Subnautica 2
Credit: Unknown Worlds
Subnautica 2, in its final form, may end up being one of the biggest opportunities for gamers. The long-awaited sequel was just released on Thursday and costs $29.99. Although the early access version is not a complete product, it seems to offer enough for fans and followers of the original to explore.
Considering that more content and features are coming, Subnautica 2 is worth checking out if you’re interested in underwater survival. Check out this breakdown and the videos embedded here. You will have a strong start and answers to some questions about this interesting title.
Key facts at a glance
- Title: Subnautica 2
- Developer/Publisher: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
- Launch Early Access: Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 8 a.m. PDT / 11 a.m. EDT / 4 p.m. BST / 15:00 UTC
- Early access price: $29.99 USD
- Launch platforms: PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store), Xbox Series X|S
- Game Passes: Day-one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
- Full 1.0: Expected 2027-2028
- PS5/Switch 2: Not available during early access
What time does Subnautica 2 Early Access unlock?
Early Access opened on Thursday morning May 14 at different times around the world.
The 8 a.m. global anchor PDT translates to 10 a.m. at Chicago, 11 a.m. on the East Coast, 4 p.m. in London, 5 p.m. in Paris and Berlin and midnight on May 15 in Tokyo and Seoul. No region got in early — every market unlocked the same 15:00 UTC switch, matching pre-launch coverage from earlier this week on preload windows and platform details.
How much is Subnautica 2 Early Access?
The price of $29.99 is a lot, especially when you realize how much there is to discover in this game. Unknown Worlds has specifically stated that the game will cost more after full version 1.0, which places the Early Access window as the lowest entry point for the title.
That’s a fundamentally different price strategy than most major releases in 2026. Compared to other recent releases like 007: First Light or LEGO Batman, Subnautica 2 is asking less than half of what a typical AAA title commands.
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On which platforms is Subnautica 2 Early Access enabled?
For now, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch users will have to wait.
The Early Access version is live on PC via Steamthe Epic Games Store and the Microsoft Store, as well as Xbox Series X|S with the first inclusion in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Cross-platform multiplayer between PC and Xbox is supported at launch, but Sony isn’t running an early access program on PlayStation, and the Switch 2 hasn’t been announced as a target at any stage.
What should players expect from Subnautica 2 Early Access?
This game is going to be developed over the next year or so, and that’s not a problem because Unknown Worlds has set the right expectations with its community. The game also offers a ton of content in Early Access and is off to a promising start.
Multiplayer is included from day one with up to four players, multiple biomes, creatures, craftables, and core survival systems are playable at launch, and the developer roadmap targets additional biomes, systems, and narrative content over a 2- to 3-year window. Unknown Worlds estimates that full 1.0 will arrive between 2027 and 2028, and the studio has been transparent that some launch features may not work as intended during the Early Access window.
Armed with this information, users should have all the details they need when deciding whether or not to take the plunge.
