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Subnautica: Below Zero leaves early access this May

After spending some time in early access, the Subnautica sequel is getting a full release.

February 25, 2021 9:00 AM

It’s been two years since Subnautica: Below Zero went into early access, allowing fans to dive back into the world that was so beloved in the original Subnautica game. In that time, developer Unknown Worlds Entertainment has taken player feedback, and made several adjustments to the game. Now, it’s been announced that Subnautica: Below Zero will leave early access and get a full release this May.

Unknown Worlds Entertainment announced Subnautica: Below Zero’s exit from early access on February 25, 2021. Players will be able to pick up the full release of Subnautica: Below Zero on May 14 for Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC. The game will cost $29.99 and will receive a digital as well as physical release.

“Subnautica: Below Zero has grown and evolved based on community feedback in Early Access and we’re excited to finally launch the full-blown sequel to Subnautica,” said Ted Gill, President of Unknown Worlds Entertainment. “After two years of implementing player feedback and adding new features and content, we’re excited to welcome players back to the depths of Planet 4546B to find an all new experience on PC and console.”

The Subnautica sequel takes place under the surface of Planet 4546B, which is described as “an alien world where mysterious aquatic creatures and other watery wonders test the limits of how far they’re willing to go to survive.”

Subnautica: Below Zero exits early access and hits full release on May 14 for home consoles and PC. For more on the Subnautica series, stay right here on Shacknews.

Donovan Erskine

News Editor

Donovan is a journalist from Maryland. His oldest gaming memory is playing Pajama Sam on his mom's desktop during weekends. Pokémon Emerald, Halo 2, and the original Star Wars Battlefront 2 were some of the most influential titles in awakening his love for video games. After interning for Shacknews throughout college, Donovan graduated from Bowie State University in 2020 with a major in broadcast journalism and joined the team full-time. He is a huge film fanatic and will talk with you about movies and games all day. You can follow him on twitter @Donimals_

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 reply
February 25, 2021 9:00 AM

Donovan Erskine posted a new article, Subnautica: Below Zero leaves early access this May
- mlev
  
   reply
  February 25, 2021 9:43 AM
  
  ofukya!
- icecreambus
  
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  February 25, 2021 9:53 AM
  
  Awww yeah May is looking good for gaming!
- skizl
  
   reply
  February 25, 2021 9:54 AM
  
  nice, glad they finally have a date for this. i haven't finished it, but have played a significant amount. the game feels pretty much done as it is. i just haven't really been able to get into the parts on land :/
- [deleted] 662346004
  
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  February 25, 2021 10:09 AM
  
  [deleted]
- trelain
  
   reply
  February 25, 2021 10:18 AM
  
  Subnautica: Below Zero now has a release date of .... May 14 :(
  - AlphaMaj
    
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    February 25, 2021 10:40 AM
    
    On the bright side, Breathedge is out of EA today. Really looking forward!
    - trelain
      
       reply
      February 25, 2021 10:41 AM
      
      Yeah that looks interesting.
    - shackwack
      
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      February 25, 2021 4:32 PM
      
      oooooooh I got in on this super cheap at the start of the year in a humble bundle, going to check it out! thanks for the reminder
  - megarust32
    
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    February 25, 2021 10:50 AM
    
    Ah thanks for sharing. That's too bad but it will be great for them to get it done just right. We all want a worthy followup to the first.
    - trelain
      
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      February 25, 2021 10:52 AM
      
      Oh yeah, I'm fine for them to take their time. Just I really want to play it. I've waited this long though without touching early access so I can wait a bit longer.
      - megarust32
        
         reply
        February 25, 2021 10:56 AM
        
        Hold tight, I definitely spoiled myself a bit
        
        trelain
        
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        February 25, 2021 10:57 AM
        
        I will hold like r/wallstreetbets holds GME.
    - spazzium
      
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      February 25, 2021 11:23 AM
      
      Agreed!
  - Moonbase Commander
    
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    February 25, 2021 11:01 AM
    
    ngl, the only game I'm really hyped for this year is Evil Genius 2. I loved Subnautica but nothing comes close to EG2 for me.
    - trelain
      
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      February 25, 2021 11:02 AM
      
