Subnautica similar games & best alternatives

Subnautica - Trailer
Subnautica - subnautica_1.avif
Subnautica - subnautica_2.avif
Subnautica - subnautica_3.avif
Subnautica - subnautica_4.avif
Subnautica - subnautica_5.avif
Subnautica - subnautica_6.avif

Subnautica

Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, SteamVR, PlayStation 5, Mac, Oculus Rift, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch • 2018

Should you play it?

Descend into the depths of an alien underwater world filled with wonder and peril. Craft equipment, pilot submarines and out-smart wildlife to explore lush coral reefs, volcanoes, cave systems, and more - all while trying to survive.

What works

  • Immersive and beautiful underwater world
  • Deep exploration and discovery
  • Engaging survival mechanics
  • Extensive base building and crafting
  • Compelling atmosphere and sound design

Things to keep in mind

  • No multiplayer or social features
  • Some bugs and occasional performance issues
  • Lack of in-game map can be challenging
  • Story can be subtle and requires player attention
  • Some grind for resources reported

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feels the closest overall

  • Star Shelter

  • Someday You'll Return: Director's Cut

  • Astrometica: Prologue

  • AETHUS

  • Star Trucker

  • Subnautica: Below Zero

More violent

Games that feels like Subnautica but with more combat and destruction

  • Death in the Water 2

  • Arboria

  • Hollow Knight

  • Vertigo 2

  • AMID EVIL

  • Black Mesa

Less survival-focused

Games that feels like Subnautica but with less survival pressure

  • Sword of the Sea

  • Grow Up

  • The Knightling

  • A Story About My Uncle

  • Under The Waves

  • Zefyr: A Thief's Melody

Choose your own criteria ->

Similarity map

How to compare these games

Compare nearby games

Each card is a nearby game on the similarity map, compared with Subnautica. Swipe sideways to move between games. Titles already listed in What to play next are left out.

  • Cover and title: open that game’s page.
  • What works / keep in mind: the same highlights as the desktop comparison panel.
  • Bars: the main motivational differences versus this game.
How to use the graph

Similarity map

Each dot is a game placed from its motivation profile relative to this page’s game. Direction shows which motivation differs most; distance along that axis shows how large the gap is.

  • Purple star: this page’s game at the centre — everything is relative to it.
  • Direction: each axis is a main motivational difference vs this game (e.g. more / less competitive).
  • Distance on an axis: how large that difference is (ring scales show +/− points).
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot to preview that game in the panel on the right; click to keep that comparison.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom.

How to read the map This is a polar difference map: direction = which motivation differs, and distance = how much (same units as the sidebar deltas).

Swipe to compare nearby games with Subnautica. These titles are not in What to play next.

Subnautica: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Violence, Survival, Fellowship, Intimacy. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Exploration. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence, Leadership.

Last update: 21/08/2026