Subnautica: Below Zero

 Xbox Series X
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 46
  3. Negative: 4 out of 46
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Nerevarinho
    Sep 16, 2021
    5
    I loved Subnautica original, it blowed my mind. But Below Zero feels like an unoptimized standalone addon of the original Subnautica. Framerate drops (Played on Series S) around my base below 30 fps, even in fps mode. Quality mode had big input lag. The entire game does not feel creepy as in original Subnautica. The snow area was a chore, the land movement is still bugged, it still letsI loved Subnautica original, it blowed my mind. But Below Zero feels like an unoptimized standalone addon of the original Subnautica. Framerate drops (Played on Series S) around my base below 30 fps, even in fps mode. Quality mode had big input lag. The entire game does not feel creepy as in original Subnautica. The snow area was a chore, the land movement is still bugged, it still lets the player flickering around when touching some edges. Most stuff are recycled, and there are only a few new features. I am dissapointed.… Expand
  2. Slckaer
    Dec 16, 2021
    9
    Just like the first Subnautica I enjoyed a lot playing this game. Yess is a bit shorter but like the original it's mysterious! That's what makes the game very good in my opinion.

    Also 60fps option on the series X is nice to have :)
  3. Tuishnet
    Jul 7, 2021
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Сюжет отвратителен. Игра изменилась только графически. Баланс изменили но гемплей. Нет!!!… Expand
  4. Meeleepit
    May 18, 2021
    10
    Purchased Subnautica Below Zero Day 1 on the Xbox Series X and so far not disappointed.

    Basically same game as old Subnautica but with new area, vehicle, creatures and story. And as with the previous game the new area still leaves you scared **** when encountering big creatures or when venturing down deep. Finished after 30 hours of play and damm what a awesome epic insane journey this    Purchased Subnautica Below Zero Day 1 on the Xbox Series X and so far not disappointed.

    Basically same game as old Subnautica but with new area, vehicle, creatures and story.

    And as with the previous game the new area still leaves you scared **** when encountering big creatures or when venturing down deep.

    Finished after 30 hours of play and damm what a awesome epic insane journey this was. The team at Unknown Worlds Entertainment have hit a home run again ,well done!    … Expand
  5. EB0V
    May 19, 2021
    9
    This sequel learns every lesson from Subnautica, fixes the vast majority of issues, and adds a massive performance boost making for a phenomenal gameplay experience. It’s worth more than the retail price, highly recommend.
  6. Chutup
    Jan 19, 2022
    0
    This game crashes, alot. Not only does the game crash but the devs for some stupid reason did not put an auto save feature in the game nor put any warning that the game doesn't save on its own like every other modern game in existence. I cringe at the thought of how many people wasted countless hours of free time only to have the game crash and lose all of it and have to start fromThis game crashes, alot. Not only does the game crash but the devs for some stupid reason did not put an auto save feature in the game nor put any warning that the game doesn't save on its own like every other modern game in existence. I cringe at the thought of how many people wasted countless hours of free time only to have the game crash and lose all of it and have to start from scratch. Also the game lags alot as well. We're talking about chugging along at two frames a second only to drown and die in the game because you can't function under the constant frame dips. It would be a fun game if the developer decided to finish the game before selling it. This bullcrap should be illegal. Game developers are worse than car salesmen these days… Expand
  7. raffinetti
    Nov 1, 2021
    7
    Some great UI/quality of life improvements and interesting fauna/flora/vehicle additions, however the "level design", story progression and lowered difficulty made it a lot less fun than the first game.
  8. steve23244
    Aug 9, 2022
    9
    I thought this was not going to be anything, a low budget game, but it turned out to be one of my favorites. It's really well done and keeps you immersed! Compared to some AAA games I've played lately FC6 it was a breath of fresh air!
  9. FabricioNery
    Nov 7, 2021
    10
    Jogo ótimo, muito divertido, foi uma adição fantástica ter NPCs vivos para conversar e não somente verificar registros como no anterior. A inclusão da Junkbox foi legal, pois permite a escolha de músicas em certo ambientes.
  10. Torgall
    Jun 20, 2022
    6
    Summary: Expansion that is sold as a squel. The rewrites are very clear because there is a plot hole galore. Way easier, dumbed-down version of Subnautica that rather poorly focuses on plot rather than mystery and the eerie exploration.

    The map is surprisingly small, no wonder many people call it DLC instead of a sequel. I really don't like the overland exploration because it's annoying    Summary: Expansion that is sold as a squel. The rewrites are very clear because there is a plot hole galore. Way easier, dumbed-down version of Subnautica that rather poorly focuses on plot rather than mystery and the eerie exploration.

