8 Games like Subnautica to Play in 2021 – [Updated List]

In the summer of 2021, a catastrophic event known as the Intersystem Collapse struck the solar system. In just a matter of hours, entire star systems were annihilated, while entire planets collided with each other. The only remaining habitats on habitable planets were on the moons of larger planets, and smaller ones had been lost to space.

The game series ‘Subnautica’ tells the story of the player character, who tries to survive in an alien ocean filled with hostile creatures. Subnautica has already received an impressive number of positive reviews, even though the game was released only in 2018. We believe that this game will become even more popular in the near future.

Subnautica is one of the most popular survival games on Steam, so when it was announced that it would be getting a sequel in 2021, fans went wild! As the game is still in the early stages of development, there are no screenshots or gameplay videos available, but there are some things we already know about the game. The biggest addition to the game is that players will be able to explore the ocean floor, like they did before in the original game. Also, the game is said to be set 60 years after the original, which means that plants will be able to grow on the ocean floor, which is something that was only possible in the original game.

In the gaming business, open world games are popular, but games with a free world setting and survival features have a lot of buzz. Subnautica is a game in which the player assumes the position of an astronaut whose spaceship has landed on an undiscovered planet known as 4546B, and the player is tasked with exploring the planet’s seas. The gameplay and mechanics are thrilling, but sadly, few people are aware of this great work of art. This game was first published for Windows in 2014, and its creators transferred it to Xbox One two years later.

Subnautica received a 10/10 rating on Steam from over 120000 players, and it is without a doubt one of the finest survival games available. However, as we all know, playing anything for hundreds of hours may wear you out and cause your enthusiasm to wane. In order to address this, we’ve compiled a list of the top games similar to Subnautica to play in 2021. Of course, the mechanics and gameplay aren’t exactly the same as in Subnautica, but they’re pretty close. So, without further ado, let’s get down to business with the first game.

Similar Games to Subnautica

Before I begin the list, I’d want to point out that some of these games share Subnautica’s mechanics and gameplay, while others do not. This isn’t to say that these games aren’t distinct, but I’m referring to the narrative, events, objectives, and setting. But I’m certain that if you like Subnautica, you’ll enjoy all of the games listed below. We chose them based on how well they were received by users on Steam and other platforms.

ABZU ABZU ABZU ABZ (2016)

Journey’s artwork director and music composer have created a little game called ABZU, which I find a little difficult to say. This game is not for every gamer since most of them do not like playing such games, but it does have a large fan following. Open-world survival games have been popular for a few years, and many independent developers and small corporations have released them.

This game was first published digitally in 2016, then the makers followed up with a retail edition for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in 2017. There’s a huge open-world area beneath the ocean, ancient ruins, and even monster marine animals to uncover in this game. This open-world title’s gameplay is more than just plunging under the waves; it’s more like a trip. I’m not sure whether it’s a gaming trip or not, but some individuals want to play while others don’t.

This game’s development took place over the course of three years, and a team of thirteen people worked on it. This game, like the last Journey, provides a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere under the water. The player figure, who may or may not be female, may dive anywhere in the sea but can not fly.

Because there are just a few buttons to utilize, such as a ‘Dive’ button, movement, and some interaction buttons to interact with items in the game, the general controls of this game are not too complex. There is a progression system in this game as well, and you may accomplish tasks to unlock new ones, while diving further and deeper into the water to earn points and stars, as well as riding on certain fish. It’s one of the suggested games, along with Subnautica, since they both include an underwater setting.

SPACE ENGINEERS are those who work in space (2019)

When it comes to space games, we all know there are two types. The first is in which you take on the position of a human who lives on Earth and explores other plants, while the second is in which you take on the role of an extraterrestrial who finds our world. The next game on our list is Engineers who work in space, which allows us to play with any of these concepts. Yes, it does seem intriguing to space fans, so let’s take a closer look at what else this game has to offer.

Space Engineer was created by Keen Software House and was first published for PC in 2013. Last year, the creators transferred it to Xbox One, where you can play both the single and multiplayer modes. There are many modes in this game, starting with the “first leap,” in which you learn the game’s fundamental principles and movement. Basic crafting lessons and vehicle combat, which is typical in survival games, are also included in this pre-session. As an engineer battling against an evil company, you may finish the game’s primary narrative.

This game has it all, combining action-adventure elements and learning to survive in various settings, and its gameplay has me captivated. There are many things you may accomplish on your own in this game, such as mining materials and fixing broken or wrecked equipment, but there are still certain limitations.

Stations, small aircraft, and big aircraft are the three kinds of important buildings accessible in this game. Then it’s up to the player: if you put a tiny version of the block, it will turn into a small ship, but if you place a big variant, it will turn into a huge ship. It will become a station if the blocks are arranged in such a manner that they interact with the land’s voxels.

