As the person responsible for the creative management of Subnautica: Below zeroI’ve spent a lot of time understanding what the cherished original is all about. SubnauticaMark with a cross. Under zero was built on a game many know and love, but we don’t want to play the exact same song every time. Under zero must reflect the values that have made Subnautica great while also giving the players something new and different.
Subnautica is many things to many people. If I had to describe it in one sentence I could say it is an open world, underwater, science fiction, basic building, survival adventure game with a touch of primal terror. That doesn’t exactly roll off your tongue …
So what’s different about Subnautica? What makes it different from other survival games and how do we go about design and development to create something special and unique?
For me at the core Subnautica is a game about exploration and discovery. Our philosophy is that the experience is best when we trust the players to discover this vast alien world – and its many secrets and surprises – on their own.
We believe that the thrill of discovery, encountering a strange life form at the bottom of the ocean, awakening an ancient extraterrestrial intelligence, and wandering into a brilliant and unexpected underwater cave is so much richer when the players push the experience for themselves.
This affects our approach to design. Our philosophy is to always try propose Direction rather than explicitly offering it. One of the first things players notice is this Subnautica has no missions or goals. We are not telling you that you are 47% (or 110%) through the game. You can find a world map, but we won’t show you your location or orientation (until you build a compass). And what use is a 2D map under water anyway?
It is up to you to find your way around the world and find new ways to survive and explore as you go deeper and further into this planet on your own … or so you may think.
in the Under zeroYou play as xenobiologist Robin Ayou, who arrives at 4546B at great personal risk to find answers to her sister, who died under mysterious circumstances during a previous mission in Sector Zero.
Of course, this pursuit of understanding is not going as you may think, and encounters with other life forms lead you in many unexpected directions. We went to great lengths to create a narrative for the players discover. We’ll give some early clues to get the ball rolling, but then you’re on your own, looking for clues strewn across the deep underwater biomes of this vast world and the vast expanses of its icy tundra.
in the Under zeroIt is up to you to follow the dramatic threads and because of this, players can explore at their own pace. You might just want to build an underwater palace in the Deep Lily Pads where you can contemplate the beauty of the aliens while you customize your Seatruck. You can do this with no stress in creative mode. If you really want to step up the stakes, the hardcore mode will make sure you don’t get too casual while swimming among the alien fish.
Subnautica: Below zero will be available on May 14 for Xbox One and Xbox Series X | S be available. The original Subnautica is next to the release of also as Optimized for Xbox Series X | S titles available Under zeroOwners of the original (digital or physical) can update the extended version for free thanks to Smart Delivery.
Subnautica: Below zero
Unknown Worlds Entertainment, Inc.
$ 29.99
Below Zero is an underwater adventure game set on a strange ocean world. It’s a new chapter in the Subnautica universe and is being developed by Unknown Worlds. Return to Planet 4546B Immerse yourself in a brand new subzero expedition in an arctic region of Planet 4546B. When you arrived with little more than your sanity and some survival gear, you set out to investigate what happened to your sister. Discover the truth Alterra left in a hurry after a mysterious incident. Abandoned research stations shape the region. What happened to the scientists who lived and worked here? Logs, items and databases scattered in the rubble paint a new picture of the incident. With limited resources, you will have to improvise to survive on your own. Explore Unknown Biomes Swim beneath the blue-lit, arched expanse of Twisty Bridges. Let yourself be fascinated by the glittering mammoth crystals in the crystal caves. Climb snow-capped peaks and venture into the icy caves of the glacier basin. Maneuver between erupting hot springs to discover ancient extraterrestrial artifacts. Below Zero offers entirely new environments for you to survive, study, and explore. Build Habitats and Vehicles Survive the harsh climates by building expansive habitats, searching for resources, and crafting equipment. Blast through the snowy tundra on a Snowfox hoverbike. Drive your modular Seatruck through enchanting and dangerous biomes. Exploring extraterrestrial life forms Something undiscovered lurks around every corner. Swim through the giant Titan Holefish, encounter the haunted Shadow Leviathan, and visit the adorable Pengwings. Keep your wits about you. Not all creatures in this alien world are friendly. Survive the cool temperatures Jump in, the water is warm. Sub-zero temperatures in this arctic region pose a new threat. New weather conditions are covering aboveground habitats. Make a toasty cold suit, sip a sip of hot coffee, and warm up next to Thermal Lilies to ward off the cold. An ocean of intrigue What really happened to your sister? Who were the aliens who came here before? Why were you on this planet? Can we find comfort from grief in the truth? Below Zero expands the story of the Subnautica universe and delves deep into the mystery introduced in the original game.
