The presence of voice could be considered a double-edged sword, as having a character comment on her environment as she explores 4546B's seas alleviates the oppressive sense of isolation that was present in the original game. The voice acting in Below Zero is expressive and sharp, and Robin is a determined, well-written character who will likely win over gamers with her relatable wit and kind nature. But those who are concerned about Below Zero forgetting its seafaring roots need not worry, as Robin must hit the water on short order to reach her life pod and starting fabricator. This heat conceit enables a host of new technology designed to help Robin stay warm in freezing temperatures, ranging from cold suits to heat recharging coffee thermoses. Overland travel is a much larger part of the sequel, with harsh, arctic weather and plummeting body temperature serving as rate limiters on exploration, similar to how oxygen gates early exploration in the sea. The game's opening is very similar to the original Subnautica, with Robin crash landing on 4546B, though the first things players will notice is that they come to a halt on solid ground rather than the open ocean.

RELATED: Everything Announced at Nintendo Indie World Showcase on 8/18 The game kicks off with Robin sneaking onto planet 4546B to investigate the suspicious death of her older sister, Sam Ayou, a fellow xenobiologist working for Alterra. Players step into the swim fins of Robin Ayou, intrepid xenobiologist and employee of Xenoworx, a research initiative that was recently devoured by the avaricious and insidious Alterra megacorporation. While all of these areas have been changed or expanded, the narrative is the area where Below Zero makes the greatest strides over the original Subnautica, featuring a fully-voiced cast and a welcome break from the silent protagonist trope. The original Subnautica made a splash among critics and gamers for its unique setting, deep crafting tree, non-violent approach to survival, and clever use of non-linear, distributed storytelling. Independent developer and publisher Unknown Worlds is a big believer in open development, and Below Zero has spent most of its existence in Steam's early access, where the game is currently available for purchase. Subnautica: Below Zero is Unknown Worlds Entertainment's forthcoming underwater, sci-fi, survival game, which started life as an expansion to the original Subnautica before gradually evolving into a stand-alone sequel.

Subnautica early access latest