Subnautica 2: uncertainty over combat and developer reactions
Intelligence Summary
- Subnautica 2 has drawn mixed reactions after launch, with questions about combat systems and promises of improvements from the developer.
Subnautica 2: uncertainty over combat and developer reactions
With the recent release of Subnautica 2 by developer Unknown Worlds, player reactions have been mixed. While the game launched in early access a few days ago, players have raised questions about the combat systems, or lack thereof, and a notable comment from a developer has sparked discussion.
Combat and defense in Subnautica 2
One of the main concerns among fans is that Subnautica 2 does not offer adequate ways to defend against dangerous sea creatures. In the first game in the series, there were more options, but in the latest release players can only scare off enemies with a flare. That has led to frustration, with calls for a wider range of defensive and offensive tools.
Developer response
The situation escalated when a member of the development team posted on the game’s Discord: "We are not a killing game. Go play Sons of the Forest or something if you want to fight." The comment did not go over well with the community, prompting an open letter from Unknown Worlds apologizing for the response. The developer acknowledged that players felt "ignored" or "dismissed" by the remark.
Future improvements
Unknown Worlds has also said the developers understand that the desire for offensive abilities often stems from other mechanics not working properly. They have promised to revisit the gameplay and have already outlined improvements, including adjustments to creature aggression, better effectiveness for the flare and Survival Tool, and creature interactions with vehicles and bases.
Timeline
2026-05-21: Unknown Worlds apologizes for a developer’s response about the lack of combat in Subnautica 2.
2026-05-20: Subnautica 2 launches in early access, promising new discoveries in the underwater world.
2026-05-15: Discussion breaks out among players over the lack of direct confrontation with hostile sea creatures.
It seems there is still a lot of work ahead for Unknown Worlds to process community feedback and improve the Subnautica 2 experience. The developer has said it is committed to listening to player requests, which could result in a more immersive game in the future.
For now, the game remains successful, with more than 2 million sales in the first 12 hours of early access, despite the controversy surrounding development and its relationship with former publisher Krafton.
