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Pardon the dust! This page includes some jargon that hasn't been added to the site's glossary yet. I'll be around to fix this later, but sorry for the inconvenience in the meantime. |
Review: Subnautica: Below Zero
At a Glance
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How to Save and Pause:Your progress is not recorded automatically. Instead, it's only saved when you select the "Save and Quit" option in the pause menu. This might be used to your advantage, depending on how badly things go. To pause the game, bring up the pause menu by pressing ESC. Time needed per session:You'll need a lot of time to explore, gather resources, and search for clues to the two mysteries presented by this game's story, so plan on playing for long periods of time.
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Does this game pose issues for Christian players?
 | No - this is a great game for Christians As with its predecessor, the player must hunt for food and avoid being eaten themselves. Also, this time the player must interact with intelligent alien life, which may be an issue for some Christians. |
Screenshots
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/subnautica_below_zero_0.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/subnautica_below_zero_1.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/subnautica_below_zero_2.jpg)
Game Overview
Our introduction to planet 4546B was a harrowing tale of survival in a hostile world. Most of the Aurora's crew compliment perished during its fateful crash, and only one person was able to live long enough to be rescued. Subnautica: Below Zero tells a very different story, as its protagonist arrived on 4546B with a goal in mind. This is also reflected by the gameplay, which has been somewhat simplified so that the player can focus on the story instead of worrying about survival.
Now, as anyone who's play the first Subnautica game can tell you, Alterra Corp. is incredibly shady. They'll do whatever they can to improve the bottom line, even if it means doctoring reports or obscuring the truth. So, when Alterra claimed that Sam Ayou died due to her own negligence, her sister Robin felt something was off. Knowing that her sister was diligent to a fault, she suspected that some sort of coverup was going on, and began a mission to find out what was really happening on 4546B.
The game begins the moment Robin lands on the planet. As this story takes place in one of 4546B's polar regions, it's mighty cold outside, and you'll need to quickly locate some shelter. This is fairly easy to do, as she came prepared with a specialized drop pod for just this purpose. Her fancy swimsuit also helps, as it generates heat whenever Robin is underwater. Once her emergency shelter is set up, things generally work like they did in the first game: You'll need to hunt for food, find reliable supplies of water and material resources, and scavenge new technology by scanning local lifeforms or abandoned Alterra bases.
That said, there are some changes that weren't so well received by players. One of the main changes is that it's not an open world survival game anymore. It would be more appropriate to call Below Zero an adventure game with crafting elements. This change in genre is reflected by the simplified crafting system, a smaller world map, and the new beacon system that tells the player where they need to go next. Basically, when a story-related goal becomes available, the game will automatically add a beacon on your HUD for you to follow. While this is very useful, it also made a lot of players feel like the game was holding their hand, marching them from point A to point B, rather than letting them explore and enjoy the scenery.
There is also another issue that new players should be warned about. Since the world is much smaller than before, the environments tend to be cramped and difficult to navigate, especially with a vehicle. This is a big problem with the leviathan-class predators - in the previous game, you could easily avoid encountering these giant sea monsters by steering clear of their territories or by giving them a very wide birth when they were near something important. This time, you're not going to be so lucky. In certain places, there's literally no room to avoid a hungry leviathan, and there is at least one place near the end of the game where you should expect to sacrifice a vehicle in order to progress.
I suspect the developers were aware of this issue, as there's a late-game item that allows you (but not your vehicle) to teleport to safety.
Ultimately, what you'll get out of Subnautica Below Zero seems to hang on whether or not you're willing to be open minded about the genre change. If you're willing to adjust to the new, story-driven style of gameplay, then you're probably going to enjoy this second adventure on 4546B. But, if you're looking for another game where you can learn to survive on your own terms, then you'll be disappointed.
Now, as anyone who's play the first Subnautica game can tell you, Alterra Corp. is incredibly shady. They'll do whatever they can to improve the bottom line, even if it means doctoring reports or obscuring the truth. So, when Alterra claimed that Sam Ayou died due to her own negligence, her sister Robin felt something was off. Knowing that her sister was diligent to a fault, she suspected that some sort of coverup was going on, and began a mission to find out what was really happening on 4546B.
The game begins the moment Robin lands on the planet. As this story takes place in one of 4546B's polar regions, it's mighty cold outside, and you'll need to quickly locate some shelter. This is fairly easy to do, as she came prepared with a specialized drop pod for just this purpose. Her fancy swimsuit also helps, as it generates heat whenever Robin is underwater. Once her emergency shelter is set up, things generally work like they did in the first game: You'll need to hunt for food, find reliable supplies of water and material resources, and scavenge new technology by scanning local lifeforms or abandoned Alterra bases.
