Subnautica: Below Zero

An underwater alien world best served cold

Careers don’t come much cooler than ‘interplanetary scuba diver’, and in this case that’s literal. Swimming through an endless sea in search of alien wildlife, uncovering the story behind the crash of a submerged space vessel… these core elements of surprise and discovery are as enticing in Subnautica’s second outing as they were in its first. But we’re revisiting planet 4645B for business, not pleasure, and it isn’t long before sub-zero temperatures start to pose a suite of testing survival challenges.

Initially developed as a paid expansion to 2014’s underwater adventure, Below Zero has since graduated to the status of standalone sequel. This change in direction has meant it often feels caught between the two worlds, with there being a lot of carry-over from the original game. The HUD, for instance, is almost completely unchanged, and much of what you do in the early hours is also familiar. Craft a survival knife? Check. Expand your O2 tank? Of course. Such mandatory habits will be exhilarating to newcomers, but veteran players will probably want to push through them quickly to swim out into the new stuff.

The major difference here is that huge portions of the map are now caked in ice, tying into Below Zero’s new survival mechanic: temperature. Where the previous game’s chief survival mode required you to monitor your oxygen, health, thirst, and hunger levels, now you also have to be wary of getting too cold. The threat of freezing to death isn’t much of a problem initially, yet as you explore deeper sea levels and even some above-ground locations surrounded by snow and glaciers, planning your routes so as to make use of heat sources becomes second nature.

IN THE SNOW

Will you hope that your upcoming destination is full of cosy Thermal Plants, pack a warm Thermos, or put in the hours to craft a Cold Suit? The addition of temperature doesn’t necessarily make surviving planet 4645B more difficult because you’re constantly improving your resistances by crafting different blueprints and recipes. However, it can influence how you approach expeditions. Much like before, these examples (sometimes literally) represent the tip of the iceberg of what Below Zero will ask of you. This is a survival game in the truest sense, refusing to hold your hand. Learning how X can potentially equal Y allows for several satisfying ‘a-ha’ moments.

Below Zero’s story isn’t what we’d call groundbreaking [or icebreaking – ed], but it does play a far larger role in this game than the first. You play as the previous protagonist’s sister, seeking answers about what happened in the first game, while also uncovering what the

Learning how X can potentially equal Y allows for several satisfying ‘a-ha’ moments.

shady Alterra Corporation is up to, and revealing a possible precursor alien race.

Unfortunately, a lot of this intrigue is confined to PDA logs and text entries. This makes the rare moments when you do interact with NPCs exciting. Subnautica’s worldbuilding is almost as rich as the planet’s waters. Which is ironic, seeing as you have to dive deep to get the most out of it.

GOING SIDEWAVES

Playing on PS5, it’s never a chore to stay underwater when in search of resources. And while Below Zero suffers from a good degree of environmental pop-in (especially when using fast vehicles like the seatruck), it’s never enough to distract you from planet 4645B’s hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. One minute you can be peacefully mining copper ore deep within a creepvine seabed, and the next you’re swimming for your life trying to dodge the jaws of a Brute Shark. Times like these remind you that this world’s ocean is hostile and very different from our own.

Subnautica: Below Zero succeeds in giving you just enough reason to plunge back into its torturous waters for an ice bath. Mechanical updates may be slight, but the introduction of glacial regions coupled with a handful of fresh tools and a slightly stronger emphasis on story demands you keep your survival instincts sharp. The bitter cold brings added challenges – both above and below sea level.

Though it’s obvious this wasn’t intended to be a true sequel, Below Zero’s frozen trimmings still make it a worthwhile expedition. Be patient to get to the good stuff. Aaron Potter

Below Zero continues Subnautica’s penchant for filling you with wonder after discovering something new, like this sea base.

1 Some of the most valuable blueprints require a specific tool to access. 2 It doesn’t happen often, but Below Zero pulls you along in brief story moments featuring NPCs. 3 The seatruck is one of the most useful vehicles.