    The map is surprisingly small, no wonder many people call it DLC instead of a sequel. I really don't like the overland exploration because it's annoying and lacks the verticality of sea-based gameplay that is a keyfeature of Subnautica.

    I miss the vehicles from the original. Snowfox is useless, it handles like a cargo container not a hover bike, and there is almost no reason to use it. Prawn controls way better than in the previous game, but it's not really necessary because the game is easy and there is no need for mining. Seatruck is ok considering the small map size making the Cyclops overkill.

    I really like the few quality of life additions to base, and the new decorations and large room are nice.

    The story is all over the place. I liked the architect part but you can accidentally finish the game without even finding out about your sister, you know the reason you are there in the first place. You don't even get clear hints like in the previous game, that why you have no idea what to do regarding sister subplot, the main one is way easier with automatic beacons.    … Expand
  11. LokiIsKey
    Jun 6, 2021
    10
    A great addition to the wonders of the first game with a heavy focus on great story and less focus on a harsh survival game although I didn't play the game on hard mode maybe that would've provided that experience.
  12. Davodski
    Aug 3, 2021
    6
    Subnautica: below zero can't be viewed as a sequel, it's more like an expansion with a new story and the same building mechanics (with some new stuff to build and craft).

    The story really gets interesting in the beginning, but gets more stale and unfulfilling in the middle of the game. This is because the story is set to a halt, and you have to either search on google or explore a lot    Subnautica: below zero can't be viewed as a sequel, it's more like an expansion with a new story and the same building mechanics (with some new stuff to build and craft).

    The story really gets interesting in the beginning, but gets more stale and unfulfilling in the middle of the game. This is because the story is set to a halt, and you have to either search on google or explore a lot to find out how the story continues. The ending was a bit anti climactic but it had some fascinating elements to it.

    One of the biggest problems in this game, is the fact that the leviathans/enemies aren't really a challenge like they were in the original game. I did get jumpscared a lot, but that's just a cheesy way of trying to scare someone. The problem with the "enemies" is that it lacks dynamics. You have 0 tools to prevent getting caught by an enemy, unlike in the original game where you had for example: Decoy missiles in the cyclops. In the seatruck for example, you only get a perimiter defense but you rarely get to use it succesfully because the enemies get to you anyway, so there's no way of avoiding them. They don't deal a lot of damage so it's not a problem anyway, but that really showcases how different and repetitive the leviathans/enemies have become from the original game. Combine that with the small map and you don't have the huge sandbox you had in the original.

    One positive thing is the quality of life changes. This game has few bugs, especially compared to the original, which is good of course. The prawn suit has become so much better to controll and was a lot more fun to use thanks to that. Sound design in this game has also improved, but that's a bit down to preference. The graphics have improved by a LOT, so if you have a good computer, this game will defenitely look good.

    To summarise: this game is a minimal 6 (maybe 7) for me and leaves a lot to be desired (especially in the story and leviathan/enemy category). It has a decent progression but has a lot of wasted potential. The quality of life changes are good, but isn't the reason why you should buy a game. Again, this game shouldn't be seen as a sequel, but more like a 1.5 or an expansion of the original.    … Expand
  13. Andrei234
    Apr 18, 2022
    8
    this game is just like the original subnautica but better in every way except for the map. the underwater area is lackluster and the arctic area doesnt make up for it. the arctic is way too empty and if you dont have the right equipment youre going to have a very bad time. overall this game is great and the graphics are fenomenal.
  14. AmySorawo
    Sep 3, 2022
    9
    Whilst it has it problems just like the last game, it improves on the best elements and make a much better game, especially better than the last game on Xbox.

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2021
42
#42 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. MondoXbox
    Jul 25, 2021
    78
    Subnautica: Below Zero offers a more immediate, accessible and complete gaming experience compared to the first chapter of the saga, providing a more impactful and suitable title for those who do not like too dispersive survival games. To succeed in this, however, many aspects of the original title have been simplified, resulting in a less meaty and varied game. A different experience then, but worth the effort.
    Read full review
  2. ZTGD
    May 25, 2021
    80
    Subnautica: Below Zero is a great follow-up to one of the best in the genre. It dishes out the survival aspects in more digestible chunks than some of the more extreme cases. This makes it much more approachable for players like me who are intimidated by the restrictions of the genre. Do not let the nature of the game scare you away. This is a beautiful experience that I recommend if for nothing else, but to experience the ridiculously beautiful world Unknown Worlds has created.
    Read full review
  3. GameOver.gr
    May 21, 2021
    90
    Subnautica: Below Zero retains all the key gameplay elements that gave its predecessor its success, and furthermore adds various improvements -although its significantly smaller map area and its design deprive it of the feelings of loneliness, fear and awe as you enter a new biome.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »