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Subnautica: Below Zero

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2 • 2021

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Quick resume

Dive into a freezing underwater adventure on an alien planet. Below Zero is set two years after the original Subnautica. Return to Planet 4546B to uncover the truth behind a deadly cover-up. Survive by building habitats, crafting tools, & diving deeper into the world of Subnautica.

Global score

90/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie

Similar games

    Pros

    • Immersive exploration and atmosphere
    • Strong base building and customization
    • Engaging survival mechanics
    • Compelling alien world and creatures
    • Quality-of-life improvements over original

    Cons

    • Smaller map and less variety than original
    • Land navigation and vehicle controls can be frustrating
    • Story considered weaker or rushed by some
    • Less scary and intense than original
    • Some repetitive or cramped environments

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Cooperation, Leadership, Violence. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Expression, Survival. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Competition.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players can freely explore underwater and land areas, build bases, and choose their own pace and approach to survival and story progression."

    • Competence
      3

      "The game involves skillful resource gathering, crafting, base building, and navigation challenges, with some technical difficulty in vehicle control and survival mechanics."

    • Competition
      -5

      "The game is a single-player experience focused on personal survival and exploration without competitive elements."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Many players report long playtimes and multiple playthroughs, indicating habitual engagement and attachment to the game."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "The game is designed for solo play with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

    • Creativity
      4

      "Strong base building system with many customization options and decorative elements encourages creative expression."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are limited to NPCs and environmental challenges."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game to immerse themselves in an alien underwater world, escaping real life through exploration and survival."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players explore new biomes, try different vehicles and base designs, and experiment with survival strategies."

    • Exploration
      4

      "Core gameplay revolves around discovering new underwater and land areas, biomes, and secrets."

    • Expression
      4

      "Customization of bases and some vehicle modules allows for personal expression."

    • Fantasy
      4

      "The game features an imaginative alien ocean world with fictional creatures and sci-fi elements."

    • Fellowship
      -4

      "Minimal social connection; mostly solitary experience with limited NPC interaction."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players learn survival skills, crafting recipes, and navigation through gameplay progression."

    • Health
      -4

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention for resource management, exploration, and survival; not suited for background play."

    • Intimacy
      -4

      "Limited emotional connection mostly through story and NPC dialogue; no player-to-player intimacy."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements present."

    • Progression
      4

      "Strong emphasis on collecting resources, crafting upgrades, and unlocking new technologies."

    • Relaxation
      2

      "Some players find the exploration relaxing, but survival threats and navigation challenges create tension."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Enjoyable visual and auditory experience with atmospheric music and detailed environments."

    • Status
      -5

      "No social status or recognition systems; achievements are personal."

    • Story
      3

      "Narrative-driven with voiced characters and lore, though some players find the story less compelling than the original."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Players must plan resource gathering, base building, and exploration routes strategically."

    • Thrill
      2

      "Some suspense from survival threats and environmental hazards, but less intense than the original game."

    • Value
      3

      "Generally considered good value for price with many hours of gameplay and frequent sales."

    • Violence
      1

      "Some combat and defense against creatures, but focus is more on survival and exploration than violence."

    • Survival
      4

      "Core gameplay revolves around managing resources, avoiding threats, and staying alive in a hostile environment."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026