn't for everyone, it's hard to see who wouldn't enjoy what Subnautica: Below Zero has to offer. It flourishes an enthralling sense of exploration and progression with a serviceable narrative to boot. It's not without its flaws, but there's nothing quite like it besides its predecessor, perfectly encapsulating the curiosity and dread that comes with exploring the deep.
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PC Invasion (8.5/10):
Subnautica: Below Zero presents an exciting adventure as you explore the unknown. Whether you're trekking through the snow or diving down unfathomable depths, there's a feeling of dread as you try to survive, and a sense of wonderment as you discover something new.
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Destructoid (8.5/10):
Even if there are a lot of shared elements between the two games and the ground-based traversal isn't everything it's cracked up to be, Below Zero's greater focus on character-driven storytelling lands well and this standalone adventure captures the unrivaled magic of underwater exploration all over again.
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Cultured Vultures (8.5/10):
Subnautica: Below Zero makes you feel like arctic explorers as you traverse the icy climate of planet 4546B. If you are able to stick with it and continue to move forward to find ways to dive deeper, Below Zero has plenty of discoveries to uncover.
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TechRaptor (8.5/10):
Subnautica: Below Zero delivers big with storytelling, quality of life improvements, and new beautiful areas to explore.
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PlayStation Universe (8.5/10):
Subnautica: Below Zero is a sublimely addictive timesink and an exemplary survival adventure game that transcends the genre. The improvements to the formula of the original game are minimal but impactful. Fans of the franchise will certainly have plenty to get into, and the appeal is broad enough to welcome many more newcomers to the experience. Whilst there is little ground broken in terms of visuals, Subnautica Below Zero more than compensates with an all-round stellar experience that rivals that of bigger budget productions.
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XboxEra (8.5/10):
Subnautica: Below Zero is a very fun survival game. In my time, I had had little happen in the way of bugs and some minor inconveniences in resource gathering. The story can sometimes feel odds and ends with the way its presented and the gameplay mechanics, and I admittedly had more fun building facilities and exploring Planet 4546b over finding out what happened to Robin's sister. Though for the story-curious, hardcore maniac, or creative, the game offers modes for everyone. I could not say if this is better than the first Subnautica, but it is certainly a strong game in its own right.
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Jeuxvideo.com (16/20, review in French):
Subnautica Below Zero does not seem to want to walk in other steps than that of its big brother. By reducing the map or vehicles, Below Zero is more to be seen as a very good expansion of the original game, more scripted version and a little more hostile than the first episode. If Below Zero undoubtedly does better than the competition when it comes to making a scripted survival game, with a universe as enchanting as it is frightening hand-crafted, it would undoubtedly have gained more from the experience of 'origin to fully conquer the veterans of the franchise, who, despite everything, will take undeniable pleasure to go diving again, just like the newcomers, who will have the chance to discover for the first time this atypical and oh so immersive way of approaching the game of survival.
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Nintendo World Report (8/10):
Ultimately, there is much to discover both below and above the waterline, including aliens, mysterious messages, and even a mech that can walk on the ocean floor. While those looking out for signposting and clear directions should probably keep their feet dry, those who enjoy a more laid-back, albeit grindy, experience can safely dip their toes in these waters.
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Guardian (4/5):
This can be a fiddly game, and certainly isn't one for people who dislike mining or organising elaborate storage systems, but after a couple of years in Early Access this is now a refined and elegant experience, gently paced, where there is always something interesting to pursue through beautiful spaces. Voluntary isolation in the deep cold might not sound like solace after a winter of lockdowns, but Subnautica: Below Zero is cosy and moreish. Dive in, and you may be surprised how deep you end up going.
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TheSixthAxis (8/10):
Subnautica: Below Zero is a masterfully horrific experience that encourages you to push on despite your fears. It's a fine balancing act of the horrors you'll face underwater and the rewards you can get for evading them. It's really very hard, but it's also really very good.
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GameSkinny (8/10):
Subnautica Below Zero works great as both a fascinating aquatic survival and crafting game, and an engaging sci-fi adventure. While it's not quite as impressive as the original, which it takes heavily from, this is still a sizable journey well worth a deep dive.
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Attack of the Fanboy (4/5):
Subnautica: Below Zero doesn't reach the same heights as the first game, but it's proof Unknown World's 2018 survival game wasn't a fluke. The act of exploring a mysterious underwater world whilst trying to survive is nearly as captivating in Below Zero as it was then. I'm still not a fan of the survival genre, yet I loved every moment I spent with Subnautica: Below Zero. I may know most of the tricks by now, but that didn't make the experience any less magical.
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Wccftech (7.5/10):
If you liked Subnautica, Subnautica: Below Zero still has the base of what made the original great - the charm, the wonder, the building and even some of the exploration - but this has been tempered somewhat. The story-focused approach here is interesting, even compelling at parts, but the game doesn't do enough to keep you on track or from getting lost in the many enclosed caves, caverns and tunnels running throughout. Also, like the original, this does have its fair share of bugs and issues. Still, no matter the issues, it is still a genuinely good game. While it may not be as good as the original, it's still up there as one of the better survival games around.
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alucard0712_rus said:
VR on PC is still shit?
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The original with this mod is pretty good
www.nexusmods.com

VR Enhancements

This mod adds features to improve the VR experience in Subnautica.
www.nexusmods.com www.nexusmods.com

Below Zero doesn't have VR... but there's a mod for it
www.nexusmods.com

Native VR Support for Below Zero

This mod brings back native VR support for Subnautica Below Zero. Right now, it's close to the VR implementation of the first Subnautica, but more support is being worked on to add motion controls and
www.nexusmods.com www.nexusmods.com

Ahh PC gaming. Where you can fix shitty games yourself :messenger_smirking:
 
Subnautica was the first game I bought for my new PC when I got it.

I only played for 5 hours.

I should probably finish it, I didnt even know it was an actual game with an end to the story.
 
eyesabitdull said:
Subnautica was the first game I bought for my new PC when I got it.

I only played for 5 hours.

I should probably finish it, I didnt even know it was an actual game with an end to the story.
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It's extremely minimal and feels tacked on to reach an end goal for better or worse.

I got this pre-installed on PS4 now, looking forward to it.
 


Subnautica: Below Zero reviewed on PC by Leana Hafer. Also available on Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.



Subnautica: Below Zero is a great game, one that builds on the solid foundations of its predecessor in smart and interesting ways. Expanded ideas and quality of life improvements make crafting and exploration as engaging as you'd want, and the beautiful underwater world you find yourself in is an absolute joy to explore and exist in.

Some minor issues can get in the way of the game's best parts at times, but in the grand scheme of things, these feel like blips in an otherwise memorable underwater journey.
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My copy arrived yesterday but today is when i properly started the story only a couple of hours in but i'm loving it, the game seems to run really nicely on my base PS4. Thanks to playing the first one i have some horror ocean survival experience so i got up and running faster than i did in the first game, got a selection of tools and a seaglide so i can start exploring but i need to upgrade my tank as i'm not getting very far before i run out of air. Still as horrifying as ever, entering a new biome fills me with dread and hoping nothing decides to fuck you up. I have already been ambushed by some huge fucking nightmare with fins i, turned and ran fast as my seaglide could get me out of there as it slammed into me.
 
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On the fence here... Loved the base game and recently reinstalled it due to the free ps5 upgrade. Ign review said the game is much smaller in scope compared to the base game. Opinions?
 
bring this to psvr and im in. or just bring the original to psvr, id pay for the original game all over again just for that
 
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