Subnautica: Below Zero

 PlayStation 5
Subnautica: Below Zero Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 66 Ratings

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  • Summary: Below Zero is an underwater adventure game set on an alien ocean world. It is a new chapter in the Subnautica universe and developed by Unknown Worlds. Return to planet 4546B. Dive into a freezing underwater adventure. Below Zero is set in an arctic region of planet 4546B. As a scientistBelow Zero is an underwater adventure game set on an alien ocean world. It is a new chapter in the Subnautica universe and developed by Unknown Worlds. Return to planet 4546B. Dive into a freezing underwater adventure. Below Zero is set in an arctic region of planet 4546B. As a scientist posted to a research station on the planet's surface, you are tasked with studying alien artifacts...

    The Vesper space station orbits high above you, sending supplies, instructions, and receiving samples you launch from the surface.When disaster strikes the research station, you must improvise to survive: Construct habitats, scavenge for resources, hunt for food, and craft equipment.    … Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Gaming Nexus
    May 11, 2021
    95
    Subnautica: Below Zero further refines the survival sim, setting a new highpoint for the genre with sky-high production values and amazing world building. Every excursion is risky and rewarding, as the game continues to tease, push, and pull the player ever deeper into its labyrinth. An extraordinary visual delight, Below Zero has the chops to match its graphics with superb gameplay. Subnautica: Below Zero is a masterclass in game design.
  2. Atomix
    May 18, 2021
    86
    Subnautica: Below Zero is easily one of the best survival/exploration games of this year, and you should definitely check it out even if you weren't a fan of the first game.
  3. Digital Chumps
    May 12, 2021
    85
    Subnautica: Below Zero is not as large as 2014’s Subnautica but it is as deep. Between its fantastically mysterious story to its compelling biome, Below Zero builds upon what made the first game strong while being unique all on its own. The on-land segments of the game were pretty lackluster overall, which was slightly disappointing; but for a game that is all about discovering what lies beneath, Subnautica: Below Zero is a breath of fresh air.
  4. Jeuxvideo.com
    May 11, 2021
    80
    Subnautica Below Zero does not seem to want to walk in other steps than that of its big brother. By reducing the map or vehicles, Below Zero is more to be seen as a very good expansion of the original game, more scripted version and a little more hostile than the first episode. If Below Zero undoubtedly does better than the competition when it comes to making a scripted survival game, with a universe as enchanting as it is frightening hand-crafted, it would undoubtedly have gained more from the experience of 'origin to fully conquer the veterans of the franchise, who, despite everything, will take undeniable pleasure to go diving again, just like the newcomers, who will have the chance to discover for the first time this atypical and oh so immersive way of approaching the game of survival.
  5. GameCritics
    May 18, 2021
    80
    Despite my problems with the above-water sequences, I still found Subnautica: Below Zero to be a delight. It expands on the first game’s worldbuilding, offers surprises and thrills in equal measure, and most importantly, it takes a huge amount of frustration (if not all of it) out of survival. The end of the story promises a third chapter which could open up the world in even more intriguing ways, and if the developers can keep improving their formula, I’m very excited to see what’s next.
  6. PlayStation LifeStyle
    May 15, 2021
    80
    Subnautica: Below Zero will grow on you, if you give it time. While the beginning hours aren’t nearly as rough as the last time around, a dedicated session or two of several hours is essentially mandatory before the adventure really starts to open up. After that, though, the sense of exploration is fantastic, the story is engaging, and the views can be spectacular. Fans of Subnautica should pick this up as soon as they can, and anyone else interested in exploration-style games should also give it a shot. Subnautica: Below Zero continues in its predecessor’s footsteps in all the right ways, with some additions that help make the adventure more accessible. You’ll be glad you took the plunge.
  7. Push Square
    May 11, 2021
    70
    Not everyone will warm up to Subnautica: Below Zero, but it’s an unquestionably rewarding release once you begin to get a foothold into the frigid foray. The game’s constantly tantalising you with new, exciting equipment, and its otherworldly ocean is an immersive environment in which to spend your time. A lack of landmarks mean that it can be a little too easy to get lost, and the story is light and largely uninteresting – but if the act of building an underwater base appeals to you, then this PS5 sequel unquestionably has strong foundations.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 25
  3. Negative: 13 out of 25
  1. Zonnie556
    May 21, 2021
    9
    I purchased this game about a year after playing the original and wow, What an amazing experience! This game topped the original in bothI purchased this game about a year after playing the original and wow, What an amazing experience! This game topped the original in both content and story, the game has greatly improved and was worth the wait. I have seen people complain that theres less content but to me that didn't matter, it still gave me a great experience and literally blew the original out of the water, if you enjoyed the first I would highly recommend this game, just know the fear factor has been dimmed down a lot.… Expand
  2. magicsany
    Aug 28, 2022
    9
    Sub-Nautica Below Zero is a solid sequel for the original subnautica game. The graphics and gameplay are essentially the same, but there is aSub-Nautica Below Zero is a solid sequel for the original subnautica game. The graphics and gameplay are essentially the same, but there is a new large location to explore and a new story. The story itself makes no sense, but it helps to guide player to the new locations. There are minor improvements to crafting, new flora/fauna, expanded land exploration and new vehicles to control. The game is just as good as original subnautica (if no point are taken out for the silly story). I wish they would introduce new gameplay features and give players a reason to stay on the planet longer. After all upgrades are crafted and all locations explored – there is not much to do in the game. There is no multiplayer. Below Zero feels like DLC or mod rather than a new game. But it is still worth playing, especially for people who enjoyed original game.… Expand
  4. Jollyolfun
    Nov 18, 2022
    8
    not as good as the original but pretty dope. my game broke at the end so i couldnt really get to the ending legit but it ws cool
  5. piston
    May 19, 2021
    4
    The first game was amazing, i gave it a 9/10. There are 5 problems with this one.