MINECRAFT is a minecraft game (2009)

We’ve done a lot of research in space and visited a few planets, so let’s return to Earth and see what we can find. Minecraft, the third game on our list, is an open-world game, or, to put it another way, a game with an infinite area. This game was originally published as an independent title, but Microsoft subsequently purchased the rights to it.

This game was originally published 10 years ago, but I just played it for the first time in 2019, and I was perplexed as to why it was still worth playing a decade later. When I initially played this game on my PC, I received my answer, and I became hooked to it. Because of its never-ending universe, I believe this game is suitable for individuals of nearly all ages. You will love its mechanics and gameplay. This game was extremely popular a few years ago in the gaming business, not only on YouTube, but also in certain firms’ products.

As I stated before, when this game was first launched in 2009, certain features and modes were unavailable. There were no specific objectives or goals to complete at the time; instead, the game let you to do anything you wanted. There was no Wiki or tutorial for this game at the time, and it was a little difficult to figure out what to do in it, but it nevertheless became popular.

Later on, people discovered that this game includes a mining and crafting system that allows you to create various items and utilize them in your gaming, and this is what contributed to its popularity. Creative Mode, Hardcore Mode, and Survival Mode are the three game modes available. Users get access to all objects and may construct buildings and other structures starting with the creative style. The survival mode places the player alone in an open environment with materials to mine in order to create various items, as well as some in-game opponents.

The tough mode, which is similar to survival but more difficult to play and without a respawn function, is the last mode available. Of course, this game lacks the underwater action of Subnautica, but its open world and survival mode are quite comparable, making it a fantastic alternative.

THE WOODS (2018)

It’s time to shift away from sci-fi games and into a real-world woodland survival game in which you must escape an island. The Woods was published on Microsoft Windows and Sony PlayStation 4 by Endnight Games. Previously, the game was in a four-year beta stage, where you could pay the creator to get access.

Eric LeBlanc, who survived an aircraft accident, is the primary playable character in this game, and he is on a mission to find his lost kid. To survive in the densely wooded terrain, the player must build shelter, weapons, and other things. This game has a widespread and competitive crafting system that you won’t find in other survival games. While playing this game for the first time, you will learn some fundamental motions and mechanics. You will also have to collect some resources in the Forest and create some items for a living.

While there are certain towns in this game where you will encounter some large creatures, this will make your gaming easier, as you will get resources and be able to quickly escape them. In the game, you must cut down trees to create a variety of products that may be utilized later for various purposes.

There is also a day and night system in this game, and you must build traps for various animals in order to get their skin and meat for the player. This game includes a survival guide book with which you may receive tips on how to play the game as shown in the trailer. This game’s inventory system may be accessed at any time, and all of the things you create throughout the game will be stored there.

This game’s visuals are breathtaking, and you’ll probably need some high-end gear to play it. If you’re searching for games that are comparable to Subnautica, I recommend checking it out.

THE LONG AND DARK NIGHT (2014)

This game has a narrative that is quite similar to “The Forest,” except the setting is in an open-world frigid region someplace in Canada. The game was announced in late 2013, however it was only published after a four-year development period. However, an alpha version was published in 2014 and may be seen in the Steam Game Library.

When you initially start playing this game, you’ll be alone in an open area with a wrecked aircraft. The narrative of the aircraft that crashed will be accessible in the game’s story mode, and The Long Night will include five chapters. That is what distinguishes it from all other open-world games, since most of them lack a narrative mode and instead begin with the player. The game was published in 2017 with two narrative chapters, and fans are eagerly awaiting its release to learn more about this amazing game’s plot.

The game’s narrative mode is called Wintermute, and it comes with a cause, namely, “for the aircraft accident.” You may have noticed that creating a narrative for open-world sandbox games is a time-consuming process, but the firm has worked it out as they have published the first two chapters.

This game begins with a tutorial that is situated in a safe zone where you may learn how to play it, but it is still difficult since most people die in it. Because the game is set in the winter, you must gather wood to build a fire and cook food over it, as well as cleanse the water to make it drinkable.

The general principles of this game are intriguing, but they are not identical to those of Subnautica; nevertheless, if you have played similar games previously, you will like this one.

COMPLETELY SATISFACTORY (2019)

We’d evaluated a lot of open-world survival games, and it was starting to grow old. Isn’t that so? If you answered yes, we have something special in store for you. This game takes place in an open world, but instead of crashing aircraft and surviving mechanics, it has a manufacturing simulation. You are dumped upon a planet and must play as an engineer with a set of tools who collects natural resources and utilizes them to construct industries.

Satisfactory’s concept was fantastic and unique, since there are only a few games out there with these features, and it’s one of them. This game was released on March 19, 2019 as early access, and it is currently only accessible on Windows Platform. The game’s engine is Unreal Engine 4, which is well-known for its stunning graphics and aesthetics. Almost everything in this game is presented as a gated unlock system, and you may build more complicated structures as you go. The game’s general principles are not tough, and once you start playing it, you’ll be hooked.

