Everything a sequel should be and more.
I've owned my copy of the game for a couple years at this point, patiently waiting for the full release. I took a weekend to myself when it dropped and I ended up 100% completing it over the weekend, clocking in about 30 hours of playtime, and boy oh boy did I have a blast. I plan to go back in and craft every upgrade and every vehicle possible, and work on expanding my base.
While the original Subnautica was an impressive and downright incredible yet terrifying experience in and of itself, Below Zero turns it up a notch by bringing you to an even more inhospitable underwater environment: the arctic. With an all-new map, new flora and fauna, multiple quality of life improvements, new tools, new vehicles, updated graphics, a dynamic weather system, a new main protagonist and a fresh plot that expands upon the lore of the first game while introducing new characters and bringing back some old ones, Subnautica Below Zero is a fantastic open-world survival experience like none other.
The new biomes are fresh and unique. None of them really overlap with the biomes from the previous game. You get crazy, twisty coral formations, hydrothermal vents, deep arctic expanses, diverse and beautiful cave systems, and even a biome with gigantic lilypads! And in these new biomes are a plethora of new creatures. Some are cute and friendly, and some you want to stay far away from.
In addition to the underwater exploration, there is even more land exploration in BZ. You can explore the vast reaches of the Glacial Basin and Arctic Spires, uncovering Alterra research facilities and ancient alien structures while interacting with actual land creatures and facing off against a terrifying new leviathan. Much is to be discovered in these areas, and it's a lot of fun!
In terms of the OST, Simon Chylinski is no longer the composer, and in his place Ben Prunty takes the helm, and he delivers on every front. Ben's soundtrack is as good, if not better in some areas, than Simon's, though I enjoy both of theirs equally in their own rights. The atmospheric ambient synth tracks mixed with elements of chillout fits the sci-fi underwater aesthetic perfectly, and I always find myself with the melodies stuck in my head for days.
This game has definitely been one of my top gaming experiences this year, and I will continue to dump hours into it, even replaying it all over again, just because it's so good, and I want to explore every inch of the map and discover everything the game has to offer.
Definitely pick it up if you can!
I've owned my copy of the game for a couple years at this point, patiently waiting for the full release. I took a weekend to myself when it dropped and I ended up 100% completing it over the weekend, clocking in about 30 hours of playtime, and boy oh boy did I have a blast. I plan to go back in and craft every upgrade and every vehicle possible, and work on expanding my base.
While the original Subnautica was an impressive and downright incredible yet terrifying experience in and of itself, Below Zero turns it up a notch by bringing you to an even more inhospitable underwater environment: the arctic. With an all-new map, new flora and fauna, multiple quality of life improvements, new tools, new vehicles, updated graphics, a dynamic weather system, a new main protagonist and a fresh plot that expands upon the lore of the first game while introducing new characters and bringing back some old ones, Subnautica Below Zero is a fantastic open-world survival experience like none other.
The new biomes are fresh and unique. None of them really overlap with the biomes from the previous game. You get crazy, twisty coral formations, hydrothermal vents, deep arctic expanses, diverse and beautiful cave systems, and even a biome with gigantic lilypads! And in these new biomes are a plethora of new creatures. Some are cute and friendly, and some you want to stay far away from.
In addition to the underwater exploration, there is even more land exploration in BZ. You can explore the vast reaches of the Glacial Basin and Arctic Spires, uncovering Alterra research facilities and ancient alien structures while interacting with actual land creatures and facing off against a terrifying new leviathan. Much is to be discovered in these areas, and it's a lot of fun!
In terms of the OST, Simon Chylinski is no longer the composer, and in his place Ben Prunty takes the helm, and he delivers on every front. Ben's soundtrack is as good, if not better in some areas, than Simon's, though I enjoy both of theirs equally in their own rights. The atmospheric ambient synth tracks mixed with elements of chillout fits the sci-fi underwater aesthetic perfectly, and I always find myself with the melodies stuck in my head for days.
This game has definitely been one of my top gaming experiences this year, and I will continue to dump hours into it, even replaying it all over again, just because it's so good, and I want to explore every inch of the map and discover everything the game has to offer.
Definitely pick it up if you can!