    1. The crashes are unacceptable. I got cyberpunk on day one    The first game was amazing, i gave it a 9/10. There are 5 problems with this one.

    1. The crashes are unacceptable. I got cyberpunk on day one and this crashed more.



    2. I feel like the developer wanted to make this more 'accessable'. In the first game i died twice before i figured out that bladderfish would provide water. It also took me 3 days (6-12hours a day) to find nickle. I didn't build a scanner room till late in the game because I didn't know how invaluable it was, but the game let me learn that by myself. This game holds your hand and makes it laughably easy.

    3. The land based gameplay is ridiculous. Not hard mind you, just annoying. It was bad before, but now there is so much that i wonder why they thought this was a good idea.

    4. I understand they wanted to go full sjw to appease karen on twitter, but in the first game > I < was stuck on an alien planet. Now, the female poc was, along with her female poc AI. Pandering to a vocal minority is more alienating than than the planet is supposed to make you feel. The experience suffered as you feel disconnected, as YOU are not stuck on the island, the character is. In the original game the silent protagonist made you the protagonist.

    5. There is no optimization as they obviously dont have the team to optimize for so many platforms, so on the ps5 we get textures that belong on a switch or x1s.

    In the end its ok, i would give it s seven, but the crashes made me bring it down. Let me be clear, its a good game, but I recommend you play the original and wait for this to go on sale. Hey devs, if you are listening, do is all a favor. Talk to SONY, they will send out mark cerny or shuhei yoshida, give you funding, and ensure your next game, ( and i think i speak for the community when i say PLEASE GIVE US SUBNAUTICA 3!!) but let sony help. You obviously dont have the team to optimize for 7 platforms. Still love what you created, thx for the experience.

    Oh, and what happened to the jokes? They were funny in the first game.    … Expand
  6. MrMiggins
    May 20, 2021
    3
    The original Subnautica is one of the greatest video games ever made. It is absolute perfection in terms of visual and sound design, music,The original Subnautica is one of the greatest video games ever made. It is absolute perfection in terms of visual and sound design, music, game-play and writing. So it was with great anticipation that I looked forward to the release of the sequel, Subnautica: Below Zero. The same great visual design is still there, but something felt off from the get-go.

    There are some major differences between the two games that make Below Zero a hollow and unsatisfying facsimile of the original. Most importantly, they got rid of the genius guy who wrote the original story and lore. The quality of writing and narrative choices in Below Zero are vastly inferior to its predecessor. In the original game, you, the player, are the protagonist. It's incredibly immersive to be lost in this hostile alien world with only your PDA (a computer assistant with a beautiful, soothing voice that reminded me a lot of Scarlett Johansson) for company.

    In Below Zero, your PDA is now inexplicably voiced by the sound of an irate tech-support scammer. Instead of you, yourself, being the protagonist, you now play as a woman named Robin. The game constantly reminds you of this by means of internal monologues as Robin tells you how she feels about the objects she finds, the dreams she has, or her thoughts on music. Robin likes to talk about her feelings a lot. It's such a huge departure from the original game that wisely put you, the player, at the heart of the story.

    The original Subnautica had so much atmosphere and was genuinely terrifying at times. Progress was carefully paced, with expertly crafted level design. The better the gear you acquired, the deeper down into the ocean you could go. The deeper you went, the scarier things became. All that is gone in Below Zero. There's no sense of danger or dread, and little has been done to expand upon the mechanics of the original game. There are some new items to build, and the addition of land-based monsters to avoid, but that's about it. The iconic music from the first game has been replaced with blander and less memorable themes. Without all the wonderful things that made the original game so great, you're only really left with the worst aspects of it, namely the repetition of resource collection. You're just going through the motions and It gets tedious very quickly.

    All in all, there is little to recommend here. The original Subnautica was and still is a masterpiece, but Below Zero is extremely disappointing. It's like the original game with all the humor, tension, excitement and awesomeness sucked out of it. It's a boring, repetitive slog.    … Expand
  7. loganze
    May 17, 2021
    0
    Comparado con la versión de la competencia en esta plataforma luce mediocre
  8. spoogicus
    May 18, 2021
    0
    You may want to hold off on buying this until they fix the crash on loading a saved game issue on the PS5. Otherwise, you'll find yourselfYou may want to hold off on buying this until they fix the crash on loading a saved game issue on the PS5. Otherwise, you'll find yourself like me - having to choose between losing 16hrs of progress or starting a new game or not playing it.… Expand

See all 25 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2021
66
#66 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2021

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