Subnautica: Below Zero Reviews

Subnautica: Below Zero is ranked in the 89th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9.5 / 10.0
May 11, 2021

Subnautica: Below Zero further refines the survival sim, setting a new highpoint for the genre with sky-high production values and amazing world building. Every excursion is risky and rewarding, as the game continues to tease, push, and pull the player ever deeper into its labyrinth. An extraordinary visual delight, Below Zero has the chops to match its graphics with superb gameplay. Subnautica: Below Zero is a masterclass in game design.

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IGN
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
May 11, 2021

Subnautica: Below Zero is a leaner, meaner standalone expansion to Subnautica that improves on the story and mechanics, but doesn't give us as much room to explore.

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9 / 10.0
May 11, 2021

It's technically a survival game, but it feels more like a grand adventure that is free of many of the genre's frustrations

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4.5 / 5 stars
Jul 20, 2021

Subnautica: Below Zero is a solid addition to the survival game genre, delivering a standalone experience that manages to be both cozy and challenging.

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May 12, 2021

In developing Subnautica: Below Zero, Unknown Worlds heeded the lessons learned from Subnautica and the feedback received from players about both games over the years. Below Zero has taken no steps backward and instead offers an even more polished experience than its predecessor. As for gameplay and story, it’s not necessarily a better game, but it is certainly just as good.

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The Games Machine
Emanuele Feronato
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
May 11, 2021

Mix the feeling of weakness of the movie Open Water with a compelling story, a world to explore in metroidvania style kind of like in Don't Starve, add the maniacal detail of In Other Waters, shake and there we have Subnautica: Below Zero, an intriguing sci-fi survival with just a bit of horror. While at first it might seem a little limited in scope, with a bit of patience you will soon realize how great of a game it is.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Nintendo Life
PJ O'Reilly
Top Critic
9 / 10
May 11, 2021

Subnautica and its excellent sequel have arrived on Switch in unexpectedly fine form. This is an absolutely essential survival smorgasbord, a fantastic port and something of a must-buy double feature for fans of the genre. If you're purchasing one or the other separately on Switch we'd still plump for the original game, as Below Zero's fleshed out narrative and on-foot sections dilute the overall experience ever so slightly, but, regardless of which you choose, you're in for a mighty good time here with two of the very best survival games currently available on any platform.

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9 / 10.0
May 24, 2021

The reasons for that are two-fold: it was the most up-to-date version of the game I ploughed through, and two: it represents Unknown Worlds' reinvigorated trust in its own console development chops, which was <i>choppy</i> at best in the first sink or swim release back in 2016.

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GameSpew
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
May 11, 2021

This is a game where there’s not a radio tower, time trial or lengthy side-quest to be seen, and with a few exceptions, it’s down to you to make your own fun. And you know what? It’s an absolute joy to just get out there and mess around, embracing the thrill of discovery. It manages to be fresh, even if you’ve played the original. Subnautica: Below Zero is the most refreshing, engaging sandbox game I’ve played in ages and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t dive right in.

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90 / 100
May 24, 2021

Like its predecessor, Subnautica: Below Zero entertains in each of its little details. The story is able to arouse your curiosity and the infinity of possibilities makes you want to play more and more, be it building, exploring or investigating. Hours in front of the TV are guaranteed.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

GameGrin
Crunchi
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Aug 19, 2022

Subnatica: Below Zero is an excellent survival game, being equally beautiful and terrifying. The narrative is strong but can feel out of place at times.

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90 / 100
May 20, 2021

The mere fact of not having gone further in its playable base compared to the previous one is the only thing that retains this title. A fantastic sequel that fans of the original will adore that deepens -pun intended- the virtues of its predecessor and helps quench a thirst for adventures of solitary exploration in hostile and mysterious environments.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Noisy Pixel
Nathan Meji
9 / 10.0
May 11, 2021

Subnautica: Below Zero offers an amazing world of discoveries through a mysteriously captivating campaign to uncover. Every moment exploring is rewarded through stunning environments, and I wanted to continue my adventure if only to see a little more. There are some moments of confusion through resource management, but once you dive in, Subnautica: Below Zero won’t have you coming up for air any time soon.

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9 / 10.0
May 13, 2021

Subnautica: Below Zero’s adventure is equal parts survival sim and sci-fi thriller, and should you decide to take the plunge into its icy depths, you’re sure to find one of the most robust and satisfying survival titles on the eShop.

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PC Gamer
Top Critic
86 / 100
May 12, 2021

Below Zero is a mostly brilliant sequel to the best survival game of all time.

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Atomix
Top Critic
86 / 100
May 18, 2021

Subnautica: Below Zero is easily one of the best survival/exploration games of this year, and you should definitely check it out even if you weren't a fan of the first game.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
May 11, 2021

Even if there are a lot of shared elements between the two games and the ground-based traversal isn't everything it's cracked up to be, Below Zero's greater focus on character-driven storytelling lands well and this standalone adventure captures the unrivaled magic of underwater exploration all over again.

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8.5 / 10.0
May 11, 2021

Subnautica: Below Zero is a sublimely addictive timesink and an exemplary survival adventure game that transcends the genre. The improvements to the formula of the original game are minimal but impactful. Fans of the franchise will certainly have plenty to get into, and the appeal is broad enough to welcome many more newcomers to the experience. Whilst there is little ground broken in terms of visuals, Subnautica: Below Zero more than compensates with an all-round stellar experience that rivals that of bigger budget productions.

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9 / 10
May 11, 2021

Subnautica: Below Zero presents an exciting adventure as you explore the unknown. Whether you're trekking through the snow or diving down unfathomable depths, there's a feeling of dread as you try to survive, and a sense of wonderment as you discover something new.

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8.5 / 10.0
May 12, 2021

‎The narrative, a desperate quest, the great mysteries of planet 4546B and the surprises we will find ourselves on it. Subnautica: Below Zero considers these elements in order to offer us an icy underwater adventure that expands the experience of the original work. An enjoyable and beneficial adventure for all kinds of players who survive on the cold glacier without relying on anyone. It also calls ‎‎for the importance of enhancing discovery and‎‎ exploration for full development; the significance of experimenting to solve the different problems that may arise in a dynamic, complex, diverse and hostile environment. At the end of the day, we're all explorers who want to understand the world we're in.‎

Review in Spanish | Read full review