Subnautica 2 is now in Early Access, and if you have never played the original games, you might be wondering whether to dive straight into the sequel or spend time with the original Subnautica and Below Zero first. The answer depends on your goals — but if you want the richest possible experience of Subnautica 2, playing the originals provides context, mechanical familiarity, and emotional investment that makes the sequel more rewarding. This guide explains what each original game adds to your Subnautica 2 preparation.
What the Original Subnautica Teaches You
Subnautica (2018) is where the series’ core design philosophy was established. The survival loop — gather resources, build tools, explore further, find the story, go deeper — is expressed in its purest form in the original game. Playing it first teaches you: how the Leviathan threat system works, how base building scales from emergency shelter to a functional ocean city, how to balance food, water, and oxygen management, and crucially, the emotional rhythm of Subnautica’s specific blend of wonder and dread.
The original Subnautica also establishes the Architect (Precursor) civilisation whose technology and history forms the narrative backbone of the entire franchise. Understanding who the Architects are, what they were doing on Planet 4546B, and what happened to them is genuinely enriched by having played the original game. Subnautica 2’s story assumes no prior knowledge, but players who have played the original will find additional layers of meaning in what they encounter.
What Subnautica Below Zero Adds
Below Zero expands the franchise in several ways relevant to Subnautica 2. The temperature mechanic — managing cold exposure alongside oxygen — was introduced in Below Zero and is developed further in Subnautica 2. The co-op groundwork (Below Zero added local co-op in late patches) informs the full co-op implementation in Subnautica 2. Most importantly, Below Zero introduces Marguerit Maida, an original Subnautica survivor whose story continues to inform the franchise’s emotional universe.
Is Playing the Originals Required?
No. Subnautica 2 is designed to be a complete, standalone experience. You do not need to have played either original game to enjoy it. The new world, new characters, and new story are self-contained. However, if you have the time and inclination, playing the original Subnautica in particular will enrich your experience of the sequel in ways that are difficult to fully articulate without spoiling either game. The recommendation: play Subnautica first, then dive into Subnautica 2. Below Zero is worthwhile but less essential as preparation.
Practical Preparation: Skills That Transfer
Beyond narrative context, playing the originals develops practical skills that make Subnautica 2’s early game easier. Specifically: scanner discipline (scanning everything), base building instincts (building early rather than late), Leviathan threat awareness (knowing the audio and visual cues that indicate a nearby Leviathan), and oxygen management habits (always knowing how much air you have and planning your depth accordingly). These mechanical habits from the originals transfer directly to Subnautica 2.
RicardoPlays Subnautica Series
The RicardoPlays – Beyond RTS channel has comprehensive content covering both the original Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero, as well as ongoing Subnautica 2 Early Access coverage. If you want to consume all of the Subnautica content in order before playing, the channel’s playlist organisation makes it easy to follow the series from original game through to the current Subnautica 2 content.