That said, there are some changes that weren't so well received by players. One of the main changes is that it's not an open world survival game anymore. It would be more appropriate to call Below Zero an adventure game with crafting elements. This change in genre is reflected by the simplified crafting system, a smaller world map, and the new beacon system that tells the player where they need to go next. Basically, when a story-related goal becomes available, the game will automatically add a beacon on your HUD for you to follow. While this is very useful, it also made a lot of players feel like the game was holding their hand, marching them from point A to point B, rather than letting them explore and enjoy the scenery.
There is also another issue that new players should be warned about. Since the world is much smaller than before, the environments tend to be cramped and difficult to navigate, especially with a vehicle. This is a big problem with the leviathan-class predators - in the previous game, you could easily avoid encountering these giant sea monsters by steering clear of their territories or by giving them a very wide birth when they were near something important. This time, you're not going to be so lucky. In certain places, there's literally no room to avoid a hungry leviathan, and there is at least one place near the end of the game where you should expect to sacrifice a vehicle in order to progress.
I suspect the developers were aware of this issue, as there's a late-game item that allows you (but not your vehicle) to teleport to safety.
Ultimately, what you'll get out of Subnautica Below Zero seems to hang on whether or not you're willing to be open minded about the genre change. If you're willing to adjust to the new, story-driven style of gameplay, then you're probably going to enjoy this second adventure on 4546B. But, if you're looking for another game where you can learn to survive on your own terms, then you'll be disappointed.
Points of Interest
Quality of life improvements
If you play through Subnautica before you begin the sequel, you're going to notice several things have been tweaked (aside from the stuff mentioned above). Put simply, Below Zero runs like butter compared to the first game. Whether it's the smoother animations or the responsiveness of the controls, the game's engine has definitely been given a serious tune up.
Another useful change is that you're not going to be spending much time looking for materials, as most of the new technology is gathered together in special areas. There's also a modified version of your scanner that allows you to detect specific resources nearby, sort of like a portable version of the scanner room from the previous game.
Another useful change is that you're not going to be spending much time looking for materials, as most of the new technology is gathered together in special areas. There's also a modified version of your scanner that allows you to detect specific resources nearby, sort of like a portable version of the scanner room from the previous game.
New places, biomes, and creatures
Many people grew fond of the marine ecosystems from the first game - the peepers, stalkers, and Reaper leviathans are especially popular. But, those were all tropical species, so the new setting comes with a lot of new creatures to meet and interact with. Some of the new species are regional variations of what you've seen before, like the new arctic peepers. Others, like the curious Sea Monkeys, are entirely new to this area.
Multiple game modes
Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to challenges, and you're able to customize your experience by selecting one of the four game modes at the start of a new game. The Survival mode (aka normal mode) requires you to ensure that Robin's bodily needs are being met. Like the rest of us, she'll need food to eat, water to drink, and oxygen to breathe. Freedom mode lets you play without worrying about food or water, and Creative mode lets you play without restrictions.
There's also Hardcore mode, which is like Survival mode with one major tweak: if Robin ever dies, the game is over and your save game is erased.
There's also Hardcore mode, which is like Survival mode with one major tweak: if Robin ever dies, the game is over and your save game is erased.
Steam community features
There's a set of Steam trading cards up for grabs if you're interested in that, and there are thirteen achievements to earn as you investigate the depths. Disappointingly, the majority of the achievements are for reaching specific milestones in the story's progression. There few that aren't involve building or crafting optional things, but depending on how you play, these might not be optional either.
Story holds your hand
As mentioned above, the player is guided through the story rather directly, and this hasn't gone over well with players. On the other hand, many of the beacons are located in areas that you won't be able to reach immediately, prompting you to search for new technology or recipes that will allow you to go farther or deeper. Some of the beacons are particularly difficult to reach, even with the best tech, as they are nestled within underwater mazes.
Whether or not this is a problem boils down to how much control you want to have; the more you want to be in control of your experience, the more it'll feel like the game's storyline is getting in your way.
Whether or not this is a problem boils down to how much control you want to have; the more you want to be in control of your experience, the more it'll feel like the game's storyline is getting in your way.
It's not scary anymore
Of course, I would argue that Below Zero isn't trying to be a scary game, but this was a major selling point of the first game for a lot of people. You were alone, trapped on a hostile world, infected by a lethal disease, and probably going to be eaten by a giant sea monster before help could arrive. In this second game, the disease is gone, the sea monsters are more annoying than scary, and you're not even alone.