      I'm hyped for that also
  - Ride-My-Rocket
    
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    February 25, 2021 11:02 AM
    
    Good things come to those who wait.
  - loke662
    
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    February 25, 2021 11:17 AM
    
    My 9 yr old is getting into Subnautica after watching me play. I wish it was multi... :\
    - trelain
      
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      February 25, 2021 11:18 AM
      
      I think you'd lose the story immersion if it was multiplayer.
      - kelbane
        
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        February 25, 2021 12:30 PM
        
        Yeah, a lot of the immersion comes from the crushing isolation and the vulnerability that it brings. It does a really good job at making you feel small.
      - TheNiXXeD
        
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        February 25, 2021 1:00 PM
        
        No way. So you were both on the escape pod together. Story immersion problem solved.
        
        trelain
        
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        February 25, 2021 1:02 PM
        
        Eh not really
        
        TheNiXXeD
        
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        February 25, 2021 1:03 PM
        
        I mean literally every single person I know that's played has said they'd like multiplayer. You can certainly continue to enjoy it solo.
        
        trelain
        
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        February 25, 2021 1:08 PM
        
        As an optional mode I guess it would be fine, but I don't really see it as that kind of experience. It's not a procedurally generated survival game. There's a decent set of story beats and a journey you go through as a player that would break if you added co-op. Put that in an optional mode where the story is disabled for people who just want to build crap.
        
        TheNiXXeD
        
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        February 25, 2021 1:10 PM
        
        I want to do the *story* with my kids/wife. You can't agree that we might enjoy it that way? I don't see why you'd argue for less features. It's not going to happen anyway, but it seems silly to argue that we can't/shouldn't enjoy it the way we want.
        
        ughhhhhhh
        
         reply
        February 25, 2021 2:19 PM
        
        A big selling point of The Forest, Valheim, Raft, etc. is coop. It's an unfortunate weakness of Subnautica that they were unable to complete coop.
        
        trelain
        
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        February 25, 2021 3:48 PM
        
        It is a big selling point but those games don't have a linear narrative like Subnautica do they? Genuine question as I assumed they were just survival sandboxes.
        
        TheNiXXeD
        
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        February 25, 2021 6:33 PM
        
        There is actually.
        
        TheNiXXeD
        
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        February 25, 2021 1:08 PM
        
        Actually, I can't think of any reason at all that the story requires one person alone. Virtually all of these survivalcraft games work the same at one player as they do in multiplayer. Story elements are usually triggered by one person. If your argument purely is "it's better alone" well that's not a good argument against someone who wants to play with their kids/spouse/friends in the game. I would replay the game multiple times easily if I could join my family.
        
        Psigun
        
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        February 25, 2021 2:15 PM
        
        Every other survival crafting game works co-op. This one would too.
        
        trelain
        
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        February 25, 2021 2:18 PM
        
        Have you completed the game?
        
        Psigun
        
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        February 25, 2021 2:20 PM
        
        Yes
        
        ughhhhhhh
        
         reply
        February 25, 2021 2:25 PM
        
        I've beaten it too and one of the things I love about Subnautica is the feeling of empowerment I got as I advanced through the tech tree towards the end, and part of that is campaign/story based. It's not to say that it'd be impossible to make coop a part of it though.
        
        TheNiXXeD
        
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        February 25, 2021 2:41 PM
        
        I also completed it and it's one of my biggest wishes for the series. I absolutely love the game and the story.
    - [deleted] 1149285487
      
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      February 25, 2021 11:19 AM
      
      [deleted]
      - TheNiXXeD
        
         reply
        February 25, 2021 1:02 PM
        
        How well does it work?
  - Flynn
    
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    February 25, 2021 1:53 PM
    
    What’s the estimate for number of gameplay hours it has? I beat the original in 40 hours maybe.
    - [deleted] 92559685
      
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      February 25, 2021 5:14 PM
      
      [deleted]
    - multisync
      
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      February 25, 2021 5:32 PM
      
      40!? I finished at something like 250-270hrs.
  - multisync
    
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    February 25, 2021 5:34 PM
    
    Has anyone watched The Head on HBO Max. It’s what I kind of imagine the game to be like.
    
    https://m.imdb.com/title/tt8290362/