Subnautica 2 is an underwater survival game set on a new alien world. You explore its habitats, craft tools, and build custom bases to return to between dives. You can play alone or head out online with up to three friends.
The Steam version entered Early Access on May 14, 2026, and remains in development. Unknown Worlds plans to expand the game, while the current version may still contain bugs, unfinished features, and performance issues. Exploration, base building, and the choice between solo and cooperative play define what you can do now.
Explore, Scan, and Push Further
On a dive, you can scan and study the world’s wildlife. The Tadpole submersible helps you travel through underwater areas, while tools and equipment support further exploration. The places and equipment available to you reflect the game’s current Early Access state.
Bases and Cooperative Expeditions
You can design and customize bases to return to after trips beyond shallow water. Subnautica 2 is also built as a single-player experience: online co-op with up to three friends is an option for exploring and building together.
Early Access and Experimental
The default Early Access version is set to receive more content and improvements as development continues. Unknown Worlds also offers an optional Experimental branch on Steam and Xbox for earlier previews of upcoming changes. Serious bugs are possible there, and saves are separate from the default branch: you cannot transfer progress between them. If you want a longer-term world, stay on the default version.
The Subnautica 2 Steam page explains the Early Access scope, and Unknown Worlds details the Experimental branch and its risks.
