Games / Adventure

Subnautica

Switch 2 Enhanced

Jun 5, 2025Adventure · IndieE10+

MC83

Metacritic

4.2

User rating

1491 ratings

Great Value

$0.36 per quality point

$29.99eShop

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Prices checked 14 Oct 2026

Trailers

Screenshots

Our take

Subnautica on Switch 2 is a stunning port that captures the essence of deep-sea exploration and survival. The price hasn't been announced yet, but if you enjoy open-world survival games with a strong narrative, it’s likely worth it. Just be prepared for some performance hiccups.

Exploring the underwater world of Subnautica is a engaging experience. The Switch 2 enhances the game's visuals significantly, showcasing stunning biomes like the Kelp Forest and the Jellyshroom Cave. However, performance can falter in busier sections, leading to occasional frame rate drops that detract from the immersion. The controls are intuitive and work well for both handheld and docked play, giving you versatility. Crafting feels satisfying, though the base-building aspect is less intricate than in the PC version. With a strong narrative that unfolds piece by piece, it keeps you hooked even when the gameplay feels repetitive at times. The combination of survival mechanics and exploration makes it a compelling title, albeit with some compromises.

Pros

Gorgeous underwater visuals with vibrant biomes, even on the Switch 2.
Robust crafting system utilizing the Fabricator, allowing for diverse tool creation.
Engaging story that unfolds through environmental storytelling and radio messages.

Cons

Performance dips during intense sequences, particularly in densely populated areas.
Load times can be longer than expected, especially during large map transitions.
Some mechanics feel simplified compared to the PC version, like limited base building.

Players navigate a vast ocean, gathering resources to survive while uncovering an intriguing story. You’ll craft tools and vehicles, manage hunger and thirst, and discover mysterious ruins. Exploration is key, as is the use of your Seamoth and Cyclops subs for deeper dives. The game also features a day-night cycle that affects creature behavior.

On Switch 2

On Switch 2, Subnautica’s performance benefits from improved hardware, but it still struggles with frame rates during intense underwater moments. Handheld mode is surprisingly smooth, making it easy to explore the ocean's depths anywhere, despite some minor visual downgrades compared to PC.

Who it's for

This is perfect for players who crave exploration and storytelling in their survival games. If you're after fast-paced action or a more complex building system, you might want to look elsewhere.

About

Subnautica is a first-person game about survival in the deep sea. You control Ryley Robinson, a space traveler in the 22nd century, who crash-landed his starship on a planet that is covered almost entirely by the ocean. The protagonist needs to eat and drink, although this can be disabled in lower difficulty modes. He can desalinate oceanic water, catch or gather the seafood, and create useful tools and structures. Unlike many survival games, Subnautica has a detailed plot, in which Ryley has to uncover why his ship crashed. By exploring the ocean, finding the remnants of other crashes, and listening to the radio messages, Robinson will learn about the enormous Leviathan, the mysterious Precursors, and the reason why this planet is quarantined. The game is famous for its spectacular portrayal of the ocean and its wildlife. Robinson is equipped with a scuba diving gear that allows the player to spend most of the game underwater, although oxygen still has to be replenished. The player can dive deep and explore the world full of corals, fish, and other colorful sea creatures, often grotesque or bio-luminescent. The environment is randomly generated to improve replayability.