Subnautica

 Xbox One
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 130 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 114 out of 130
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 130
  3. Negative: 6 out of 130
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  1. Xbox_Alive
    Dec 10, 2018
    8
    The presentation side of the game does a great job of creating an eerie yet calm atmosphere and both the visuals and sound design stand out a lot. There’s a huge underwater world for you to explore and when exploring nooks and crannies you always tend to get a very rewarding feeling. I found the crafting elements in the game to be very enjoyable and I must admit that I was surprised by theThe presentation side of the game does a great job of creating an eerie yet calm atmosphere and both the visuals and sound design stand out a lot. There’s a huge underwater world for you to explore and when exploring nooks and crannies you always tend to get a very rewarding feeling. I found the crafting elements in the game to be very enjoyable and I must admit that I was surprised by the amount of depth present here. Each aspect of the game’s story has been cleverly designed and the thought and effort placed into the story keeps it interesting throughout. In terms of content the game has a decent amount for you to get to grips with and you’ll no doubt return back to the game time and time again. Every now and then the game suffers with a few technical issues and whilst none of them are game-breaking they can impact on the immersion levels a little. It takes a bit of getting used to at the start and the slow pacing at the start can be a little tedious. Subnautica was in the Xbox Game Preview program for quite a while but I never played the game when it was in that process, but in some ways I wish I had now. Subnautica is a game focused on exploration and survival and I’m pleased to say that they get these aspects spot on. For me exploring always felt rewarding and the underwater world in which the game takes place in is huge and full of secrets along the way. The content the game has then never felt aimless and I must admit that I was surprised by how much content the game had. Accompanying this content is a story that’s not only worth finding out about but it also makes sense as well and this in turn made it stay interesting throughout my time with the game. As mentioned earlier the game features a survival side to it and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much depth the crafting elements have. This depth means then that crafting always felt important and whilst it takes a bit to get going at the start you soon find out that working your way through this slow-pace is very worthwhile. At the end of the day then Subnautica ticked a lot of boxes for me and in many ways it offers a unique experience and when it’s all said and done I can’t recommend this game enough to you. Thumbs up!… Expand
  2. SharkH0ward
    Jan 26, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I got this game from the game pass and i loved it,the game is really awesome the graphics are very nice for an indie game, it also have a very interesting story im almost finishing the game i have my cyclops,P.R.A.W.N and cuddlefish and im ready for a trip to the lost river and them lava zone… Expand
  3. HarryPotter1
    Jan 18, 2018
    10
    Subnautica manages to juggle being gorgeous, rewarding, addictive, mysterious, and fun, whilst also being unbelievably terrifying.
  4. Rbox
    Dec 19, 2018
    6
    Allthough SN is a gripping experience (I've been playing preview since February 2018) the enormous amount of bugs and performance issues take the whole game down. Immersion is constantly and completely broken due to those 2. Still I keep on playing. I want this game to be good so much. But alas the developer chose to put their time into DLC (and the broken PS4 port) instead of fixing theAllthough SN is a gripping experience (I've been playing preview since February 2018) the enormous amount of bugs and performance issues take the whole game down. Immersion is constantly and completely broken due to those 2. Still I keep on playing. I want this game to be good so much. But alas the developer chose to put their time into DLC (and the broken PS4 port) instead of fixing the problems. Without the issues, I would gladly score it 8.5.… Expand
  5. Co-Odyssey
    Jul 2, 2018
    8
    Subnautica sets you free in an unknown world with very little information. Yet the game is not short of any content, it provides you with stories to unfold and depths to be explored. Subnautica swept me away with its gorgeous graphics, addicting rogue like elements, and lovingly crafted game systems. It's worth checking out for anyone with an XBOX or PC.
  6. gentlebenno
    Jun 11, 2019
    7
    Subnautica is an impressive game in the way it keeps you guessing and challenges you to survive in a gaming construct that’s entirely unique. The problem is that all the great stuff is dragged down by performance issues and bugs. In a game where underwater visuals is critical to survival the rendering, draw distance, and lagging are a constant headache. The Scanning Room, a hugeSubnautica is an impressive game in the way it keeps you guessing and challenges you to survive in a gaming construct that’s entirely unique. The problem is that all the great stuff is dragged down by performance issues and bugs. In a game where underwater visuals is critical to survival the rendering, draw distance, and lagging are a constant headache. The Scanning Room, a huge necessary component if you don’t want to waste hours searching randomly, is so filled with bugs that reading about it online is pure laughter. I spent hours trying to get that damn thing to work only to find out that the problem was not me, but the game. At its best moments the game is a lot of fun as you explore new areas, filled with impressive themed music, where sound as well as sight guides you and you learn something new or discover a clue that questions your previous assumptions. I want this game to be so much better, the thought and ideas behind it are enough for a 10 rating. But the performance issues and bugs are inexcusable; I played this game well after a developer patch should have fixed these major issues. Instead, they’re writing a DLC.… Expand
  7. FabricioNery
    Feb 24, 2022
    10
    Fantastic game, where we have a complete immersion in the story. The scenarios are beautiful and very well diversified. Simply sensational.
  8. Jaehaerys61
    Dec 31, 2016
    8
    Sur PC : Jeux apparemment méconnu sur metacritic pourtant il mérite de l'être.

