Surviving the alien sea
The first Subnautica game is still one of the few in the genre that I really got into. It’s combination of an alien world alongside the gorgeous art direction and streamlined game play really drew me into its world. With Below Zero the team at Unknown Worlds has brought back that magic while focusing on a more personal narrative that crafts a follow-up worth exploring.
This time around players will be stepping into the shoes of xenobiologist Robin Ayou as she searches for her sister on the world of 4546B. This is the same world from the first game and as before most of it is completely underwater. As the name implies though, this story takes place in a more frigid region with plenty of floating ice platforms and new and unique creatures.
MSRP: $29.99
Platforms: XSX (reviewed), XSS, XB1, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch
Price I’d Pay: $29.99
Much like its predecessor, Below Zero is all about exploration, crafting, and uncovering the mysteries on the alien planet. The story is pieced together by finding clues and voice logs that lead Robin on her journey. Along the way she will gain access to new blueprints that unlock new technology that can be crafted. It is a solid loop that kept me intrigued to the very end.
Also much like the previous game there is not an abundance of actual combat. Instead the game focuses more on exploration. When there are large enemies blocking the path, the solution is usually to sneak past them or distract them to explore new areas. Being underwater has always given me anxiety in video games, but Below Zero does a nice job of easing the player into new areas all while relying on its visual aesthetic to convey safe spaces to them. It is a nice balance and eased my anxiety quite a bit.
Being a survival game comes with its qualms. One thing I appreciated is that Below Zero continues the trend and allows players to turn off things such as thirst and hunger. I find these pieces to be more of an annoyance than anything, so I was pleased to know I could turn them off and just explore. There is also a sandbox mode that allows players to freely craft and just wander around, which in a game this beautiful is certainly a treat.
It goes without saying, but this game is absolutely gorgeous. It has been a while since I booted up the original, so this was all new on my shiny new Series X. The art design is just so pronounced and colorful. The world feels alive and it is just a joy to traverse through the map. The sound design is equally impressive with great ambience and solid voice acting. This is one polished experience that truly shines on the new gen console.
The map and campaign length are a touch smaller than the original game. It took me around 10 hours to finish the campaign, which felt just right. I could always go back into free mode and just explore the alien planet if I wanted to.
Subnautica: Below Zero is a great follow-up to one of the best in the genre. It dishes out the survival aspects in more digestible chunks than some of the more extreme cases. This makes it much more approachable for players like me who are intimidated by the restrictions of the genre. Do not let the nature of the game scare you away. This is a beautiful experience that I recommend if for nothing else, but to experience the ridiculously beautiful world Unknown Worlds has created.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
