Release OrderRecommended
0 / 3 playedTwo games in order, sequel next.
- 1 Subnautica Aurora crash. Start here.
- 2 Subnautica: Below Zero Arctic spires story.
- 3 Subnautica 2 Early access, currently set 2026.
About Subnautica
Subnautica launched in 1.0 in January 2018 from Unknown Worlds about Ryley Robinson surviving planet 4546B after the Aurora crash. Below Zero (2021) follows Robin Ayou on the arctic spires chasing her sister's fate with the Architect Al-An. Subnautica 2 was announced for early access with a new planet and co-op, delayed out of 2025 into 2026 amid studio leadership changes.
Krafton owns the series after buying Unknown Worlds, with the sequel's timing still shifting as of 2026. The first two games share the Kharaa bacterium thread while telling standalone survival stories with their own vehicles.
Good to know
Play Subnautica first through its rocket escape, since the Architects and the Sea Emperor assume the full dive. Then play Below Zero as its own arctic story with the truck and the spy plot. Subnautica 2 slots last once early access lands, currently set for 2026, with co-op as the new way to explore.
