Subnautica 2 Release Date, Platforms, and Price — Where to Play

TL;DR

• Subnautica 2 Early Access launched on May 14, 2026.
• Available on PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store) and Xbox Series X|S.
• Price is $29.99 USD — will increase at full 1.0 release.
• Included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass at no extra cost.
• No PS5 or Nintendo Switch version confirmed for Early Access.
• Supports up to 4-player co-op with full crossplay between PC and Xbox.

Subnautica 2 is finally here. After a bumpy development road — including leadership drama, lawsuits, and a delay from 2025 — Unknown Worlds Entertainment has officially launched the game into Early Access. If you are wondering where to play Subnautica 2, how much it costs, and which platforms it is on, this guide has all the answers.

Subnautica 2 Release Date

Subnautica 2 entered Early Access on May 14, 2026. The global launch went live simultaneously at 8:00 AM PDT / 11:00 AM EDT / 4:00 PM BST / 8:30 PM IST.

This is not the full 1.0 release. It is the Early Access version — a complete but still-developing game. Unknown Worlds estimates Early Access will last around two to three years, with new biomes, creatures, story chapters, and features added throughout.

The game was originally planned for 2025, but was delayed after internal playtests showed several areas needing improvement before a public launch. It eventually launched in 2026 after a court reinstated studio CEO Ted Gill and resolved a legal dispute with publisher Krafton.

Where to Play Subnautica 2 — All Platforms

Subnautica 2 is available on PC and Xbox Series X|S. Here is a breakdown of every place you can play it right now.

PC — Steam

Steam is the most popular way to play Subnautica 2 on PC. You can buy it directly and preload was available ahead of launch. The download size is around 14.56 GB, though you need 50 GB of free storage for the full install. You can grab it here: Subnautica 2 on Steam.

PC — Epic Games Store

Subnautica 2 is also available on the Epic Games Store for PC players. The price is the same — $29.99 USD. Crossplay works between Epic and Steam players, so you can squad up with friends regardless of which PC storefront they use.

PC — Microsoft Store

PC Game Pass subscribers can access Subnautica 2 through the Microsoft Store or the Xbox app on Windows. This is also where you install it if you are using an ROG Xbox Ally.

Xbox Series X|S

Subnautica 2 is available on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. On console, it launches under Microsoft’s Game Preview program — the Xbox equivalent of Early Access. There is no last-gen Xbox One version. You can find it here: Subnautica 2 on Xbox.

Subnautica 2 is also an Xbox Play Anywhere title. That means if you buy it once on Xbox, you can also play it on PC — and your saves carry across both.

Xbox Game Pass

This is the biggest surprise of the launch. Subnautica 2 is available day one on Xbox Game Pass — at no extra charge if you already subscribe. It is included in:

• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
• PC Game Pass

Note that it is not included in the lower Game Pass Essential or Game Pass Premium tiers. Only Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can access it through the service.

Is Subnautica 2 on PS5?

No. There is no PS5 version confirmed for the Early Access period. Sony does not currently support Microsoft’s Game Preview framework, which is how Early Access titles are distributed on Xbox. A PS5 version may come when the game reaches its full 1.0 release — the original Subnautica eventually arrived on PlayStation 4 — but nothing is announced.

Is Subnautica 2 on Nintendo Switch?

No. There is no Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 version announced at this time.

Subnautica 2 Price — How Much Does It Cost?

The Early Access launch price for Subnautica 2 is $29.99 USD. Regional pricing applies automatically through each storefront. In Europe, it is approximately €29.99. In the UK, it is around £25.99.

There is only one edition. No deluxe version, no season pass, no battle pass. The developers have been clear: no subscriptions, no loot boxes, no microtransactions.

Importantly, the price will rise when the game exits Early Access and ships its 1.0 version. Buying now locks in the lower price. Your Early Access purchase automatically converts to the full game at no extra cost when 1.0 arrives.

If you already own Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero, there is a 50% off Deep Ocean Bundle on Steam that includes all three games. If you already own the first two, a 10% discount applies to Subnautica 2 alone.

What Is Included at Early Access Launch?

Subnautica 2 is set on a brand-new alien ocean planet. You play as a Pioneer — a colonist stranded after your ship goes off course. From there, you must survive, explore, build, and uncover what happened.

Here is what is available from day one:

• Multiple biomes to explore, each with unique creatures and environments
• Four pre-designed characters to choose from, with more to come in updates
• Up to 4-player co-op — play solo or with friends online
• Base building tools and a submersible vehicle called the Tadpole
• DNA modification mechanics to gain new abilities
• Some story content, with the full narrative expanding throughout Early Access
• Crossplay between PC (Steam, Epic, Microsoft Store) and Xbox Series X|S

Saves carry forward as updates arrive. You will not lose progress between Early Access patches.

Subnautica 2 PC System Requirements

The game was built on Unreal Engine 5, so requirements are higher than the original. Here are the minimum and recommended specs:

Minimum (1080p / Low / 30 FPS):

• CPU: Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600
• RAM: 12 GB
• GPU: GeForce GTX 1660 6GB or RX 5500 XT 6GB
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 50 GB
• OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)

Recommended (1440p / Medium / 60 FPS):

• A mid-range modern GPU with at least 8 GB VRAM
• Broadband internet connection required for multiplayer
• 50 GB of available storage (keep extra room for updates)

Requirements may increase as new content is added during Early Access.

Subnautica 2 Multiplayer and Crossplay

This is the first Subnautica game to feature multiplayer. Up to four players can explore together in co-op. You can join a friend’s session mid-run, and the game syncs progress, crafting recipes, and data entries across the group.

Crossplay is fully supported at launch. Players on Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store, and Xbox Series X|S can all play together in the same session using an in-game Friend Code.

Solo worlds can be converted to co-op without losing progress. The game is described as a single-player first experience — meaning it plays well alone — but co-op is fully integrated, not just bolted on.

About Subnautica 2 and the Developer

Subnautica 2 is developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment, the same studio behind the award-winning Subnautica (2018) and Subnautica: Below Zero (2021). The team is fully remote and distributed across the US, UK, France, Australia, and beyond.

For the latest news and updates from the official Subnautica universe, visit the official Subnautica website.

The game had a turbulent path to launch — including a hostile takeover attempt by publisher Krafton, leadership firings, delayed bonuses worth up to $250 million, and a court case that ultimately reinstated the original CEO. Despite all of that, the game launched on schedule in 2026 with strong community interest, surpassing 5 million wishlists on Steam before release.

Should You Buy Subnautica 2 Now or Wait?

Here is a simple way to think about it:

• Buy now if you are comfortable with an unfinished game and want to lock in the lower $29.99 price before it rises at 1.0.
• Use Game Pass if you already subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass — you can try it at no extra cost. Just know that if you cancel your subscription, you lose access.
• Wait for 1.0 if you prefer a polished, complete experience. Unknown Worlds estimates that is roughly two to three years away, and the price will be higher by then.

For PS5 players, waiting is currently the only option. No console date has been announced.

Subnautica 2 — Quick Summary Table

• Release Date: May 14, 2026 (Early Access)
• Platforms: PC (Steam, Epic, Microsoft Store), Xbox Series X|S
• Price: $29.99 USD (will increase at 1.0)
• Game Pass: Yes — Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
• PS5 / Switch: Not confirmed for Early Access
• Multiplayer: Up to 4-player co-op with crossplay
• Developer: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
• Engine: Unreal Engine 5
• Early Access Duration: Estimated 2–3 years