92
It isn’t without performance hiccups, especially the deeper you go. But the breadth of content here and the open-world nature both in terms of playspace and just pure choice in how you go about it is something rarely seen in games.
95
Subnautica is hands down the best survival game I have ever experienced. I completely lost track of time while playing it and for the first time in ages I rescheduled my appointments and neglected my responsibilities to spend more time with a game. If I could I would hand out free copies in the streets so as many people as possible can see how ridiculously good Subnautica is. [04/2018, p.62]
90
A great game that took five years to make. Subnautica is an open sandbox sci-fi fantasy that can inch it's way into horror as you explore the depths of the ocean world. Just be ready to farm!
10
This game perfectly builds an oceanic atmosphere in an unknown world—specifically, the planet 4546B. It excels at implementing a system for gathering materials and exploring the globe to locate necessary resources. The exploration—and the fear evoked by the depths of this alien world—is executed phenomenally; the game’s setting, atmosphere, soundtrack, and incredible sound design create a deeply unsettling, thalassophobia-inducing experience. It stands out as one of the best survival-horror experiences I have ever encountered. The marine life—ranging from passive creatures to aggressive ones, especially the Leviathans—adds a unique touch to this game. The story is equally impressive: you and your crew embark on an expedition aboard the massive ship *Aurora* to planet 4546B, but the mission goes disastrously wrong. An alien weapon utilizing technology millions of years ahead of its time destroys anything entering or leaving the planet's orbit—a measure enforced because the planet is under quarantine due to a deadly, ancient disease for which the alien civilization never found a cure. After the *Aurora* explodes, the crew scrambles into escape pods, but you emerge as the sole survivor of the cataclysmic event. You must gather resources and explore every corner of the map to figure out how to escape and find a cure for the deadly disease—only to discover, as time passes, that you are infected yourself. You must discover for yourself what happened to the ancient alien civilization that once inhabited this planet before its extinction due to the deadly disease known as "Kharaa," and you must also escape the planet; you will learn all of this through pre-recorded messages and transmissions from other ships that provide context and aid for surviving on this unknown world.
9
Finally, a game that successfully make the underwater world as both beauty and horror place. this game offered a phenomenal underwater survival experience, especially with some of the surprise elements (not gonna spoiler). definitely recommended
8
I am not a great fan of survival games, but this one is so special, the world that you have to explore is so beautiful, well done, interesting
Subnautica
Released On:
Jan 23, 2018
Metascore
Generally Favorable
87
User score
Generally Favorable
8.5
My Score
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All Platforms
Based on 42 Critic Reviews
87
Based on 9 Critic Reviews
81
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
80
Based on 3 Critic Reviews
tbd
iOS (iPhone/iPad)
tbd
Based on 1 Critic Review
tbd
tbd
Metascore
Generally Favorable
87
100% Positive
39 Reviews
39 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
May 16, 2018
95
Subnautica is hands down the best survival game I have ever experienced. I completely lost track of time while playing it and for the first time in ages I rescheduled my appointments and neglected my responsibilities to spend more time with a game. If I could I would hand out free copies in the streets so as many people as possible can see how ridiculously good Subnautica is. [04/2018, p.62]
May 10, 2018
90
A great game that took five years to make. Subnautica is an open sandbox sci-fi fantasy that can inch it's way into horror as you explore the depths of the ocean world. Just be ready to farm!
User score
Generally Favorable
8.5
85% Positive
2068 Ratings
2068 Ratings
11% Mixed
264 Ratings
264 Ratings
5% Negative
114 Ratings
114 Ratings
Jun 16, 2026
10
This game perfectly builds an oceanic atmosphere in an unknown world—specifically, the planet 4546B. It excels at implementing a system for gathering materials and exploring the globe to locate necessary resources. The exploration—and the fear evoked by the depths of this alien world—is executed phenomenally; the game’s setting, atmosphere, soundtrack, and incredible sound design create a deeply unsettling, thalassophobia-inducing experience. It stands out as one of the best survival-horror experiences I have ever encountered. The marine life—ranging from passive creatures to aggressive ones, especially the Leviathans—adds a unique touch to this game. The story is equally impressive: you and your crew embark on an expedition aboard the massive ship *Aurora* to planet 4546B, but the mission goes disastrously wrong. An alien weapon utilizing technology millions of years ahead of its time destroys anything entering or leaving the planet's orbit—a measure enforced because the planet is under quarantine due to a deadly, ancient disease for which the alien civilization never found a cure. After the *Aurora* explodes, the crew scrambles into escape pods, but you emerge as the sole survivor of the cataclysmic event. You must gather resources and explore every corner of the map to figure out how to escape and find a cure for the deadly disease—only to discover, as time passes, that you are infected yourself. You must discover for yourself what happened to the ancient alien civilization that once inhabited this planet before its extinction due to the deadly disease known as "Kharaa," and you must also escape the planet; you will learn all of this through pre-recorded messages and transmissions from other ships that provide context and aid for surviving on this unknown world.
