Early Access launch guide

Subnautica 2 Wiki

Built by fans for the May 14 Early Access launch. Launch info, platform decisions, co-op planning, Hotfix 3 notes, known issues, and a growing wiki of the things you'll actually search.

Release
May 14, 2026
08:00 PDT / 15:00 UTC
Price
$29.99 USD
Early Access launch price
Mode
Solo + co-op
Up to 4 players online
Game highlights

Subnautica 2 core systems: biomes, co-op, creatures, bases & resources

Six systems doing most of the heavy lifting in a Subnautica 2 session. Click any of them for the full wiki page.

Open wiki →

Some artwork on this site is original Sub2Wiki editorial art used for atmosphere; official screenshots are labeled when used.

Top Subnautica 2 pages by search traffic

The pages we land most search traffic on, with the questions they answer.

View all pages

Subnautica 2 launch questions: platforms, co-op & Game Pass

Yes/no questions you probably came here to answer, with unknowns called out plainly.

Open FAQ

Subnautica 2 planning: setup, multiplayer, cross-platform & Steam Deck

Once you've picked a platform and started planning a session, here's what to sort next.

Open planner

Most-searched Subnautica 2 topics

The four pages people hit Google for first.

View launch details
Launch Planner

Pick a platform, prep co-op, and choose what to do first.

Release Hub

Launch date, price, platforms, and what Early Access includes.

Release Time

Launch time by timezone, countdown context, and day-one checklist.

Concept Art Gallery

Fan-made leviathan, biome, base, and co-op artwork with notes for each piece.

Download Guide

Steam, Epic, Xbox, Game Pass, and storefront choices.

Download Size

50 GB storage requirement, install prep, and platform notes.

Game Pass

Day-one access, Game Preview, cloud, console, handheld, and PC.

Steam vs Game Pass

Choose between ownership, subscription access, and Xbox ecosystem benefits.

PS5 Status

What is confirmed, what is not, and how PlayStation players should track updates.

Switch Status

Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 status without unconfirmed platform claims.

Split-Screen

Online co-op versus local couch co-op, explained clearly.

Base Refunds

Move or delete a bad first base and recover building materials safely.

Vehicles

Tadpole, docking/fabrication roadmap, upgrade review rules, and future vehicle watch.

Biomods

Welcome Center Biolab picks, Dash, Sea Skimmer, DNA Modification aliases, later Bioscanner unlocks, and passive-slot roadmap.

First Base Checklist

Checklist for Welcome Center prep, Habitat Builder materials, southwest wreck scans, and the first base return trip.

Crafting Planner

Goal-based planner for survival, tools, base building, Tadpole progression, and biomod route leads.

Items & Materials

Search resources, tools, equipment, vehicles, food, and route-sensitive progression items.

Fibrous Pulp

Starter pickup, Fiber chain, and harvest planning.

Portable Storage

First-hour inventory relief, temporary staging, and capacity checks.

Scanner

Starter scan tool route, Fragment priorities, Bioscanner boundary, and current Fabricator checks.

Bioscanner

Scanner upgrade route tied to Alien Ruins, biomods, and unlock checks.

Power Cell

Vehicle power planning, Power Cell Terminal checks, Tadpole support, and charging assumptions.

Sonic Resonator

Special-deposit tool route for Creature Enamel, Conduit Crystal, and Feedback Resonator searches.

Habitat Builder

Welcome Center scan route, starter material reservations, and first-base planning.

Repair Tool

Chap base and wreck fragment routes with crafting checks.

Acid Rain Pouch

Resource alias, Acidic Raion Pouch spelling note, and battery-chain use.

Titanium

Starter construction material, Survival Multitool, and Habitat Builder planning.

Copper

Starter electronics material, Basic Battery, and Copper Wire planning.

Basic Battery

Starter power part, Acidic Raion Pouch route, Scanner use, and Welcome Center power slot.

Copper Wire

Habitat Builder material chain and Copper spend order.

Quartz

Starter Glass-chain material, Scanner prep, and shallow route check.

Glass

Quartz planning, Habitat Builder use, and Creature Enamel caution.

Troilite

Hotfix 2 late-route material, Metal Farm planning, and seed-sample warning.

Metal Farm

Late resource production, rare-material preservation, and power placement planning.

Power Plant Route

Alien Ruins route planning for Power Plant, Observatory, Troilite, Axum, Conduit Crystal, and Metal Farm searches.

Interactive Map

Coordinates, resource leads, blueprint routes, base spots, and route notes.

Official Links

Official posts, trailers, store pages, and community links.

Latest Updates

Official news, launch events, patch tracking, and changed pages.

Known Issues

Bug watch, workarounds, hotfix status, and intended mechanics.

Community Reports

Anonymous launch-week report summaries and issue patterns.

Community

Discord, Reddit, Steam Community, YouTube, and feedback links.

Launch Tools

Planner, co-op prep, requirements checks, and trackers.

PC Requirements

Minimum and recommended specs from the Steam page.

Multiplayer

Co-op player count, cross-platform multiplayer, and session planning.

Early Access

What is included at launch and what should expand later.

Game Wiki

Creatures, resources, biomes, vehicles, biomods, and crafting in one place.

Subnautica 2 vs Subnautica 1

How the sequel compares with Subnautica and Below Zero.

Progression Route

Recommended early order from Prologue and First Hour to Flashlight, Angel Comb, Welcome Center, Tadpole, and first base.

Prologue Walkthrough

NOA, PDA, O2, Pressure Tolerance, Aid Kit, Water, biological bed, black box, red devices, and Launch.

First Hour Plan

A spoiler-light first-session plan for solo and co-op players.

Flashlight Fragments

Scan the Lifepod cave and northeast wreck fragments, then craft the Flashlight.

Beginner Route

What to do first, what to build, and how to stay alive.

Creature Survival

Can you kill creatures, Survival Tool expectations, flares, avoidance, and Hotfix 3 tuning.

Subnautica 2 screenshots: exploration, vehicles & co-op

Three different angles on what the game actually looks like underwater.

Open wiki
Featured items

Subnautica 2 items & resources to know first

Eight starter and early-route materials that drive the first powered base, Scanner progress, Habitat Builder chain, the Hotfix 2 mineral rebalance, and the Hotfix 3 Interior Wall cost change. Each links to the full resource or base-building guide.

Open items index →
Featured creatures

Subnautica 2 creatures & leviathans tracked here

Eight creature trackers covering apex leviathans, mid-route hazards, and ambient fauna. Threat tier, biome context, and patch-aware notes live on each detail page.

Open creatures index →

Confirmed Subnautica 2 launch facts

Release
May 14, 2026
08:00 PDT / 15:00 UTC
Price
$29.99 USD
Launch price
Mode
Solo + co-op
Up to 4 players online
Coverage
Wiki + guides
Living reference content
Official trailer

Subnautica 2 Early Access cinematic trailer

Official Early Access cinematic. We embed only the thumbnail so the page stays fast, then open the video on YouTube when you click.