Subnautica: Below Zero

 PlayStation 5
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 66 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 66
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 66
  3. Negative: 23 out of 66
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  1. inopinatus
    Jun 6, 2021
    5
    A mediocre sequel to a masterpiece.

    Below Zero's reduced play area, predictable enemies, meandering/incoherent narrative, underdeveloped characters, and gimmicky mechanics, are a huge let-down. The game feels half-baked, unchallenging, uninspired, and incomplete. As others have reported, it's also unstable to the point of unplayable. When I started it was crashing maybe once an    A mediocre sequel to a masterpiece.

    Below Zero's reduced play area, predictable enemies, meandering/incoherent narrative, underdeveloped characters, and gimmicky mechanics, are a huge let-down. The game feels half-baked, unchallenging, uninspired, and incomplete.

    As others have reported, it's also unstable to the point of unplayable. When I started it was crashing maybe once an hour, and this was annoying; towards the end it was crashing every five minutes, and this was downright enraging. I eventually lost all progress when the game crashed during save and corrupted itself.

    I could not be bothered restarting. I'd played through the original twice just for fun, but I won't be returning to Below Zero.    … Expand
  2. botox
    May 20, 2021
    6
    I've discovered the original game purely by accident -- as it was free for download, as a part of the 'Stay at home' initiative. And it turned out to be one of the best survival games/stories I've ever played. So I was super excited to see this sequel being released, and bought it as soon as it came out.

    PROS: Improved graphics, about 20% of game is played on land with new creative    I've discovered the original game purely by accident -- as it was free for download, as a part of the 'Stay at home' initiative. And it turned out to be one of the best survival games/stories I've ever played. So I was super excited to see this sequel being released, and bought it as soon as it came out.

    PROS: Improved graphics, about 20% of game is played on land with new creative elements, new base elements and vehicles.

    NEUTRAL: Biomes are brighter and both biomes and creatures are far less scary.

    CONS: The storyline is somehow interesting, but not as deep nor intriguing as the original one - it's more of a flat story with no twists. Priced as the original game, but gameplay totals at around 1.5 days, in contrast to the original with 7+ days to finish main story. All in all, seems more of an expansion pack than a sequal. I'd recommend buying, but only if it's on sale.    … Expand
  3. StoicPrince
    Jun 3, 2021
    5
    Amazing game but crashes constantly on PS5 after 20 hours of gamesplay. It's unplayable after 20 hours due to all the crashing. I keep getting the error CE-108255-1. I uninstallled the game, rebuilt the database, cleared the cache and reinstalled the game. The game still keeps crashing. Devs, please fix this issue because the game is great otherwise. Low score is due to constant crashing.
  4. Julinitot
    Feb 21, 2022
    6
    With this 2nd iteration, the game lost 2 major elements that made the first subnautica a very special experience: the element of surprise (with very few new game mechanics, it feels more like a dlc than an entirely new game) and the feeling of being stranded alone on a dangerous planet (here you will share most of the story with a par of npcs). It's still a decent game with a relaxing baseWith this 2nd iteration, the game lost 2 major elements that made the first subnautica a very special experience: the element of surprise (with very few new game mechanics, it feels more like a dlc than an entirely new game) and the feeling of being stranded alone on a dangerous planet (here you will share most of the story with a par of npcs). It's still a decent game with a relaxing base building & exploration gameplay but throughout this 10-15h story, I have almost never felt this was a step forward for the franchise.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Edge Magazine
    Jun 17, 2021
    80
    Below Zero excels when it commits to its free-flowing open-world sensibilities. [Issue#360, p.114]
  2. Washington Post
    Jun 11, 2021
    70
    Curiously, the way Below Zero oscillates from long restive stretches between points of interest to short bursts of perilous activity absorbed my attention in ways many more-frenzied popular horror games don’t.
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  3. PLAY
    May 29, 2021
    70
    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. [Issue#2, p.84]
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