Subnautica: Below Zero received its full release on May 14, 2021, and had the tall task of improving upon its critically acclaimed predecessor. The game has been well received, exemplified by its PC Metascore of 82, though this is a drop from the original's score of 87.
Criticisms of the game have centered around the story and lack of memorable moments compared to the original. However, the game is receiving a ton of praise for two aspects in particular, its fantastic visuals and excellent technical performance. Subnautica: Below Zero fixes the texture issues from the previous game and offers some incredible-looking locations throughout the adventure.
10 Delta Island
Out of content, Delta Island may not look like anything special. However, the island deserves a spot on this list, as the area's beauty comes from how thankful most players are when they first see it.
For many first-time players, the trip to Delta Island will be the first significant journey that they embark on away from the safeness of the Shallow Twisty Bridges. Players will be in for a shock as they approach the island, as numerous Cryptosuchus' populate the area, which can be extremely intimidating for new players thanks to their loud roar. Consequently, when players finally reach Delta Island, it will look like a wonderful, safe haven.
9 Fabricator Caverns
From one of the first areas in the game to one of the last. The Fabricator Cavens is the last biome that many players will explore, and the area doesn't disappoint. The area is accessed from the Crystal Caverns, and its deep red colors provide a striking contrast from the Crystal Caverns' sharp blues and purples.
Unfortunately, players won't have much time to look around and admire the Fabricator Caverns, as the area is populated by the most frightening creatures in the entire game, the Shadow Leviathans.
8 Fabricator Base
Thankfully, players will be rewarded for traversing the Fabricator Caverns and avoiding the aforementioned Shadow Leviathans, as the Fabricator Base lies within. The Architect base is where the player can construct AL-AN's vessel, the main goal of the game.
The base already looks fantastic when first entered but gets even better once AL-AN's vessel has been built; this is because multiple lights will be activated, illuminating the room.
7 Mercury II Crash Site
Not all of the breathtaking locations in Subnautica: Below Zero are traditionally beautiful, exemplified by the Mercury II crash site.
In the original Subnautica, exploring a crashed ship is a key objective of the game, which is made clear to the player by it being the only notable thing visible to them at the game's beginning. The Mercury II, however, is submerged beneath the ocean and comes as a huge surprise to players when they first come across one of its two parts. The broken ship is in terrible condition, though its enormous size is jarring, and the striking appearance of its parts among the spacious ocean depths makes it an incredible sight.
6 Shallow Twisty Bridges
The sight of the Shallow Twisty Bridges will bring a sigh of relief for any Subnautica: Below Zero player, as it's one of the safest areas in the game.
The Shallow Twisty Bridges is the game's starting area, as it is where the player's drop pod lands and consequently where they'll predominantly spend the game's opening hours. As one would expect from a starting area, the Shallow Twisty Bridges doesn't feature any dangerous predators and has plenty of resources for players to start crafting some of the game's key items.
5 Deep Lilypads Cave
As the name suggests, the Deep Lilypads Cave is located beneath the Lilypad Islands. The area is fairly dangerous due to the presence of a Squidshark, which isn't afraid to attack players who get too close to it.
Despite being located deep below the ocean's surface, the area is beautifully lit, thanks to its extraordinary plant life that illuminate the area. The Deep Lilypads Cave is home to numerous valuable resources such as Rubys and Uraninite Crystals, along with the Deep Lilypads Cave Cache.
4 Deep Purple Vents
The Deep Purple Vents are on this list for a very similar reason to the Deep Lilypads Cave. As the name suggests, the biome is located a significant distance below the surface, though it cuts through the ocean's deep blue darkness with its natural purple vibrance from its signature purple vents.
Thankfully, players can have a more leisurely look around the Deep Purple Vents compared to some of the other biomes on this list, as the area doesn't tend to attract many predators despite its deep depth.
3 Glacial Bay
The arctic biomes are one of the most significant new features introduced in Subnautica: Below Zero, and the Glacial Bay is the most well-designed area on offer. The biome isn't among the largest in the game, but it is one of the most densely packed, with the aptly named Glacial Bay Bridge being its most significant point of interest.
Once the Glacial Bay Bridge has been repaired, players can travel to the Arctic Spires, one of the largest biomes in the game, and home to the deadly Ice Worm Leviathan.
2 Crystal Caves
As mentioned before, the Crystal Caverns lead to the Fabricator Caves, one of the game's final areas. Anyone who played the previous Subnautica will have been nervous about descending to the depths of the cavern; as the deeper players went in the original game, the more frightening and dangerous the environments would become.
Consequently, many players were pleasantly surprised when they were greeted by the striking colors presented to them in the caverns. The area looks like something out of a dream sequence, thanks to the stunning purple and blue crystals. Unfortunately, the beauty of the area will soon be forgotten about when players hear their first shriek of a Shadow Leviathan, which won't think twice before attacking.
1 Precursor Homeworld
The Precursor Homeworld is the last location that players will see in the game. Unfortunately, players don't get to explore the breathtaking environment before them, though the game's ending heavily implies that it could be the location of a third game in the series.
Subnautica: Below Zero's ending has divided players, as although the sight of the Precursor Homeworld feels rewarding, some people were disappointed as it felt like the ending was essentially an advert for the next game in the series.