Subnautica 2 has emerged as one of the most discussed games of the year, though not for the reasons its creators might have hoped. A significant legal dispute has unfolded following the abrupt dismissal of the entire leadership team at Unknown Worlds Entertainment, the studio behind the game, by its publisher, Krafton. The former leaders, including co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, have since initiated a lawsuit alleging that Krafton intends to delay the launch of Subnautica 2 beyond 2025 in order to sidestep a substantial financial payout.
Krafton has countered these claims, asserting that Subnautica 2 is not prepared for an early access release. The company accused Cleveland and McGuire of “abandoning their roles as studio-wide game director and technical director to focus on their personal projects.”
Patch Updates and Gameplay Enhancements
In the midst of this turmoil, the 2025 patch for Subnautica has introduced noteworthy enhancements. Players can now enjoy proper controller support for a variety of gamepads from recent console generations, alongside revamped input options for those who prefer not to use a keyboard. The patch also addresses some gameplay quirks, such as preventing the PRAWN suit from falling through the map when navigating the game’s alien arch portals. Additionally, it resolves an amusing issue where Leviathans exhibited a tendency to soar above the ocean surface while interacting with the Seamoth or PRAWN suit—an occurrence that many players might have considered more of a feature than a bug.
Meanwhile, Below Zero’s 2025 patch primarily targets the Snowfox, a sci-fi skidoo designed for traversing the icy landscapes of the game. Historically, the Snowfox has posed control challenges for players, and this update aims to rectify that. Key changes include:
- Modification of the Snowfox’s collider to minimize the likelihood of getting stuck on obstacles.
- A significant reduction in damage from terrain impacts, decreasing from 100% to 12%.
- A decrease in the chance of being knocked off the Snowfox during an ice worm attack, from 100% to 25%.
- Prevention of the vehicle from “occasionally falling inside the terrain and disappearing forever when deploying it,” a glitch that some players may have found oddly comforting.
Both patches also introduce a “pop-up newsfeed” feature, designed for one-time announcements, which will keep the existing Subnautica community informed about the sequel’s ongoing development. In a timely move, both games are currently available at a substantial discount, with prices slashed by 75%, bringing them down from (£26) to a mere .50 (£6.50).
As a dedicated player of both Subnautica titles, I can attest to their value at this price point. While Subnautica offers a more expansive experience with larger biomes and a more cohesive adventure, Below Zero showcases stunning environments and creatures, complemented by an exceptional soundtrack from Ben Prunty. Looking ahead, Subnautica 2 is now slated for an early access release sometime in 2026, although Krafton has yet to provide a more precise timeline.
