Subnautica Switch 2 Review

Subnautica Switch 2 Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2

Subnautica has been a staple on my Switch memory card ever since I first discovered it a few years ago. Part Minecraft, part Endless Ocean, and part Eldritch horror. It’s always been a game I feel like I can just play at my own pace, despite the danger lurking in the dark below. Now, Unknown Worlds Entertainment has released a Switch 2 upgrade for those of us still underwater, and I simply had to dive back in. What’s it Like? Grab your flippers, check your oxygen tank, and remember to fall backwards out of the boat as we review Subnautica on Nintendo Switch 2.

Subnautica opens with you escaping a crashing interstellar ship called the Aurora, owned by the Alterra Corporation. This will all come into play later, but at the start, it’s just you, a damaged escape pod, and an ocean planet teeming with wildlife that can either sustain you… Or eat you. The game is open-ended, letting you choose where to go from here. In the opening hours, you’ll learn the basics: establishing food and water supplies, crafting essential gear, and exploring the local area before retreating back to the safety of your pod when darkness falls. To survive, you’ll need to manage oxygen, food, and water, as well as patch yourself up after encounters with local wildlife. Environmental threats also come into play, combining to create a constant sense of alert and danger, especially the deeper you dive. Each biome has its own hazards, from aggressive predators to hazardous terrain, and learning when and where to explore becomes part of the challenge.

Eventually, you’ll be able to build specialised equipment to harvest resources, upgrade your diving kit with flippers, larger oxygen tanks, and tools that let you venture further and deeper, and construct bases that are both sprawling and self-sufficient. These bases can include scanning rooms, power generators, and reinforced structures, allowing you to live independently of the escape pod. You’ll also gain access to vehicles like the Seamoth, Prawn Suit, and Cyclops, each with unique abilities for speed, deep exploration, or heavy mining, and each fully upgradeable to tackle the planet’s toughest environments. Crafting isn’t just limited to survival essentials; tools like laser cutters, propulsion devices, and underwater cameras expand your exploration options, opening up new ways to discover the world. The game rewards this curiosity: exploring the depths yields rare resources, blueprints, story elements, and upgrades, giving every dive a sense of purpose. Over time, you’ll grow to know the best spots to harvest specific resources and how to navigate the ocean around you.

It’s easy to almost settle into a survival routine, especially in the safer shallows, but you still need to escape the planet and uncover the mystery of why the Aurora went down. As the old saying goes, “A Ship in a Harbour Is Safe, But that Is Not What Ships Are Built For…” To experience the game’s best moments, including building incredible vehicles and fully exploring its alien depths, you’ll have to face some truly terrifying encounters, which I won’t spoil here.

Subnautica looks fantastic on Switch 2, with its sharper resolution bringing the alien ocean to life. The bright, tropical starting area feels welcoming, luring you into a false sense of security, while each biome beyond has its own distinct look, colour palette, and atmosphere. The kelp forests sway gently in the currents, glowing coral reefs shimmer in the sunlight, and deep scars loom beneath the waves, hinting at the mysteries below. Small creatures swim around you, and dugong-like animals frolic in the waves, giving the world a vibrant, alive quality. Even the smallest details, like schools of fish reacting to your presence or light filtering through the water, add to the sense that this is a living, breathing planet.

Player-built structures and equipment have a futuristic, sterile look, intentionally standing out against the natural environment. Bases create a sense of human intrusion mixed into the wild, alien ocean. As you leave the safety of the shallows, the visuals take a darker turn, adding mystery and intrigue while making the player feel uneasy. Biomes like the Lost River or the deeper caverns use shadows, lighting, and occasional bio-luminescent flora to make the depths feel both beautiful and threatening. Those with thalassophobia might want to proceed with caution, as the game plays on the fear of the vast, deep ocean below.

Subnautica on Switch 2 comes with enhanced resolution, mouse controls, and smoother framerates, which are immediately noticeable. While the framerate is variable and not locked to 60, performance generally sits between 30 and 60 frames per second, mostly staying above 40 throughout gameplay. The variable framerate is noticeable at times, but doesn’t impact the overall experience. For a full performance breakdown, stay tuned for a Switch 1 vs. Switch 2 graphics comparison video, which should be live shortly after this review.

For my divers looking into accessibility, Subnautica offers a few options to make your dive smoother. You can adjust the field of view, scale the UI, and remove lighting flashes. All inputs are fully rebindable, which is great for players using accessibility controllers. At just under $45 AUD, or free for existing owners of the Switch 1 version, there’s a lot of game here for base-building divers. While there is certainly a narrative and an endgame, you can take your time getting there by exploring and optimising your base. Even if you rush through, your first playthrough will take around 25 to 30 hours, providing solid bang for your buck.

Subnautica on Switch 2 is a very welcome surprise in an already packed month of game releases. The improvements in performance and graphics, on top of the already stellar gameplay, make it a fantastic (and affordable) choice for gamers looking to lose themselves in an open-ended adventure. Sure, there’s still a little bit of jank, but it doesn’t get in the way of the gripping mystery and rewarding progression that propels the game forward. Subnautica on Switch 2 is the perfect excuse to dive under the surface once more.

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