Play it if
You want the most memorable survival exploration game on Steam.
Skip it if
You want to survive together with friends.
Fact sheet
- Players
- Single-player
- Online play
- No
- Cross-play
- No
- Solo
- Single-player only
- Difficulty
- Demanding
- Typical playtime
- ~40 hours
- Steam Deck
- Verified
1The pitch
You wake up in a lifepod on an endless ocean with nothing but a fabricator. Everything you need, from food to the way home, lies below the surface.
2How it plays
Each new tool lets you dive deeper and stay longer: oxygen tanks, scanners, seabases and vehicles. The story unfolds through discoveries rather than quests, and the deep sea is genuinely frightening.
3Where it beats its rival
Against Sons of the Forest it wins on atmosphere, story and sense of discovery. It is the better choice if you want a crafted world to explore alone rather than a sandbox to survive with friends.
4Look & sound
Light fading as you sink, strange creatures and the sounds of the deep make it unforgettable. It also supports VR on PC.
5Setup & value
It lists at $29.99, runs on Windows and macOS and is Verified on Steam Deck. It is single-player only.
Best bits
- Unmatched sense of discovery
- Beautiful and frightening ocean
- Strong story told through the world
- Verified on Steam Deck
Watch out
- No multiplayer
- Some inventory busywork
Score sheet
- Depth 25%
- 94
- Feel 25%
- 92
- Easy to start 15%
- 84
- Replay 20%
- 80
- Value 15%
- 92
94 × 25% + 92 × 25% + 84 × 15% + 80 × 20% + 92 × 15% = 88.90 → 89
The judges' verdict
Verdict
“Subnautica is a modern classic. It wins this rematch with a world that is a joy and a fear to explore.”
By the Bet Compare Guide editorial desk · Updated 20 Oct 2026 · How we score · Report an error
