Ahead of Subnautica 2’s launch in early access, I spoke to a few of the developers in a Group Q&A as part of a media conference presentation. And, of course, as GameSpot’s resident enthusiast of mutating our heroes for the betterment of horror, I used the chance to ask whether the underwater survival-adventure game will use its new adaptation feature to transform the protagonist into an aquatic mutant over time. The answer was disappointing, but completely understandable.
„I would say, even though [Subnautica 2] is one of the biggest games the studio has made, we’re still a pretty small studio–when you look at AAA developers, they often have more designers than we have people on the entire team, for instance, we’re pretty small,“ Subnautica 2 game design lead Anthony Gallegos told me. „So we’re not trying to focus on genetic adaptations that change the player’s look very often.“
Taking place on Alterra, an alien planet that humanity tried and failed to colonize years prior, Subnautica 2 sees you play as a pioneer who must find a way to make the entirely water-covered world a home after your colony ship crashes on its surface while you and your fellow colonists were on your way to a completely different planet. Playable in single-player or in online four-player co-op, you’re tasked with diving beneath the waves in search of resources to survive and build a makeshift base.