Subnautica 2 — Should You Play Subnautica 1 First?

Should You Play SN1 First?

Short answer: No. Subnautica 2 is a standalone story on a completely new planet with its own characters and biomes.

What Carries Over

• Alterra Corporation presence
• Kharaa bacterium lore connections
• Broader franchise timeline
• No gameplay mechanics carry over

Why You Should Play SN1 Anyway

• One of the best survival games ever made
• First-time discovery experience is unreplicable
• First Leviathan sighting hits differently when unprepared
• The sense of descent and unknown is the series’ signature

About Below Zero

• Standalone game on same planet as SN1
• Adds connecting lore but not essential
• If playing one game first, play Subnautica 1

Recommended Order

1. Subnautica 1 (best entry point)
2. Below Zero (optional)
3. Subnautica 2

About SN2 Early Access

• Chapter 1 at launch (~15-20 hrs)
• Growing significantly over time
• If you prefer complete games, play SN1 while waiting

The Bottom Line: Subnautica 2 is in Early Access, and that means the game you’re playing today isn’t the finished product. But here’s the thing — what’s already here is more content than some full-price games ship with. The roadmap looks promising, the foundation is solid, and if you loved the first game, you’ll feel right at home. Just don’t get too attached to your save file — updates might break things. That’s the Early Access tax.