If you’ve ever been captivated by Subnautica’s hauntingly beautiful depths—where survival hinges on scavenging resources, dodging leviathans, and unraveling alien mysteries—you’re probably craving more games like Subnautica to sink your teeth into. Fear not, fellow adventurer! Whether you’re chasing the adrenaline of underwater survival, the thrill of open-world exploration, or the satisfaction of base-building in hostile environments, we’ve rounded up the best alternatives to fuel your next obsession. Grab your oxygen tank and let’s dive in!
What Makes Games Like Subnautica So Unforgettable?
Games like Subnautica hook players with their unique blend of tension, creativity, and discovery. Here’s what sets them apart:
- Survival Mechanics: Balancing oxygen, hunger, and sanity while crafting tools to stay alive.
- Open-World Exploration: Uncharted territories begging to be mapped, from coral reefs to alien planets.
- Immersive Environments: Ecosystems that feel alive—whether you’re swimming through bioluminescent caves or trekking a toxic rainforest.
- Base-Building: Creating safe havens (or lavish underwater mansions) to weather storms and store loot.
- Environmental Storytelling: Unraveling lore through hidden logs, eerie ruins, and the occasional skeleton clutching a coffee mug.
Ready to plunge into new worlds? Here are the best survival exploration games to try next.
9 Games like Subnautica for Survival and Exploration Adventures
1. The Forest
Imagine Subnautica—but swap the ocean for a creepy, mutant-infested forest. After a plane crash, you’ll scavenge resources, build shelters, and fend off cannibalistic horrors lurking in the shadows. The game’s tense atmosphere and cryptic story (told through scattered clues) make it a must-play for fans of survival crafting games who don’t mind a side of nightmares.
- Released: 2018 | Platforms: PC, PS4
- Perfect For: Players who love Subnautica’s mystery but crave land-based terror.
2. Subnautica: Below Zero
Why leave Planet 4546B when there’s more to explore? Below Zero cranks up the chill (literally) with icy biomes, new creatures, and a story-driven quest to uncover your sister’s fate. It’s Subnautica with frostier stakes—perfect for players who want base-building survival with a fresh, frigid twist.
- Released: 2021 | Platforms: PC, PS, Xbox, Switch
- Don’t Miss: Pengwings. They’re adorable. Also, maybe don’t pet the ice worms.
3. No Man’s Sky
If Subnautica’s ocean feels too small, No Man’s Sky lets you dive into infinite alien worlds. Swim through underwater caves on toxic planets, build bases atop floating rocks, or adopt a robotic dinosaur as a pet. With constant updates (yes, it’s awesome now), this open-world exploration gem is a universe-sized playground for curiosity.
- Released: 2016 | Platforms: PC, PS, Xbox, Switch
- Why Play: For the sheer joy of shouting “WHAT IS THAT?!” at every new planet.
4. Raft
Trade Subnautica’s submarines for a rickety raft in this charming survival sim. Scoop up floating debris, expand your vessel, and fish—or fight—sharks while sailing toward mysterious islands. With co-op mode, it’s a laid-back take on survival mechanics best enjoyed with friends (and a stockpile of grilled potatoes).
- Released: 2022 | Platforms: PC
- Pro Tip: Naming your raft “Unsinkable II” may jinx it.
5. Green Hell
Swap Subnautica’s ocean for the Amazon’s deadly embrace. In Green Hell, every scratch, bite, or hallucination could spell doom. Cure infections, build treehouse hideouts, and uncover a story as thick as the jungle itself. It’s survival realism at its most brutal—ideal for masochists who thought Subnautica was “too relaxing.”
- Released: 2019 | Platforms: PC, PS, Xbox, Switch
- Watch Out: The spiders. Oh god, the spiders.
6. Stranded Deep
This is Cast Away: The Game, minus Wilson (unless you craft him yourself). After a plane crash, you’ll island-hop, spearfish, and dodge sharks while unraveling the archipelago’s secrets. It’s Subnautica’s sun-soaked cousin—less story, more open-world survival vibes.
- Released: 2020 | Platforms: PC, PS, Xbox
- Fun Fact: You can build a raft mansion. Because why not?
7. Astroneer
If Subnautica’s stress made you crave a zen garden, try Astroneer. Sculpt alien terrains, build lunar bases, and zip between planets with a jetpack. There’s no permadeath, just cozy vibes and creative survival for players who want to unwind.
- Released: 2019 | Platforms: PC, PS, Xbox, Switch
- Chill Factor: 10/10. The only threat here is your own curiosity.
8. Abzu
Subnautica without the thalassophobia. Abzu is a meditative dive through vibrant reefs and ancient ruins, where you’ll swim with whales and solve light puzzles. No hunger bars, no oxygen meters—just pure, awe-inspiring underwater exploration.
- Released: 2016 | Platforms: PC, PS, Xbox, Switch
- Best Enjoyed: With a cup of tea and zero urgency.
9. Breathedge
Subnautica meets Deadpool in this absurd space survival romp. After your spaceship explodes, you’ll craft tools from space junk, outrun killer robots, and uncover a conspiracy involving… sentient chickens? It’s survival comedy gold for players who like laughs with their loot.
- Released: 2021 | Platforms: PC, PS, Xbox, Switch
- Don’t Skip: The chicken dialogue. Trust us.
Your Next Survival Obsession Awaits
Whether you’re craving underwater survival games with alien mysteries (Below Zero), open-world exploration across galaxies (No Man’s Sky), or base-building survival with a side of dark humor (Breathedge), these games like Subnautica promise endless adventure. Each title offers a unique spin on the genre—so pick your poison, sharpen your survival instincts, and dive in.
Just remember: Save often. The ocean (or jungle, or space) is not your friend.
