Scientist Robin Ayou is alone on a strange ocean planet and everything is trying to kill her. If it's not the wintry weather threatening her with hypothermia, it's the sea creatures trying to eat her while she's exploring the deep, or the ocean itself potentially breaching her ship's hull and drowning her.
This is the world that players encounter in "Subnautica: Below Zero," a sequel to the 2018 hit. It's a title that fits squarely in the survival genre as Robin has to stay alive after she crash lands on Planet 4546B. Her initial mission is to investigate the mysterious death of her sister, Samantha, who was working on this alien world for the interstellar company Alterra.
Robin doesn't buy the corporate report blaming her sibling's demise on "employee negligence," so she's on the planet to see for herself. What she uncovers is a wider conflict that involves an ancient alien race and the deadly Kharaa Bacterium.
Because this is a sci-fi survival game in the first person, players have to worry about hunger, thirst, heat and air. Think of it is as "underwater Minecraft," as others have put it, but it's more narratively focused, up to a point.
Initially, players have it rough. They can stay underwater for a few seconds before coming up for air. They move slowly without external equipment. They know nothing about what can help or kill them in the environment.
Players craft upgrades such as flippers and a seaglide that lets them venture farther into the deep. They find blueprints for a habitat builder, which lets them establish a base. The more time and effort players put into the exploration and crafting aspects, the more the world opens up.
Unfortunately, players don't have a quest guide that organizes the objectives in a clear and concise way. Worse yet, some missions require players to locate hard-to-find materials to progress, which can be frustrating.
Players will find a wealth of tips on the internet or they can go through painful firsthand experiences. I've done both. Still, "Subnautica: Below Zero" has an undeniable allure. Its world is rich and fascinating. The only thing that's needed is a stronger guiding hand that streamlines parts of the game and nudges players through the experience.
