Fans of the original Subnautica were thrilled when the developer announced a sequel to the indie hit, to be called Below Zero. As a quick background, Subnautica is a survival game where the character’s ship crash lands on a planet called 4546B.
The planet is primarily made of water and the player must explore and learn about the environment while finding a way to escape. The sequel is very similar, albeit with some differences that might make or break someone’s choice to purchase it. Read on to decide whether Below Zero is right for you or not.
10 It’s A Less-Frightening Compared To The First Game
A big selling component of the original Subnautica was its ability to terrify players with the way that its giant leviathan monsters approached them. Players have reported that Below Zero just doesn’t have this same approach and that they quickly get used to the sounds of the monsters.
The original had around 30 Leviathans while Below Zero has only seven, meaning the variety of your creature encounters will be reduced greatly. You’ll hear the same roars over and over and easily connect the monsters with their sound. Thus, if you played the first and you’re looking forward to that same jumpscare sensory, you might be disappointed.
9 The Map Isn’t As Vast But The Composition Is Better
Below Zero has a way bigger land aspect to explore and farm than its predecessor did, making up a little less than a quarter of the whole game map. Most of it still takes place in the water, however, so don’t panic quite yet. This mostly gives you the option to build a base on land if you choose to do so.
On that note, the map is actually smaller than the original Subnautica’s was, but players have reported that it makes the whole space feel more well-utilized.
8 Playing In The Dark Isn’t A Headache Thanks To A Head Light
If mining for minerals in the deepest darkest parts of the sea was a struggle for you in the original game, you’re in luck. Thanks to the ability to make technology such as lit headbands in Below Zero, rock picking will be much more manageable.
Do note that certain fish down there will run away from a light source. In addition to that, monsters are now much easier to fend off than they previously were, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on whether you liked that challenge in the first game.
7 Your Stuff Can Be Stolen
A new creature in the game is the sea monkey. No, it’s not at all the microscopic kind you add water to and watch hatch. These are literal ape-like aquatic fauna who love to play and most of all, steal your stuff.
If not careful, they’ll snatch anything you have on hand and bring it back to their nests (if you don’t run after them fast enough, that is). Sea monkey nests contain a variety of items that the creatures have accumulated and are definitely worth sniffing around in.
6 You Can Feel Fancy In Your Base Now
A new aesthetic addition to the building options of the game is a glass roof. That may not seem like much, but it adds a brand new beautiful way to view the neat weather patterns on land and, of course, the fauna in the water base.
You’ll also have more choices for how to customize your base the way you want to, and even use dividers to make the small rooms as the first game had.
5 No More Dad Jokes
In the original game, the PDA voiceover made a lot of hilarious corny one-liners and a lot of that dialogue has been replaced with voice dialogue from the main character.
Thus if you were looking forward to hearing more PDA sarcasm, you may be disappointed, so keep that in mind before making a purchase. That might not seem like a big component, but for some players of the original game, it may take a certain charm away.
4 It Has Significantly Different Gameplay
If you have never played the original Subnautica and you are interested in Below Zero, it is highly recommended that you play the first one before delving into the arctic sequel. Since these games don’t have much story content, you won’t miss out on any important connections in the sequel.
The biggest thing to miss by skipping the first is the experience of exploring the huge open ocean and the Minecraft-like style that made the game so amazing. However, if you prefer something more story-based and regimented in telling players where to go and what to do, Below Zero might be a better fit for you.
3 Less Explore, More Story
Below Zero replaced some of the exploration aspects of the first game with something that is more story-based. It’s no Nier, but you’ll learn quite a bit about what happened to those who landed on the planet before you, what happened to an alien civilization, and more.
There’s not a huge blatant connection to the first game but there are a few easter egg nods here and there to it through the game.
2 There Are More Land Mechanics
Since the game does have a land component, it contains a bigger night and day cycle than before, meaning that the fauna appearing on land may change depending on the time of day.
There is also a brand new snowmobile-like vehicle you can use to quickly trek through the harsh terrain on the islands.
1 The Land Climate Can Change
Now that you’re spending more time on land, you’ll need to be aware of weather changes. Anything like thunder, fog, and rain can inhibit your ability to see and do things there, so plan accordingly.
Be prepared to be wowed as you watch the planet’s thunderstorms through the base’s glass ceiling.
NEXT: Subnautica: 10 Memes That Will Leave You Crying Of Laughter
