Subnautica 2 has launched into Early Access on Steam as of May 14, 2026, bringing a new underwater survival adventure to players on PC and Xbox. The sequel to the critically acclaimed Subnautica, developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment and published by Krafton, takes players to an entirely new alien ocean world.
New World, New Depths
Subnautica 2 introduces a brand-new alien planet with unique biomes, creatures, and mysteries to uncover. The game features four-player cooperative play for the first time in the series, allowing friends to explore, build bases, and survive together beneath the waves. A new cinematic trailer released on April 30 showcased the game's stunning underwater environments and confirmed the May 14 launch window.
Early Access Pricing and Content
Subnautica 2 is available on Steam Early Access for $29.99. The Early Access launch includes a substantial portion of the full game's content, with Unknown Worlds planning to expand the game through community feedback throughout the Early Access period. The game is also available day one on Xbox Game Pass for console and PC.
Development Journey
The game's development was not without challenges — Bloomberg's Jason Schreier reported that the Early Access release was postponed from its original 2025 window to 2026 following internal changes at Unknown Worlds. The studio has since stabilized and delivered the May 14 launch as promised, with the team taking players on a "first dive showcase" prior to release.
Sources
Release date confirmed via official Unknown Worlds announcement and cinematic trailer. Details corroborated by Kotaku, Notebookcheck, IGN, Wikipedia, and the Steam store page. Game Pass availability confirmed via Xbox Wire and multiple outlets.