Subnautica 2 Cinematic Trailer: What You Missed

With the newest Subnautica 2 trailer dropping, eager players now have a bunch of content to dissect amongst themselves, trying to find any hints or clues pointing to new additions in the game. The main discussions focus on new mechanics, quests, and milestones, without losing the core sense of fear of the unknown that makes the Subnautica games what they are. Players will also now be able to choose between a selection of models to alter their appearance. Thanks to Unreal Engine 5, we can expect the graphics to be even more stunning than they already were.

It's fair to say that Subnautica 2 players are fearless thrill seekers, exploring the dark depths alongside some of the biggest, nastiest creatures you have ever seen. Always craving those classic jump scares and looming moments of fear, watching shadows in the distance grow closer. So, without further ado, here are some things you might have missed during the height of the excitement while watching that can make your anticipation for the release grow even more.

Subnautica 2 enters early access on May 14, 2026. It will be available on Xbox through Game Preview and Steam.

The Haul Chassis

Is Loot Or Life More Valuable?

If you caught that mysterious new structure in the Subnautica 2 trailer and wondered what it was, you’re not alone. Lead developer Anthony Gallego has confirmed it’s actually a haul chassis. This handy addition lets you stash extra resources and haul them around, or even use it as a mobile safe zone for your crew. Before this reveal, I was convinced it was a brand-new submarine, and I know I wasn’t the only one hoping for a vehicle that could finally outdo the Cyclops when it comes to carrying loot.

Players are speculating that different hulls and upgrades might become available for the submarine, potentially increasing storage space or allowing more players to contribute during gameplay. The haul chassis might also serve as an escape pod, provided one player is designated as the getaway driver, offering additional strategies for escaping danger in a dive suit.

Reaper Leviathan Decoration

Exclusive Players Only

If you suffer from FOMO, then listen up, players. As a bunch of new content drops with Subnautica 2, something special is also available for those who crave exclusivity and rarity: A placeable Reaper Leviathan figure will be granted to all players who purchase the game during the first week of early access. The decoration can be placed on your submarine's dashboard, or perhaps you would prefer to keep it in the medical room as a reminder to recovering teammates of why they need to come prepared for boss fights.

Of course, this is an awesome tactic from Unknown World to get as many players on the early access version as possible. I know that I don't want to miss out on having my very own ultimate danger noodle. And if you're playing multiplayer, you can flex to your crew that you are just that little bit better than them.

Official Multiplayer Mode That Is Separate From The Single-Player Portion

You Must Trust Your Crew With Your Life

One of the biggest wishes from the community is finally coming true: multiplayer is officially confirmed! In Subnautica 2, you’ll be able to team up with up to three friends and explore the depths together in a shared submarine. Reducing fear by sharing laughs when a Leviathan sends your crew flying. Of course, if you’re more of a lone wolf, solo mode is still there for you, too.

Confirmed by the devs, the multiplayer mode, built from scratch, was made separately to protect the solo Subnautica 2 experience. For those like me who dread solo diving into a thalassophobic nightmare, this is perfect. Splitting tasks between crew members could become a new meta, with one player navigating while others are managing resources. Forming a reliable team could greatly increase our odds in encounters with the enemy. And I wonder how in-game communication will work, underwater? I am hoping for a proximity chat, as I know it will create some hilarious moments during intense trips, and hopefully, walkie-talkies for longer-distance communication. Maybe that is something that could be upgraded, too.

New Planet

Is Your Name Zizora?

Fans will be thrilled that Subnautica 2 brings an all-new world, rumored to be called Zizora. Even veteran players will feel a fresh fear as they explore the unknown. Several new biomes offer distinct predators, resources, and secrets. One biome that has players talking is the Luminous Fissures, a network of underwater canyons illuminated by fluorescent seaweed and crystals. The water seems to shimmer, but don't let that distract you from what is lurking below. For fans who love scanning new creatures and seeing how the environment impacts gameplay, the Luminous Fissures promise to be a showstopper.

Of course, an all-new planet means one more thing: new threats. Life forms here are different, and perhaps they don't live like those back on planet 4546b. Energy may come from geothermal sources rather than the sun, which means you'll need to do some research if you plan to take the beasts down successfully. The environment also appears to be acting strangely; underwater tornado-like structures seem to pull players down to the ocean floor at high speed. A truly terrifying experience, even if it is just on a screen. The truth is, there is going to be new everything, so if you're looking for something familiar, maybe it's best to play with a friend, or 3.

New Leviathan

Don't Hold Your Breath On Surviving This One

The new trailer gave us a glimpse of what might be the smartest and creepiest Leviathan yet. This towering, worm-like beast has eyeballs inside its clam-like mouth, and a lot of players are comparing it to a bobbit worm. I have to say, this is easily the most alien creature I’ve seen in Subnautica so far. Watching it gave me chills. So creepy!

Online discussions of this creature have players speculating that something of this scale must have very valuable treasures hidden away, or that the eyes in its mouth can be collected as gems. Evolved by darkness in the unfamiliar depths of Subnautica 2, a fair guess is that this creature sits with its mouth open just wide enough for something to foolishly swim inside. Then, with the help of its ‘mouth eyes’, it snaps its jaw shut on whoever was unfortunate enough to be inside. I can't imagine anything worse than coming into contact with this thing while you can barely already see anything and are running out of oxygen.

What You Get In Early Access

Have Your Say

Unknown World is known for listening to the community, so it’s no shock that Subnautica 2 is launching in early access on May 14th for about $29.99. You’ll get roughly an hour of main story, which is perfect for getting a taste of the new mechanics, graphics, and world. Heads up, though: unlike the first game, early access won’t be available for Mac users this time around.

The devs are paying close attention to what players want, especially the most common requests. That way, they can focus on the features that will make the biggest difference for everyone. If you’re excited about Subnautica 2 like I am, jump into early access and let them know what you think! Have you spotted something in the trailer I missed?