    Exploration sous-marine, collectes, construction et encore je viens juste de commencer le jeux qui j’espère sera encore meilleur à sa sortie d'early access/
  9. Broyax
    Nov 9, 2019
    0
    L'indé du jour est -une fois n'est pas coutume- très joli : ses graphismes épurés restent fort bien faits et le tout est tout-à-fait fluide (!)... Cela dit, rien d'extraordinaire non plus puisqu'il ne s'agit que d'un collectathon bien vide... mais en ce qui concerne le reste en tout cas, le jeu n'est (toujours) pas fini : quid des objectifs, du but, du pourquoi et du comment, quid deL'indé du jour est -une fois n'est pas coutume- très joli : ses graphismes épurés restent fort bien faits et le tout est tout-à-fait fluide (!)... Cela dit, rien d'extraordinaire non plus puisqu'il ne s'agit que d'un collectathon bien vide... mais en ce qui concerne le reste en tout cas, le jeu n'est (toujours) pas fini : quid des objectifs, du but, du pourquoi et du comment, quid de l'histoire ?

    On a bien compris qu'on est un Robinson mais encore ? faut-il finir le jeu à la place de ces feignasses de développeurs qui osent vendre leur machin toujours en bêta ? ou bien faut-il aller sur wikipedia pour la marche à suivre ? c'est une putain de blague, ce truc !

    Evidemment, comme dans tous les jeux de "survie" de cet acabit, on se doute bien qu'l va falloir errer, récolter, ramasser des bidules et des merdes pour fabriquer d'autres bidules et d'autres merdes et ainsi de suite... il faut vraiment avoir du temps à perdre !

    Même le super foireux No Man's Sky avait une interface moins merdique et on se sentait nettement moins perdu. J'ai pas de temps à foutre en l'air dans cette simu sous-marine à la mords-moi-le-zob : revenez, les gars, quand vous aurez enfin un vrai jeu. Pas un concept vaguement injouable.    … Expand
  10. LegoEggo19
    Jan 25, 2019
    9
    This game really is an incredible achievement. It's the kind of thing that a developer strives for, but usually isn't fully realized. Typically I'm not a huge fan of the survival genre, but this game drew me in. The beautiful visuals, and haunting music are excellent. Finding new creatures in the world is a treat, and the sound design for them makes the game much scarier, and much moreThis game really is an incredible achievement. It's the kind of thing that a developer strives for, but usually isn't fully realized. Typically I'm not a huge fan of the survival genre, but this game drew me in. The beautiful visuals, and haunting music are excellent. Finding new creatures in the world is a treat, and the sound design for them makes the game much scarier, and much more real. The only real problem with this game is how much of a grind it can be, but there are things in place to fix this as you make progress. The game essentially throws you in with only a bit of help, and a lot must be learned through trial and error, or just by exploring. This is definitely not a flaw though, the game is designed to be this way. While it can be frustrating, it's very rewarding to find success.… Expand
  11. EA5ucks
    May 23, 2020
    2
    This game does not play well on an Xbox! It's borderline unplayable. Frame rate and pop in is atrocious. 10 seconds to 40 seconds for the terrain and assets to appear in a game where your air tank is measured in seconds! It's full of bugs and game breaking glitches, the feedback system doesn't get replies. Yet No man's sky which is almost identical in concept and design plays fine on aThis game does not play well on an Xbox! It's borderline unplayable. Frame rate and pop in is atrocious. 10 seconds to 40 seconds for the terrain and assets to appear in a game where your air tank is measured in seconds! It's full of bugs and game breaking glitches, the feedback system doesn't get replies. Yet No man's sky which is almost identical in concept and design plays fine on a console even with the terrain editor which was scrapped from Subnautica because they could not fix it!

