Is Subnautica Below Zero Multiplayer?

Compared to its predecessor, Subnautica: Below Zero immerses players even further underwater, and discovery and survival have always been improved by companionship. Because of this, many gamers might start to wonder if multiplayer is available in the game. 

Regrettably, the answer is more convoluted than it initially appears because Unknown Worlds, the developers of Subnautica, has been exploring multiplayer for a while and has actually issued a public statement about it. Keep reading to learn more about Subnautica Below Zero and whether or not it has multiplayer functionality. 

What Is Subnautica?

Enter a strange underwater world to find resources, creatures, wonders, and threats. While attempting to live, build tools and submarines to traverse luscious reefs, volcanoes, caves, and more.

By combining elements of the survival and exploration genres, Unknown Worlds Entertainment designed and published Subnautica, a first-person video game that takes place in the future on an oceanic undiscovered world.

Early Access for Subnautica began on December 16th, 2014, and the game’s full launch occurred on January 23rd, 2018. The game is accessible on Xbox One, PC, and VR (Steam & Oculus Home).

Subnautica Below Zero

The connection between Subnautica and Subnautica Below Zero can initially be a little perplexing for those who may not be in the know. Officially referred to as a separate extension to the first Subnautica game, Subnautica: Below Zero has subsequently developed a distinct identity as a stand-alone game. 

2018 saw the release of the first deep ocean exploration game from Unknown Worlds, and 2019 saw the launch of Below Zero’s early access on Steam. Below Zero was made available to a completely new player base on May 14th, the day of its formal console release. Sector Zero, the arctic region of Planet 4546B, is where the story’s action is set.

Instead of Ryley Robinson, a new protagonist named Robin Ayou is featured. It happens two years following Ryley Robinson’s planet-wide escape but in a different area. Dive into an icy underwater journey on a foreign planet. Visit Planet 4546B once more to learn the truth about a fatal cover-up. Build shelters, make tools, and explore more of the Subnautica environment to survive.

Differences Between Subnautica & Subnautica Below Zero

Along with other survival aspects, players will also need to watch out for dangers and violent animals when traveling. The cold environment makes the atmosphere harsher and more enigmatic than in the original game. Users will experience less loneliness because of Robin Ayou’s frequent commentary than they experienced in the original game.

More human figures will show up, creating a sense of camaraderie among the users in the strange environment. This narrative has a less strong sense of isolation than Subnautica does, and it has a fantastic conclusion. In the most unlikely locations, Robin will encounter friendship on her trip.

The game will only run around 4K 60 fps on the PS5. Owners of Xbox Series S consoles can still obtain 1080p video at up to 60 frames per second, but not 4K resolution. It’s unknown if there will ever be a compatibility upgrade to make these performance parameters available to Xbox players as well.

Subnautica Below Zero’s improved graphics and frame rate are now only available to PS5 and PC users. The setting of Below Zero is much more intricate and well-polished than the original game, even on consoles from earlier generations. 

More elaborate designs are used while creating objects and creatures which bring the world to life. Since the initial Subnautica started being developed in the early 2010s, the developers have made enormous strides.

Subnautica Difficulty Level

Although it is an option, a battle is typically chosen less frequently than stealth and speed. With a little practice, it is possible to avoid or outrun all but the largest animals. Although there aren’t any deliberate jumpscares in the game, some enemies like Warpers or Crabsnakes can trigger them. 

It takes navigational expertise and careful planning to explore maze-like formations like caves and wrecks without running out of oxygen. Early on, thirst and hunger are major issues, and it could take some time before reliable remedies are found. There are multiple game options available: Hardcore, Survival, Freedom, and Creative.

The player is under no requirements in creative mode. Maintaining oxygen, energy, health, and hull integrity is necessary for freedom mode. The player either respawns inside Lifepod 5 or the last Seabase/Cyclops they visited after dying. Hunger and thirst are added in the survival mode. The only difference between Hardcore and Survival is that Permadeath is present.

Does Subnautica Below Zero Support Multiplayer?

The gist of the answer is that Subnautica Below Zero does not support multiplayer in any way. Except to download updates, gamers don’t even need a connection to the internet to play it. When considering the likelihood of a future multiplayer update, things become a little more in-depth.

Unknown Worlds appears to have last commented on this issue in 2015, during Subnautica’s early access period. The developers made it plain via this comment that the multiplayer function was not a top focus for Subnautica. Unknown Worlds’ priorities at the time were polishing the game, developing the plot, and ensuring a satisfying single-player experience. 

However, it did not completely rule out the idea of cooperative play in a later Subnautica game. Although there is no indication yet on whether or not Subnautica: Below Zero will feature multiplayer, it appears that it hasn’t been completely ruled out.

Final Thoughts

Subnautica Below Zero is a seriously enjoyable game. However, fans will currently only be able to play Subnautica Below Zero alone, but maybe that will be changed in the future. It’s a little disheartening that the console versions’ full releases only allow single player, but anything might change with further upgrades.