The Subnautica series is one of my all-time favorite games, I own both Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero.
Because I love it so much, I’ve always felt the earlier games didn’t have quite enough to explore, they left me wanting more. I really hope Subnautica 2 delivers a bigger, richer world for players to dive into.
I’m especially fond of the series’ unique art style: it’s techy and futuristic, but never overly sci-fi.
It strikes a perfect balance between realism and imagination.
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The single-player experience in the previous games creates a deeply immersive sense of solitude, that’s part of what makes them so special.
But by the late game, once I’ve built a full base, unlocked advanced gear, and ventured into the deepest, most mysterious parts of the ocean, I often find myself wishing I could share that sense of accomplishment and wonder with someone else.
From what we’ve seen in the official developer videos, Subnautica 2 seems designed exactly for this moment.
It keeps the solo experience intact while adding a well-thought-out multiplayer mode, so you can either explore the depths alone in quiet reflection, or team up with friends for shared adventures.
According to the Steam page, Subnautica 2 is scheduled to release in 2026, though no exact date has been announced yet.
You can already add it to your wishlist.
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Based on the official Subnautica 2 developer vlog, here’s a quick rundown of the exciting new features coming to the game’s multiplayer mode!
Multiplayer is completely optional
From day one, every feature in Subnautica 2 has been built with multiplayer in mind, but you’re never forced to play with others. You can explore the ocean depths solo for that classic, immersive experience, or invite friends to join you at any time.
Most importantly, the game won’t require mandatory co-op actions, like needing two players to flip a switch together, so your single-player experience stays intact.
Seamless switch between solo and multiplayer
You can take an existing single-player save and turn it into a multiplayer session, keeping all your progress while bringing friends along for the rest of the journey.
Or, if you prefer, you can start fresh with a brand-new multiplayer world.
Even better: the game supports cross-platform invites, so no matter what system your friends are on, you can easily bring them into your game, finally making “play with anyone” a reality.
New vehicle: the Dive Elevator
The developers specifically highlighted a new vehicle built for co-op play: the Dive Elevator.
You and your friends can ride it down into the deep together, and attach gear, resources, or even smaller vehicles to the outside of the elevator.
Once your dive is done, the elevator automatically returns to base, bringing everything you collected back with you.
This not only makes teamwork more efficient but also adds a fun, strategic layer to exploration.
Full support for handheld devices
Subnautica 2 will be fully optimized for portable devices like the Steam Deck.
The team even has a dedicated group focused on making sure the game runs great on the go, so you really can explore the ocean “anytime, anywhere, with anyone.”
They’ve also completely reworked character animations to work well in multiplayer.
For example, when swimming, your first-person view shows subtle hand movements, but when others see you (in third-person), they see full-body animation. The system switches intelligently between the two to keep everything looking natural and believable.
The joy of playing together
At the end of the video, the devs shared how much fun actual co-op play has been: one person scans creatures while another gathers resources, and everyone works together to face the ocean’s dangers.
That moment when you and a friend both jump in fear or cheer in excitement is exactly the kind of shared experience multiplayer brings to Subnautica 2.
Note: The above is my personal take on the developer video. Final gameplay and features may differ please refer to official sources for the latest information.
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