    Because you only get one save slot, if your game glitches before a save you are screwed and have to start a new game from the start. Don't pilot vehicles near alien bases as they get stuck. Don't read data pad entries in your vehicle as you often find yourself falling out the sub and dying from fall damage like the map failed to load. It's a buggy mess that feels like a early beta not a game released 4 years ago. Say what you like about No Man's Sky, but Sean fixed it and made it into a playable game whereas the Devs on Subnautica just started working on their next game which is a woke, dead version of their first game. I believe this game does play okay on a PC but still has most these bugs. I'm only giving it 2 out of 10 because the story, audio and music is excellent. It's just a shame you can't play the game to enjoy it!    … Expand
  12. MrTusks
    Jan 12, 2021
    7
    Performance problems tarnish a great survival exploration game, but it is definitely worth the struggle.
  13. Rosh24
    Feb 25, 2021
    5
    Runs terribly on the Xbox One. Do not waste your money for this version on the game. Pop-in of the terrain can take ten to fifteen seconds. You will regularly swim yourself behind the terrain and world assets,
    Saving the game takes at least one minute, and even then your 'save' may not exist when you come back to it.
    Other platforms have better versions of this title. The Xbox One    Runs terribly on the Xbox One. Do not waste your money for this version on the game. Pop-in of the terrain can take ten to fifteen seconds. You will regularly swim yourself behind the terrain and world assets,
    Saving the game takes at least one minute, and even then your 'save' may not exist when you come back to it.

    Other platforms have better versions of this title. The Xbox One version is complete trash.    … Expand
  14. adidab14
    Jul 27, 2020
    9
    I wasn’t sure really what to expect with this game. I hadn’t heard a ton about it but it looked interesting and had a really beautiful atmosphere so I jumped in. Turns out it’s basically Minecraft underwater. Being a pretty big fan of Minecraft I was overjoyed. The game looks great, not perfect, but for how big it is and considering it isn’t a AAA title, pretty impressive. The crafting isI wasn’t sure really what to expect with this game. I hadn’t heard a ton about it but it looked interesting and had a really beautiful atmosphere so I jumped in. Turns out it’s basically Minecraft underwater. Being a pretty big fan of Minecraft I was overjoyed. The game looks great, not perfect, but for how big it is and considering it isn’t a AAA title, pretty impressive. The crafting is really enjoyable and relies heavily on exploration so if you enjoy exploring uncharted territory collecting ingredients and such until you can build bigger and better things, this should scratch that itch nicely.
    This game is surprisingly narrative driven, there’s a story here with objectives, and I found myself very much captivated by it. In these sandbox type games, I’m so used to pretty much just being plopped into the world and just going for it with no real story. That isn’t the case here. The great thing is though, the crafting mechanics are super deep, and the world is huge, so there is a TON of space and time to just go off on your own and explore and craft to your heart’s content. There were many times I set out with a story objective in mind and wound up just exploring and collecting crafting ingredients for hours. Before I knew it I completely forgot what I was doing because I was having so much fun just exploring.
    Overall, if you enjoy the crafting of Minecraft, and the open world of a game like Skyrim, stuff that into a huge, mysterious, and often terrifying underwater alien world and you got Subnautica. A surprisingly fantastic game. The only reason I don’t give it a 10 is the graphics aren’t fantastic, the game bugs out a tiny bit from time to time, and there are more than a few objectives/mission critical crafting ingredients that can be simply way too difficult to find on your own. But don’t let that stop you. Give this game a chance, get immersed in the world and I bet you’ll find that you fall in love with the world the way I did.    … Expand
  15. Sushiyuki
    Apr 13, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I've discovered this game in 2016 by a youtube video. Since then, I've been thinking if should i buy and in 2018, i bought it. One of the best games, but unfortunely has some bugs, so i took one point out of 10. If you're thinking about buying a game, with exploration, a great history and beaultiful biomes, buy subnautica. Unknown World is also a great developer, so you can trust'em. Below Zero (Subnautica continuation) is also another incredible game. After this, some spoilers

    The alien base (Aliens that were in 4546B before the player fall in it) and the degasi bases are incredible. I also love the design chosen for the weapon that kills sunbeam    … Expand
  16. Gordy_Cop
    Apr 20, 2020
    9
    This game constantly kept blowing me away with gorgeous visuals, an enthralling story, and overall very fun survival mechanics! The only reason I am giving this phenomenal game a 9 and not a 10 is because I simply encountered too many bugs for it to be a ten. Thank you, Unknown Worlds for a phenomenal game that I will remember forever. I can't wait until Below Zero is finished. - Gordy Cop
  17. Yammy
    May 29, 2020
    9
    Subnautica is an underlooked masterpiece! The game has amazing graphics and atmosphere. The creature designs are inventive and interesting (or terrifying). If you own a console this is on and you like/think you like a suvival game then play this! It's amazing! Although, I will say the one really bad element of this game is the draw distances (I think that is what they call it anyway...).Subnautica is an underlooked masterpiece! The game has amazing graphics and atmosphere. The creature designs are inventive and interesting (or terrifying). If you own a console this is on and you like/think you like a suvival game then play this! It's amazing! Although, I will say the one really bad element of this game is the draw distances (I think that is what they call it anyway...). Basically if you are moving too fast the world has a hard time loading in fast enough. This can be frustrating at times, but this is my only complaint.… Expand
  18. DestinyDoer
    Jun 26, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is scary but fun to play. The story is great. The survival mode may take days or more to complete but I never get bored playing it. There are scary creatures in the game. The creatures may come out of nowhere and it can be very hard to kill some of the creatures. The creature known as the reaper leviathan may not see things but the creature can hear things. Everything else can see things. This sounds very scary.… Expand
  19. Wazcore
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    Not since Outer Wilds have I been this blown away by a game. Truly spectacular.
  20. zePineapple
    Sep 19, 2020
    9
    One of my favorite games! After about 2 minutes of playing I was hooked and couldn't stop thinking about this game until I had beaten it 100%. Amazing world design, with varied and beautiful locations.

    There are a number of simple QOL changes I'd make, and ultimately I deducted because it can be a touch buggy.

    That said, you won't regret playing this great adventure.
  21. Dban1537
    Nov 5, 2020
    10
    This game is extremely fun! There is an entire world to discover with so many different lifeforms its amazing. The main quest is easy enough to follow but it doesn't slap you in the face which is good because it it feels real. All in all its just really great.
  22. Torgall
    Mar 11, 2022
    10
    The most astonishing game I have ever played. The best sound and music design that makes a lot of this game feel very tense, when in fact you are quite safe. I won't write much here to avoid spoilers, just play the game and you won't be disappointed.
  23. Benjaminblue
    Dec 13, 2020
    8
    I can't believe I waited this long to play this game. I remember seeing it when it was in early access. I recently got Xbox ultimate game pass and was happy to see it there. I put SO much time into the game. Resource management games aren't really my thing, but I love this game! I put it down for a moment to play Cyberpunk, but I def will be returning!!
  24. Luis_MO
    Nov 4, 2021
    10
    El juego es entretenido y muy bueno. Hay detalles que me hubiera encantado que expandieran como es una mayor personalización tanto para nuestro personaje como para la construcción. El mapa lo siento variado, a pesar de que puede resultar “pequeño” lo veo muy bien realizado. Al principio puede dar un poco de temor como es mi caso pero luego observas todos los biomas que nos encontramos y laEl juego es entretenido y muy bueno. Hay detalles que me hubiera encantado que expandieran como es una mayor personalización tanto para nuestro personaje como para la construcción. El mapa lo siento variado, a pesar de que puede resultar “pequeño” lo veo muy bien realizado. Al principio puede dar un poco de temor como es mi caso pero luego observas todos los biomas que nos encontramos y la verdad son muy hermosos y llamativos. Sin duda es un juego que recomiendo para pasar un gran rato a solas.
    (Me hubiera encantado que tuviera más contenido y una pantalla dividida o conexión con otros jugadores)
    Por último, algo random me encantó el detalle de las cápsulas del tiempo. Un concepto para mi interesante y agradable.    … Expand
  25. GamePartisan
    Aug 28, 2022
    9
    This game is one that will forever remain a breakthrough in the survival game genre. This game is probably the peak survival game, not because it has a particularly amazing story or survival mechanics but because it perfectly blends survival and horror into an experience you are likely to never forget anytime soon. This does not render the game perfect however, as I was playing through IThis game is one that will forever remain a breakthrough in the survival game genre. This game is probably the peak survival game, not because it has a particularly amazing story or survival mechanics but because it perfectly blends survival and horror into an experience you are likely to never forget anytime soon. This does not render the game perfect however, as I was playing through I was met with one or two technical hiccups and on the Xbox One the map sometimes does not load in fast enough for the Sea moth vehicle. The story is quite simplistic but I think it perfectly retains a player's attention and forces players to confront their fear of the deep, quite simply put the story perfectly compliments the gameplay. I don't think we'll ever quite see another survival game like Subnautica. I'm sure many survival game developers are kicking themselves over not thinking of an underwater survival game sooner, but perhaps that is for the best as Unknown Worlds have pulled this off spectacularly with a vibrant, often haunting map, creative, often frightening creatures and a finished product that is sure to go down in the video game history books. Strongly recommended.… Expand
  26. ccoorreeyy
    Nov 9, 2021
    9
    (Played on an XBOX Series S)

    Highly recommended for people who enjoy Outer Wilds, Minecraft, Abzu, and/or Don't Starve Not recommended for people with intense thalassophobia (fear of deep water) I don't know why I avoided this game for so long. It has some truly spectacular, awe-inspiring moments. It's real accomplishment is how it makes exploration feel dangerous, organic and    (Played on an XBOX Series S)

    Highly recommended for people who enjoy Outer Wilds, Minecraft, Abzu, and/or Don't Starve

    Not recommended for people with intense thalassophobia (fear of deep water)

    I don't know why I avoided this game for so long. It has some truly spectacular, awe-inspiring moments. It's real accomplishment is how it makes exploration feel dangerous, organic and urgent.

    Most survival games the player navigating some form of Heath/Hearth tension. The hearth is the place of refuge, whereas the heath is the dangerous wild. Games will use different tactics to push reluctant players into the Heath - threats to the sanctuary, dwindling supplies, some kind of timer. Subnautica does none of these - your starting area is completely safe, except for the threat of drowning, and remains plentiful in food and drinkable water for the entire game. It's ingenious in how it consistently nudges - but never pushes - to keep exploring past your comfort zone.

    It's not perfect. Object pop-in is inexcusably bad. On-foot sections have questionable physics. Certain creatures (cave crawlers) could go extinct without changing the experience. Some design decisions veer into B-movie cheesiness. And I honestly turned off the music - too much EDM+electronica for what I thought the mood called for.

    But few experiences are going to match those moments of awe I had in the game. The first close encounter with a leviathan alone is easily in my top-20 game moments.    … Expand
  27. DARKNESSgmer
    Jul 4, 2022
    10
    This is a beautiful game, but the loadings are really loong but don't Know ideia it's because of the things the game Has to render or it's My xbox
  28. Kasatka_009
    Nov 7, 2022
    9
    Хорошая игра с прекрасной атмосферой. Игра помогающая расслабиться от всего, хотя в некоторых моментах и напрягающая
  29. Aprettyrainyday
    Nov 12, 2022
    8
    I got so scared that I couldn't cum after seeing the leviathan beacuse I kept picturing it while I masturbated. :(
  30. Gavin77
    Dec 14, 2022
    10
    I absolutely love survival games and this is number 2 on my list, would be number one but its kinda repetitive. I really hoped they'd bring a dlc but sadly it never happened. I wish there was more survival games as good as this

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Best Xbox One Game of 2016
35
#35 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Feb 27, 2019
    80
    A totally unique surveillance experience impressively set in a compelling alien world.
  2. God is a Geek
    Jan 17, 2019
    80
    Subnautica is not without its issues, but it successfully manages to combine a strong sense of exploration and discovery with an interesting story hook and an exceptional soundtrack to make it one of the very best examples of the genre.
    Read full review
  3. XboxAddict
    Jan 11, 2019
    75
    Subnautica is a fantastic exploring and survival game that I cannot wait to dive deeper into, but it is in desperate need of a patch that fixes the pop-in and framerate. I’ve completed a lot of what the game has to offer, but I know there is so much more of this ocean planet to explore. I learned of a fear I have that I didn’t know existed, and learning about that fear makes me respect guys like Jacques Cousteau and the guy in search of the blue diamond in Titanic so much more.
    Read full review
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