Update 1.2 has finally arrived for Subnautica 2 and for fans of co-op, the studio has added a variety of highly requested and anticipated features to further improve the game. It's been a lengthy road for Subnautica 2 since it started production back in 2022, marked by a number of controversies, including a very public leadership change and lawsuit. While much of that has since been resolved, the game's Early Access period has been successful already.
The chaotic nature of Subnautica 2's development, which included an attempt by Krafton to fire and replace the CEO and co-founders of Unknown Worlds, hasn't been able to stop the momentum that the Early Access period gained. Launching into Early Access on May 14, Subnautica 2 has continued to gain momentum with new updates, features, selling 1 million copies, and the announcement that the Steam version shattered the previous record for the most played release in 2026, seeing over 460,000 players log in just hours after it became available. However, the launch was just the start as Unknown Worlds continues to build the game out with new updates.
Subnautica Update 1.2 Details
To celebrate the launch of Update 1.2, Subnautica 2 Creative Director Anthony Gallegos revealed all the new features inside the Buddy System patch. Thanks to the previously released Subnautica 2 Early Access roadmap, fans have known Update 1.2 would be focused more on the co-op side of the game. For many, the biggest piece of this update is the addition of Proximity Voice Chat, a popular online feature that allows players to communicate when nearby and then, when further apart, it'll switch to a radio-style voice indicating the players are further out of range. The further the distance away that each player is, the more "strain" is put on the sound to signify the increasing range.
GameRant Quiz
In addition to proxy chat, Gallegos revealed emotes are now in the game, ranging from a variety of emotions, from a simple thumbs up to other expressive actions like clapping, showing frustration, pointing, and more. Inventory Sharing is also live within the Subnautica 2 Early Access period, allowing teammates to view and access each other's inventory. This is valuable for quickly moving items without needing to drop the item and have the other player pick it up. Finally, players can now revive one another out in the world.
via Unknown Worlds Entertainment
Image via Game Rant; Source: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
Image via Unknown Worlds Entertainment
Image via Unknown Worlds Entertainment
However, that isn't all that Unknown Worlds has prepared for this update. Two new playable characters are joining the roster, Grace and Jegna, alongside more suit color options to pick from. More are planned throughout Early Access to further allow players to customize their character. There's also a tracking tag that can be utilized in numerous ways, essentially letting players tag something in the environment to help them find it later. One example shown was adding it to the inventory of a storage crate, keeping an icon of where it is on the HUD. The same can be done for a player who dies while holding one as it will extend the blackbox range much further out than normal. The update also includes a variety of bug fixes and other improvements, including UI-specific enhancements to make crafting and base building more intuitive.
Feedback has been a major component of Early Access so far as Gallegos ended the trailer by thanking fans for their continued support and communication. While fan feedback has identified some smaller issues in Subnautica 2, it has also driven some larger features as well, including a number of additions in Update 1.2. As for what's next, the trailer does tease some bigger content on the horizon, including new biomes, creatures, and story driven moments.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Critics Rec: 60%
- Released
- May 14, 2026
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Language, Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Unknown Worlds Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Krafton
WHERE TO PLAY
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Yes
- Prequel(s)
- Subnautica
- Franchise
- Subnautica
- Number of Players
- 1-4 players
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- Early Access Release
- May 14, 2026
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
