Splendid sopping survival sim Subnautica is off to an icy ocean in a standalone enlargement named Below Zero, builders Unknown Worlds Entertainment introduced at present. This was as soon as talked about as DLC however naw it’ll now be its personal separate factor, getting into early entry “in the coming months”. UWE are preserving comparatively quiet for now, displaying just a few ideas for brand new alien oceanlife whereas muttering “We’re still in early stages and nothing is set in ice”. That mentioned, of us who don’t thoughts spoilers or potential disappointment can comply with their public dev board to see all of the wonders and horrors which will make it in. I’ve had a peek and ooooh!
“Set in an ice-bound region of planet 4546B, after the events of the original game, Below Zero will offer a new chapter in the Subnautica universe,” Unknown Worlds say on the expansion’s website.
That web page contains idea artwork displaying much more of the floor than the unique Subnautica, with a Prawn mechsuit wandering throughout a glacier, a hovercraft whooshing between icy spires, and a sub surfacing in a frozen canyon. There’s lots underwater nonetheless, thoughts, together with ‘brinicles’ trapping critters and one thing large and terrible with bioluminescent tentacles.
The devs say they plan to work on Below Zero in a lot the identical manner as plain ol’ Subnautica, utilizing early entry to determine what works and constructing it up throughout content material updates forward of a full launch. Subnautica’s early entry was grand so certain, go wild, I belief you.
To briefly step again to the world of standard Subnautica earlier than ploughing into potential spoilers, that’s quickly to obtain an engine upgrade as a side-effect of the upcoming console launch. That ought to deliver higher efficiency and higher controller assist, and now you can decide right into a public beta department when you’re too impatient to attend for the complete launch.
Back to Below Zero and the leagues of issues that individuals won’t wish to examine now in the event that they want to uncover every part for themselves whereas exploring the ocean. The Below Zero development board on Trello reveals loads of issues they’ve been engaged on, which can not make it into the ultimate game or could also be modified however do give thrilling seems to be on the kind of concepts they’re throwing round.
Check out the 3D model for this weird fish, which I assume spins like a Catherine wheel? Become overconfident the hoverbike. Be happy with these pretty lily pads. Be delighted by how this adorable fish sounds prefer it’s most likely a proper git to satisfy. Don’t even ask what a ‘squidshark‘ is. Want to satisfy the ‘glowwhale’. Feel drawn to placing your hand by the ‘holefish’. Fight the urge to feed crackers into this beak. Coo over this colourful ceature. And, most significantly, oh my god these penguins. Do dive into the Trello board when you fancy extra hints and fairly issues.
Having swum in icy waters a variety of occasions myself, I sit up for boldly declaring “This can’t be so bad” and leaping into the alien iceocean with simply my cossie then immediately dying. For now, do learn our Subnautica review for a reminder of why that is all thrilling – and do buff up on the temperature chart:
