A new Subnautica game is under development at San Francisco-based developer Unknown Worlds Entertainment for a planned release in the first half of 2025. The news comes from the recent Q3 2023 earnings report issued by KRAFTON, the company behind PUBG. As you might recall, KRAFTON acquired Unknown Worlds Entertainment in October 2021 for an undisclosed sum.
Now, the next Subnautica installment is listed as a ‘major pipeline title’ alongside PUBG Black Budget (an extraction shooter spin-off of Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds targeting a launch in the second half of 2024) and Project Gold Rush, an action/adventure sandbox game in development at Vector North for a targeted release in the first half of 2025. KRAFTON is also looking to launch the extraction RPG Dark and Darker Mobile in the first half of 2024 and Project inZOI, a life simulation game clearly inspired by The Sims, in the second half of next year.
Subnautica’s previous game launched in May 2021, earning a 7.5 score in Wccftech’s review penned by Chris Wray.
Subnautica: Below Zero is an engagingly atmospheric and beautiful game. While the treacherous depths found in the first aren’t as abundant here, and it certainly feels more restrictive, the new flora and fauna will challenge you and, sometimes, even make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. The creatures are wonderful, sometimes terrifyingly so. The environments are gorgeous, particularly outside of the water. Bases are still as fun to build in the first.
So is Subnautica: Below Zero worth buying? Yes, it is. The story-focused approach is still good, even if there can be an emotional disconnect between you and Robin. While the environment is somewhat more restrictive, and a fair portion moves away from the oceanic style that set Subnautica apart, it is beautiful. The base-building is still as engaging and fun as in the original, making you want to make that one last expansion. Whichever way you look at it, and regardless of any issues, this is a good game.
No sales figures were officially disclosed for Subnautica: Below Zero, but estimations based on Steam data range from 1.76 million to 2.46 million. Last year, Unknown Worlds also launched the turn-based tactical game Moonbreaker, featuring lore created by Brandon Sanderson. The game is still in early access.
