Subnautica cover art

Subnautica

by Unknown Worlds · published by Gearbox Publishing

Released January 23, 2018 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Mac, iOS, Android, and SteamVR.

Subnautica Trailer thumbnail

About Subnautica

Descend into the depths of an alien underwater world filled with wonder and peril. Craft equipment, pilot submarines and out-smart wildlife to explore lush coral reefs, volcanoes, cave systems, and more, all while trying to survive.

You have crash-landed on an alien ocean world, and the only way to go is down. Subnautica's oceans range from sun drenched shallow coral reefs to treacherous deep-sea trenches, lava fields, and bio-luminescent underwater rivers. Manage your oxygen supply as you explore kelp forests, plateaus, reefs, and winding cave systems. The water teems with life: Some of it helpful, much of it harmful. After crash landing in your Life Pod, the clock is ticking to find water, food, and to develop the equipment you need to explore. Collect resources from the ocean around you. Craft diving gear, lights, habitat modules, and submersibles. Venture deeper and further form to find rarer resources, allowing you to craft more advanced items.

Release dates by platform

PCEarly accessDecember 16, 2014 · Out now
MacEarly accessJune 2015
Xbox OneEarly accessMay 2016
SteamVRJanuary 23, 2018 · Out now
PlayStation 4December 4, 2018 · Out now
PlayStation 5May 13, 2021 · Out now
Xbox Series X|SMay 14, 2021 · Out now
Nintendo SwitchNAMay 14, 2021 · Out now
Nintendo SwitchEUMay 14, 2021 · Out now
Nintendo SwitchJPMay 14, 2021 · Out now
iOSJuly 8, 2025 · Out now
AndroidJuly 8, 2025 · Out now
Nintendo Switch 2February 17, 2026 · Out now

Reviews & players

Critic score8411 reviews
Steam reviewsOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 381K positive
Player score83612 ratings on IGDB
Playing now4,392on Steam at last update

PC system requirements

Official specs from Steam

Full specs

Minimum

OS *Windows Vista SP2 or newer, 64-bit
ProcessorIntel Haswell 2 cores / 4 threads @ 2.5Ghz or equivalent
Memory4 GB RAM
GraphicsIntel HD 4600 or equivalent - This includes most GPUs scoring greater than 950 points in the 3DMark Fire Strike benchmark
DirectXVersion 11
Storage20 GB available space

Recommended

OS *Windows Vista SP2 or newer, 64-bit
ProcessorIntel Haswell 4 cores / 4 threads @ 3.2Ghz or equivalent
Memory8 GB RAM
GraphicsNvidia GTX 550 Ti or equivalent, 2GB VRAM
DirectXVersion 11
Storage20 GB available space

Subnautica FAQ

When did Subnautica come out?

Subnautica was released on January 23, 2018 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Mac, iOS, Android, and SteamVR.

Is Subnautica on PlayStation 5?

Yes. Subnautica launched on PlayStation 5 on May 13, 2021.

Is Subnautica on Xbox Series X|S?

Yes. Subnautica launched on Xbox Series X|S on May 14, 2021.

Is Subnautica on Nintendo Switch 2?

Yes. Subnautica launched on Nintendo Switch 2 on February 17, 2026.

Who is making Subnautica?

Subnautica is developed by Unknown Worlds and published by Gearbox Publishing.

Is Subnautica multiplayer?

No. Subnautica is single player only.

How much does Subnautica cost?

Subnautica costs $29.99 on Steam. Prices checked October 9, 2026.

Is Subnautica good?

Steam players rate it "Overwhelmingly Positive" — 97% of 381,443 reviews are positive. Critics average 84/100.

What are the minimum PC requirements for Subnautica?

The minimum GPU is Intel HD 4600 or equivalent - This includes most GPUs scoring greater than 950 points in the 3DMark Fire Strike…. See the full minimum and recommended specs on our Subnautica system requirements page.

Subnautica series

3 games in release order

Full timeline
  1. Subnautica2018
  2. Subnautica: Below Zero2021
  3. Subnautica 22026

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