Subnautica 2, the highly anticipated sequel from Unknown Worlds Entertainment, launched on May 15, 2026, and quickly topped the Steam top sellers chart. Within an hour of release, the game reached over 450,000 concurrent players on Steam, according to data from SteamDB.
The game is currently in early access and is available on Steam and Xbox Game Pass. Unknown Worlds previously parted ways with publisher Krafton, but the studio self-published the sequel. The launch appears to have been successful despite the change in publishing arrangements.
Subnautica 2 expands on the underwater survival-crafting formula of the original, introducing new biomes, creatures, and cooperative multiplayer for up to four players. The early access version includes the first major biome and a portion of the story, with more content planned for future updates.
Player reviews on Steam are 'Very Positive' as of launch day, with many praising the improved graphics and co-op gameplay. The original Subnautica sold over 5 million copies, and the sequel's strong start suggests similar commercial success.
