Subnautica: Below Zero has finally received its full release after a successful period in early access. The survival game keeps its core gameplay very similar to its predecessor, Subnautica, but does make a few significant changes, such as the introduction of arctic biomes and a new set of aggressive creatures to contend with.

RELATED: Pro Tips For Returnal You Need To Know

One of the many aspects that Below Zero continues from its predecessor is its lack of hand-holding. Players are free to explore the game's open world in any direction they choose, and aren't given too much insight as to what to do and where to go. Consequently, it can be difficult for new players to understand how best to approach the game. So, to give beginners some guidance, here are some Subnautica: Below Zero tips and tricks for the game's opening hours.

Updated November 3, 2021, by Jack Pursey: Subantuica: Below Zero received its full release a few months ago, and many players have now finished their memorable journey to Planet 4546B. Numerous players have been complimentary of the adventure, and the game received solid Metascores of 83 and 82 and Xbox Series X and PC respectively, encouraging many people to give the game a try.

Trying out this title easy for plenty of people today, as the game recently came to Microsoft's Game Pass service. For those who are diving into the arctic ocean for the first time, we've updated this list to include five more Subnautica: Below Zero tips.

15 Never Travel To The World Edge

Void Chelicerate

The World Edge, as the name suggests, is the edge of the game's map. When people get close to the World Edge, they will be greeted by the horrifying message "WARNING. Entering ecological dead zone. The prospect for survival is fast approaching zero."

For most people, this is a clear sign to take an immediate U-turn and travel far, far away. For gamers, however, this can be taken as a sign that they're about to reach an exciting new area that is integral to the story. Unfortunately, all that is waiting for the players in the biome is a swift death.

The World Edge essentially acts as an extreme invisible wall, as it stops players from travelling beyond the map's edge by killing them. Three Void Chelicerate Leviathans will constantly spawn around the player, and will respawn if the player manages to kill them.

14 Always Read New Databank Entries

Databank entry

With the amount of fauna, resources, and pre-existing bases in Subnautica: Below Zero, the player's databank is constantly being filled with new entries. Because of this, and because of how long some of the entries are, many players will decide not to bother reading any of them.

This is a mistake, as the databank entries provide vital information regarding how to progress in the campaign. They also include missable story moments, as well as handy information for how to survive against aggressive creatures and environmental hazards.

13 Think Carefully About Base Placement

Underwater base

Base building can be one of the most enjoyable elements of Subnautica: Below Zero, and players can be entertained for hours expanding and improving their base. Despite this, many new players overlook the most important aspect of base building: the base's placement.

RELATED: Subnautica: Below Zero – Most Useful Items (& How To Craft Them)

Placing the base in a dangerous area can be a fatal error, as players may struggle to return if it's been mistakenly placed around a group of Chelicerate Leviathans. Along with ensuring the base is safe, it's also worth considering convenience, so that the base can be a hub between key locations.

12 Upgrade The Oxygen Tank As Soon As Possible

Two oxygen tanks

Upgrading the oxygen tank should be one of the first things that players do when starting a new campaign in Below Zero. Although it may seem obvious, many new players put the upgrade off, putting themselves in constant danger of drowning and significantly slowing down their progress.

Upgrading the oxygen tank will let players dive deeper and stay in the water for considerably longer, which will make the opening hours of the game far easier.

11 Keep An Eye Out For Ice Floes

Ice floes

Following on from the previous point about the dangers of drowning, players need to keep a constant eye out for ice floes. This term refers to large portions of ice that sit on the ocean's surface, which can provide a barrier preventing players from reaching the top.

Below Zero's ocean has a handful of areas that are densely populated with ice floes. Many of these ice floes can take over five seconds to pass, so it's essential to keep an eye out for them when getting low on oxygen.

10 Scan Everything

Holding Scanner underwater

The scanner is one of the first items that players should craft. It's constructed with one Titanium and one Battery at the Fabricator and will have many benefits for the player. The scanner's main benefit is that it will teach them how to craft certain items required to progress further in the game.

When first starting Below Zero, players may be nonchalant when it comes to scanning, as they believe they can return to certain areas anytime they chose. However, this is a common early-game mistake. Subnutica: Below Zero doesn't provide players with a map, so it can be easy to forget where key scannable items are located.