Rocky Desert, Grasslands, Northern Forest, and Dune Desert are some of the choices available to players before they begin playing this game. These four levels also alter the game’s general environment, including resources and other elements. When the player first arrives, it will build a hub or pod out of the spaceship’s shattered pieces, and then the gameplay will begin.

Because of its unique gaming features, this game generated a lot of buzz among players, and within three months of its debut, it had sold over 500,000 copies, which is very impressive for such a game. This game’s principles are quite similar to those of other open-world games, and it’s the ideal match for games like Subnautica.

ASTRONEER is a character in the game ASTRONEER (2019)

SpaceX wants to populate Mars, but we don’t know whether that’ll be feasible, and we’ll be there when it happens. Those who want to colonize Mars before 2024 may attempt Astroneer, which is linked to this scenario in some way. Of course, we’re not going to colonize Mars in this game, but you will have to survive and settle other undiscovered worlds.

System Era Softworks first announced this game in 2016, four years before it was released. There are no set objectives or goals to accomplish in this game, however there are planets where you must perform certain tasks. The game was made available on three distinct platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows. The Unreal Technology 4 engine was utilized to create this game, which provides best-in-class visuals. Most games let players to swap between first-person and third-person perspectives, but this one does not, and you can only utilize TPP.

In this game, the user may navigate using their feet, the rover, or the airplane. This game’s crafting system is amazing and expansive, allowing you to create hundreds of different objects such as airships, rovers, space stations, generators, and solar panels, among other things. Harvesting materials such as aluminum and other metals is required to create things in the game.

As an Astroneer, you’ll need the Landscape Tool to modify the terrain, as well as a backpack with a 3D printer to create various items. In basic words, everything is available in the game to build various structures, and this is what draws players in.

This game is helpful if you have already completed Subnautica and would want to play something different than the competition. There are a few games like Subnautica since survival games are not particularly popular with players, but their business has been rapidly expanding over the last few years.

NO ONE’S SKY (2016)

Humans have long wanted to explore this universe because of the mysteries it holds, but it is impossible owing to its enormous global size. I used to like games where I could pick up a spaceship and go to several worlds at my leisure. Even though it was just a few years ago, there aren’t many games out there with these sorts of concepts and gameplay.

There’s also Hello Games’ No Man’s Sky, which provides a never-ending world with procedurally created planets where you may explore various things. This game was published in 2016 for PlayStation 4 and PC, and in 2018 for Xbox One. Exploration, survival, crafting, and trade are the four main concepts of this game. The game’s creators made certain promises, but they didn’t fulfill them; nevertheless, numerous updates have been published after the game’s debut.

The game didn’t come with multiplayer at first, but after some time, the creators incorporated it, and there are now various modes that enable up to 16 people to play together. Base structures, surface vehicles, space fleet management, and, eventually, VR compatibility are among the additional features added in the upgrades.

The default mode, survival mode, and creative mode are the three modes available in No Man’s Sky. Each mode has its own mechanics and gameplay, which you may choose from based on your preferences.

You’ll find yourself alone on a random planet with a wrecked ship when you initially start the game. You must correct this in order to explore other worlds, and your first hour will be spent learning how to locate materials in-game, create other items with them, and other similar tasks. Finally, due of comparable principles and gameplay, it will always remain at the top of the list of games like Subnautica.

This game was nearly a failure in its early phases, but it has since improved and received major upgrades. People began to play this because the mechanics became much more amazing. After the major upgrades made last year, No Man’s Sky has a very good rating on Steam with over 100,000 users. 

Conclusion

Subnautica is one of the finest games for immersing yourself in the undersea world, and it’s beautiful because to its gameplay and setting. As of now, there are only a few games that provide this kind of gameplay, therefore we’ve compiled a list of games similar to Subnautica that you may enjoy. The ideal game to attempt is ABZU, which has almost identical gameplay mechanics. Aside from that, there are a few additional alternatives to consider.

FAQ

Subnautica is a survival game on PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, and mobile devices which was released on January 26th, 2017. The game is based upon the Twenty-Third Century “Stone Age” setting of the writings of the science-fiction author, Algernon Blackwood. The story takes place in a fictional underwater planet called “Pangaea-15” which is the home of the player character, who builds a base on the planet’s surface, exploring the underground oceans in search of resources.. Read more about free games like subnautica and let us know what you think.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any games similar to Subnautica?

There are many games that are similar to Subnautica. Some of the more popular ones include Sea of Thieves, Ark: Survival Evolved, and Rust.

Is raft better than Subnautica?

I am not sure what you mean by better.

What game is better stranded deep or Subnautica?

Subnautica is a survival game, while stranded deep is an adventure game.