Concerns and Issues
Mild violence and blood
The various creatures living on 4546B do possess something akin to blood. It's yellow and will appear as a murky cloud whenever something is injured or killed. Odds are, you're going to be eating the animal you just stabbed, so being concerned about this seems like something of a moot point. Later in the game, you'll be able to switch to a completely vegan diet if this concerns you.
Of course, the local predators will have no qualms about trying to eat you. Getting munched makes a crack appear in your visor for a moment, and if your health ever drops to zero, the game simply fades to black.
Of course, the local predators will have no qualms about trying to eat you. Getting munched makes a crack appear in your visor for a moment, and if your health ever drops to zero, the game simply fades to black.
Leviathans are disgustingly juicy
Previously, the leviathan-class creatures all had defined jaws that would snap at you to bite you. Getting attacked by a Reaper leviathan was like getting attacked by a shark - lots of teeth gnashing at you. In this game however, the bigger predators have been modeled on squids or flatworms, so it's all tentacles and suction this time. Instead of biting, they'll try to pull you (or your stuff) into a big squishy, dripping gullet.
Mild language
Living in a society where money and social rank is more important than human life tends to make people cranky. This is especially true for one of the people Robin will encounter during her journey, as they've picked up a habit of sprinkling words like "damn" and "hell" into nearly every conversation.
Alterra is still evil
It's pretty obvious to everyone that they lied about Sam Ayou's cause of death, but the actual truth behind it is potentially worse than the idea that they're protecting their interests. Remember the Kharaa bacterium from the first game? Well, Alterra found some frozen in the ice, and they decided it would be a good idea to try and find a way to turn it into something profitable. Sam (rightly) disagreed, and her attempt to blow the whistle on this unethical project ended up with her getting murdered to protect Alterra's bottom line.
Aliens
Dealing with the Kharaa bacterium in the original game required the player to explore alien ruins. The creators of those ruins, an alien race known as the Architects, play a huge role in Below Zero. In fact, they are so central to the main plot that I was surprised to learn that everything about them is considered to be a spoiler. This is like saying that you could watch Star Trek, but not publicly talk about Spock. Baffling.
Anyway, since aliens can be a touchy subject for some people, I feel that it's important to discuss the Architects here. In a nutshell, the last Architect on 4546B ends up "downloading" its mind into Robin's brain, and the two of them spend most of the game trying to create a new body for the alien to inhabit. Meanwhile, the alien and Robin talk about various things, usually with the alien making passive-aggressive remarks about the human body, our technology, and our species in general.
During these conversations, it's revealed that this may be the last surviving Architect, and he's pretty upset about it. Being a very logical entity, he cannot picture a bright future for himself, as he cannot find any evidence to justify that belief. Importantly, Robin teaches the alien about a new (to him) concept using her words and actions. This new concept, hope, is about trusting in positive outcomes when there's no evidence to support it. Sound familiar?
Thanks to Robin, the alien is given a new outlook and together the pair leave 4546B to explore the Architect's ancestral home world in search of a brighter tomorrow.
Anyway, since aliens can be a touchy subject for some people, I feel that it's important to discuss the Architects here. In a nutshell, the last Architect on 4546B ends up "downloading" its mind into Robin's brain, and the two of them spend most of the game trying to create a new body for the alien to inhabit. Meanwhile, the alien and Robin talk about various things, usually with the alien making passive-aggressive remarks about the human body, our technology, and our species in general.
During these conversations, it's revealed that this may be the last surviving Architect, and he's pretty upset about it. Being a very logical entity, he cannot picture a bright future for himself, as he cannot find any evidence to justify that belief. Importantly, Robin teaches the alien about a new (to him) concept using her words and actions. This new concept, hope, is about trusting in positive outcomes when there's no evidence to support it. Sound familiar?
Thanks to Robin, the alien is given a new outlook and together the pair leave 4546B to explore the Architect's ancestral home world in search of a brighter tomorrow.
A character has been brought back from the dead - somewhat
In the first game, the player would sometimes stumble across ruined bases. The three people who made them where on 4546B to study the planet and its creatures. All three were presumed dead after a Reaper leviathan attacked their last base. In this game, we'll discover that the group's bodyguard had not only survived the ordeal, but was living a solitary life on their own rough and tumble terms.
A lot of people have had issues with her surviving, both because she her actions led to the fateful attack, and because they assumed all three were long dead. The latter maintains that her survival was an unnecessary retcon, and a bad idea.
A lot of people have had issues with her surviving, both because she her actions led to the fateful attack, and because they assumed all three were long dead. The latter maintains that her survival was an unnecessary retcon, and a bad idea.