9 Don't Cook Fish Until Needed

Inventory screen in Subnautica: Below Zero

Another common early-game mistake is stocking up on cooked fish. This may seem logical, as Below Zero gives players a hunger meter that they must constantly keep an eye on to ensure that they don't succumb to an avoidable death. However, cooked fish can't be kept for too long, as they will go rotten if players don't eat them swiftly.

Thankfully, the same issue doesn't exist with drinkable water, which players are free to stock up on as much as they like.

8 Always Carry A Couple Of Beacons

Beacon in the snow - Subnautica: Below Zero

As mentioned before, Subnutica: Below Zero doesn't provide players with a map. Consequently, players will often find themselves struggling to locate previously visited areas, which can be a nightmare when trying to figure out the game's world.

RELATED: Escape From Tarkov: Tips For Beginners In 2021

Thankfully, there is an effective way to prevent this issue. Players are able to find and construct Beacons in Below Zero, which will constantly display their location for the player to see.

7 Keep Dead Batteries

Seaglide underwater in Subnautica Below Zero

Batteries are one of the most important items in all of Subnautica: Below Zero, as players will use numerous electricals throughout their adventure, including key items like the scanner and seaglide.

When batteries reach the end of their charge, it may seem logical to throw them away to open up some inventory space. However, this would be a mistake as dead batteries can eventually be recharged and can also be used for crafting.

6 Understand Creature Behaviour

Cryptosuchus roaring

Subnautica: Below Zero, much like its predecessor, fills 4546B with a plethora of terrifying predators. These predators are one of the players' biggest dangers, as they can deal significant damage or even kill the player if they get too close.

Although it may seem counterintuitive, it's worth scanning predators to understand their behavior. For example, the Cryptosuchus may appear to be a serious issue for the player, but upon researching them, players will learn that they immediately retreat after being hit, making them easy to deal with.

5 Don't Try To Kill Predators

Chelicerate preparing to bite

Another common mistake that players make with Below Zero's predators is thinking that they're supposed to be killed. Players can kill any of the game's predators, though there's more risk than reward to doing so in the early game. Trying to kill predators is a mistake for three main reasons: players receive no reward for doing so, they're very hard to kill, and they'll likely deal more damage to the player.

Once players reach the end of the game and have equipped themselves with some significant armory, killing creatures becomes a more viable option, particularly the Shadow Leviathans that can cause serious issues for players in the game's final act. However, it's best to simply avoid predators until at least the mid-game.

4 Don't Worry About Swimming At Night

Underwater at night

A simple but important piece of advice refers to swimming at night. In many survival games that have a day and night cycle, a darkening sky spells danger for players, as it means that dangerous enemies or hazardous weather conditions are approaching.

RELATED: Fortnite: Things Beginners Can Do To Succeed Right Away

Consequently, many players will return to their base when the sun goes down in Below Zero, believing that there will be a new set of dangers introducing themselves. Thankfully, this isn't the case, and players will only have the added issue of decreased visibility at night.

3 Build Multiple Bases

Underwater base in Subnautica: Below Zero

Base building is one of the most significantly improved features in Below Zero, with players now having far more options in fleshing out their safe zone. Although it can be easy to get lost in making a base look fancy, it's important to remember its main purpose; to keep the player safe and close to key locations.

Creating multiple bases around the map is a great idea, as it makes travelling between biomes far simpler and also gives the player a safe space if they run into trouble.

2 Prepare For Long Trips

Seatruck with attachements in Subnautica: Below Zero

Speaking of running into trouble, it's important to be prepared for long trips to areas that don't yet have a base. Health, hunger, thirst, and body warmth are all factors that can kill players if they're not careful, and all must be taken into consideration before players venture out into unknown locations at significant lengths.

Constructing a Seatruck is a great goal to work towards in hopes of making long trips safer, as players can use it as a home away from home.

1 Don't Travel Too Far Too Soon

Shadow Leviathn below player

Although long trips are important for making progress, it's crucial that players don't get ahead of themselves and start venturing too far without being properly prepared. Like in the previous game, Below Zero has many issues for players awaiting in the depths and biomes furthest away from them.

Not only do players have to contest with environmental hazards like crush depths, but the further they travel from the starting area, the larger and more dangerous the sealife gets. Unfortunately, players will have to travel to these depths eventually, though it's essential to be suitably prepared before doing so.

Subnautica: Below Zero is out now on PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S

MORE:Pro Tips For Resident Evil Village You Need To Know