Subnautica: Below Zero received its full release on May 14, 2021, following a successful stay in early access. The game has been warmly received by fans and critics, exemplified by its 84 Metacritic on Xbox Series X. Although Below Zero is receiving predominantly positive reviews, there is a growing number of people believing that the game falls short of its predecessor's quality.

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Subnautica: Below Zero keeps its core gameplay very similar to its predecessor, though it does introduce a few significant changes, in particular the new arctic biomes. For anyone who is still on the fence as to whether or not to take the plunge and buy the game, here are things that we loved about Below Zero and things that we didn't.

10 Loved: Arctic Biomes

Arctic Spires biome from Subnautica: Below Zero

As mentioned before, artic biomes are the most significant new feature in Subnautica: Below Zero. The original Subnautica did have a couple of above-water islands, though they only featured in a minuscule amount of the game's overall runtime. Below Zero's arctic biomes, however, make up a significant portion of the game's runtime, and feature heavily in the main story.

The biomes aren't as detailed as Below Zero's underwater sections, though they provide a nice change of pace and give the game an extra dimension.

9 Didn't Love: Smaller World Than The Original

Unofficial map of Subnautica: Below Zero

Despite the addition of arctic biomes, Below Zero's game world feels noticeably smaller than the original's. A small open world isn't inherently a bad thing, though most players will have a moment of disappointment when they realize they've reached every corner of the map. Like in the original, the map can't just be judged by its horizontal length, as players will be delving into the ocean's depths later in the game. Still, it's always a shame when a game feels smaller than its predecessor.

8 Loved: Meticulously Designed Ocean

Subnautica Below Zero - player holding scanner

Subnautica: Below Zero may have a smaller world than its predecessor, though it feels more meticulously designed and hand-crafted than the previous game, which many players initially thought was either procedurally or randomly generated.

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Most players won't make the same mistake with Below Zero, as every key area has clearly been well-thought-out in terms of placement, with resources, Oxygen Plants, and predators all being put in areas that intend to give players the most enjoyable experience.

7 Didn't Love: Less Atmospheric Than The Original

subnautica below zero - shadow leviathan approaching protagonist

One of the factors that made Subnautica feel so unique was its unsettling atmosphere that ensured players never felt too safe in 4546B. This was especially apparent when venturing to new lengths and descending to new depths, as players would suddenly feel as though they were playing a horror game when the screen would darken and a second roar from a predator would be heard, sounding closer than the first.

Below Zero does elicit some of the same tense feelings from players, though it feels less intimidating overall. The removal of Reaper and Ghost Leviathans harmed the game's intimidation factor in particular, and most players will likely miss them like an annoying friend they never thought they'd hope to see again.

6 Loved: Great Sense Of Freedom

subnautica below zero - underwater with fish

Although the intimidating atmosphere has predominantly left, the incredible sense of freedom that the original Subnautica provided remains in the latest game.

Following their crash landing, players are given a clear goal of swimming to their Drop Pod. However, once they reach the pod, players are completely free to explore the latest iteration of 4546B in any direction and any way that they chose. This level of freedom is what makes the open-world genre so special, though Below Zero nails it in a way that few other games do.

5 Didn't Love: Un-Creative Creatures

Squid Shark in deep ocean

The aforementioned Reaper and Ghost leviathans, although terrifying, were some of the best features in the original Subnautica. The creative designs were equal parts impressive and horrifying and really drove home the idea that players were clueless explorers, stranded on a planet that they knew very little about.

Unfortunately, some of the new designs in Below Zero fail to stack up. Along with the Chelicerate, which essentially looks like an over-grown, annoyed shrimp, there's also the Squidshark. The Squidshark looks exactly like its name implies and gives the impression that the designers thought of two scary underwater creatures, mashed them together, and called it a day.

4 Loved: Texture Pop-In Issues Fixed

subnautica below zero creepvine samples

The biggest issue in the original Subnautica was the constant texture pop-ins, which some players said made the game unplayable for them. Regardless of their PC or console strengths, players would have to accept a poor visual performance to enjoy the game, which was especially disappointing given that the game had a lengthy stay in early access.

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Thankfully, Below Zero almost entirely eradicates this issue, with only minimal pop-in being apparent, such as when the player swims directly up. Moreover, the original game has recently had its issues fixed too, thanks to the next-gen upgrade that was released on the same day as Below Zero. 

3 Didn't Love: Lack Of Memorable Moments

subnautica player keyart

The original Subnautica had some of the most memorable moments in the survival genre's history, from the initial feeling of being stranded to exploring the Aurora for the first time, to seeing the Sunbeam be shot down, and much, much more.

Sadly, Below Zero struggles to reach such heights throughout the main story's runtime. The game provides a solid experience throughout, though there aren't many memorable moments that will give the player a sense of shock or amazement, particularly due to trailers giving away key moments and creature designs.

2 Loved: Continuous Feeling Of Progress And Reward

Subnautica Below Zero Hover

One inherent issue with both the survival and open-world genres is that a sense of progression can be hard to find unless the game puts players on a set path. Below Zero never forces players to follow a set path, yet it constantly gives players the feeling that they're making progress.

This is predominantly accomplished through the game's item crafting. As players explore biomes, scan fragments, and gather new resources, they will be able to craft exciting new items that will let them venture to previously inaccessible areas, giving a great sense of adventure.

1 Didn't Love: Lackluster Story

Architect artifact from Subnautica: Below Zero

Generally speaking, the survival genre isn't known for its storytelling, predominantly because many games don't try to tell one, opting instead to let players create their own narrative.

Subnautica: Below Zero, however, does tell a clear, concise story, fit with a vast range of voice-acted characters and two clear goals from early on in the game. The story isn't exactly bad, though it ultimately feels rather forgettable. Moreover, the game's ending, which we won't spoil, sees the narrative finally pick up the pace before abruptly ending and ultimately feel like an advert for a third game in the series.

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