Subnautica (Full Release) (2018) (PC) (Unknown Worlds Entertainment)
0The repetitive crafting chores, obscure endgame mechanics and procedural dullness of most survival-oriented sandbox games have put me off the genre despite several lengthy attempts to get into major titles such as Minecraft, Terraria, The Long Dark and The Forest. I purchased the Early Access version of Subnautica many months ago but outside of a brief VR test I've not bothered exploring the hidden depths of this sleeper hit from developer Unknown Worlds until now. The game's fashionably delayed official launch is finally here, so I figured this was as good as time as any to take the plunge...
While scavenging for resources, juggling crafting recipes and having to constantly keep track of the O2 supply have resulted in some tedious stretches of gameplay (not to mention protracted corpse runs), Subnautica manages to stand out by having a relatively clear and surprisingly plot-oriented progression system. At its best, the game feels less like a sprawling sandbox and more like a focused, Metroidvania-style quest for new equipment with which it becomes possible to descend ever further into the deep blue sea. The story is mostly told through audiologs but solid voice acting adds a bit of personality and - from what I've seen so far - there are at least a few more dramatic set piece moments to keep players intrigued and engaged.
What also helps Subnautica become a less sedate and directionless experience than its competitors is the thick, horror-tinged atmosphere which characterizes even casual swims through the shallow waters in the starting area. Through excellent sound design and clever use of its consistent first-person perspective, the game makes you feel like a small fish in a very big pond and happily indulges in a jump scare or two when the larger beasts come surging up from the sea floor for a quick man-sized snack. Even acquiring the mighty Cyclops submarine (as seen in this video) only adds to the tension and nail-biting claustrophobia (which reminds me of James Cameron's The Abyss and similar movies).
Unfortunately, despite its protracted development cycle Subnautica still doesn't quite feel like a finished product. In this so-called full release I've encountered several annoying bugs with disappearing vehicles and environments which fail to load properly. The load times and performance could also use some additional work, and I hope the developer will take care of these annoyances the coming weeks and months.