Feb 6, 2018
90
Subnautica is a great survival game that is totally unique. Despite some small issues it captivates and ensures that the player has a need to explore its ocean.
Jan 24, 2018
90
Subnautica is an exceptional game of exploration, crash-landing the player on an unknown planet with unfamiliar terrain, unexplored depths, and strange wildlife. While some smaller creatures will appear more afraid of you, it's the larger predators that will make your oxygen levels quickly drop with the increased heart rate. It's a game that captivates you as soon as you step out of the lifeboat with the gorgeous water effects and stunning environment.
Feb 2, 2018
87
Subnautica manages to valorize all those elements that in the survival titles that struggle to detach themselves from the sphere of "useful."
Feb 5, 2018
84
Subnautica links progression to dive depth and it pays dividends. It also provides useful tools and varied submersibles that facilitate the steady exploration of wondrous biomes far below the waves.
Jan 29, 2018
75
Subnautica is a very, very, very good game for fans of the survival genre. There is a near endless deluge of things to do and see and a vast, dangerous ocean to explore. It’s not uncommon to alternate between sheer dread and speechless wonder as you make your through this underwater wonderland. However, lackluster VR support and an overall density problem in terms of complexity and lack of direction at times hold Subnautica back from true greatness.
Jun 3, 2026
10
Too much water Nearly every objective requires swimming through water. Resources are underwater. Creatures are underwater. The map is underwater. Even the fish are underwater. Players hoping to enjoy a nice walk will be disappointed to discover that approximately 99% of the game takes place in an ocean.
The developers clearly became obsessed with water and refused to show restraint. At times, I found myself asking, "Could there perhaps be less water?" The game responded by adding a deeper ocean biome.
Despite this glaring issue, Subnautica delivers one of the most immersive survival experiences ever made. The atmosphere is unmatched, exploration is constantly rewarding, and the sense of discovery remains magical from start to finish.
Verdict: An unforgettable masterpiece unfortunately ruined by the excessive presence of water. Thankfully, the other 99.9% of the game is perfect.
10/10.
Apr 21, 2026
7
ja estou com +- 40 hrs e desisti de ir ate o final, embora a historia seja muito boa e o visual do jogo excepcional, e necessario muitas horas de farm para conseguir progredir na historia e sinceramente desanimei, mas essa 40hrs de gameplay foram muito validas e me diverti bastante, se tiver em uma promocao na steam vale muito a pena
Oct 5, 2025
7
Excellent when it works. Building a base is fun, exploration with the Seamoth or Cyclops is tense and exciting, and you always feel like you're at the bottom of the food chain, checking your back to make sure you're not in danger. Though the visuals aren't always spectacular, they get the job done, and the voice acting is unexpectedly phenomenal. Conversely, the endless grind of food, water, and materials is tedious, there's many technical bugs (RIP my first seamoth, clipped into the ground), and late-game is a total chore. Still worth it, though you'll have to shrug off some BS from time to time.
May 12, 2026
4
some cool stuff to do, crippled by an awful inventory and resource management system. the only way i found to enjoy this game is to just cheat and bring the big submarine to objectives to find story beats and new biomes, which is still derpy and unrewarding. the late game biomes are not even interesting enough to warrant the difficulty or grind required, and i don't want to make 20 different outposts just to proceed when half of them dont find a single useful thing on the radar. building system is also extremely limited and underdeveloped, overall the game is terribly glazed and is much more fun in a lets play than to play yourself.
Aug 2, 2025
4
Pretty dumb. Drowning within 10 **** the ocean..with a sci fi pod that can magically create entire med kits **** remove the salt from the water. Right.
SummaryDescend into the depths of an alien underwater world filled with resources, creatures, wonder and threats. Craft equipment and submarines to explore lush coral reefs, volcanoes, cave systems, and more - All while attempting to survive.
Rated E +10for Everyone +10
