Subnautica: A Sensational, Sea-faring Adventure


In short, Subnautica is a thrilling survival game. An awe-inspiring aquatic adventure that's both jaw-dropping from a visual perspective, and incredibly immersive on a grand scale. Mainly, thanks to its deep elements of exploration.

But also, its other-worldly, atmospheric qualities, advanced micro-management concepts, and an inspired underwater world teeming with life in technicolour.

Now, there's a stark reason why Subnautica, the oceanic, smash hit, is taking Steam by storm. On that note, those with a fierce thirst for adventure, or a fascination with underwater life, will get along famously with Subnautica. In truth, there's just something for everyone here.

After crash-landing on an alien world, the primary task is to survive. But that's easier said than done, however. Subnautica may look like an aquatic paradise on the surface, but deep down, there's a whole host of predatory hostiles just waiting for their next meaty morsel. On that rather unsavoury note, you'll need to use all your craft and cunning to make it out of the darkly ominous abyss alive.

That's where crafting comes into play. As well as the bare necessities of food and water, you'll need to create suitable swimming gear and deep-diving submersibles. But there's a catch. Meaning, all inventions require careful monitoring and are affected by spikes in oceanic depth and pressure. Of course, the further you dare to delve, the rarer the resources. Thus, allowing you to craft more advanced apparatus.

So, there's a smart risk and reward scheme on offer for those willing to go the extra mile. But for me, the other-worldly sights and sounds are reason enough to explore the dangerous depths. But be careful; there's every chance you'll be dicing with death.

Subnautica plays host to some of the most awe-inspiring environments I have ever laid eyes on in a video game. Each blossoming biome contains a rich diversity of life and is oozing with vibrant palettes of vivid colour. All of which stun the eyes and dish up a visceral treat for the senses. That is, despite the apparent dangers that lurk within. With that in mind, I advise caution at every turn.

These hostile habitats teeming with life, range from sun-soaked coral reefs to fiery lava fields, meandering cave systems, and the bizarrely beautiful, bioluminescent rivers. As you can see, there's such a diverse mix of areas to explore that you'll want to visit every underwater crack and crevice. To do so, though, you'll need to manage oxygen supplies along the way. So then, it appears there's more than one way to take your breath away!

Another critical facet of the game allows you to tinker and modify gear on the go. Here, there's a densely divergent pool to pick between, those of which can come in very handy, indeed. Things like mining drills will enable you to extract valuable minerals from the seafloor. All the while, propulsion devices, torpedoes, and grappling hooks keep the beasts at bay. But perhaps more importantly, they help with subterranean traversal.

In your bid to escape the hostile world, you can also build-bases on the seabed — most, if not all, of them acting as mini hubs. Here, you can house resources, store vehicles, and renew oxygen supplies. These play out as vital pitstops, should you wish to venture deep into uncharted waters. Within each base, you can customize away to your heart's content by choosing from an array of varying layouts and blueprints. It's a lot of fun carving away the hours, fine-tuning any gear while keeping a close eye on the structural integrity of each base.

But it's not all about survival. During your voyage, you'll unravel the mysteries of this alien and abstract world. Slowly but steadily, piecing together the puzzle surrounding your sudden arrival. Along the way, you'll discover strange underwater structures. But also, bear witness to the odd phenomenon infecting sea life. In truth, there's so much to soak in, that it's easy to get swept up in its swirling story. And of course, the games surreal setting. And that's all part of its magical allure.

Can you make it off the planet in one piece? Well, I strongly suggest you take the plunge and give it a go! If nothing else, it'll truly take your breath away in every meaning of the word.

All in all, Subnautica is an outstanding underwater odyssey. And one that is truly unmissable. Honestly, I had a great time with this game. Better still, it left a lasting impression on me. In my mind, it's easily one of the most immersive experiences I have ever had the luxury of playing. Furthermore, I'd recommend it to anyone with a proclivity, or an organic yearning for exploration.

If you haven't already, go out and play this one-of-a-kind adventure today. In what is a definitive must-buy.