Best Immersive Survival Games Similar to Subnautica’s Depth and Danger
When Subnautica launched, it was more than just another survival game — it was a haunting, beautiful, underwater journey that combined survival mechanics with mystery, tension, and awe. Its alien ocean world, filled with bioluminescent sea creatures, deadly leviathans, and hidden secrets, made it a standout hit in the genre games like subnautica.
But once you've survived the depths of Planet 4546B, what’s next? Thankfully, the gaming world is full of immersive alternatives that scratch that same itch. Whether you're after another underwater experience, a sci-fi world dripping with cyberpunk vibes, or a vast open world begging to be explored, there's something for everyone.
Let’s dive into some of the best Subnautica alternatives available in 2025.
Underwater Survival Games That Rival Subnautica
1. ABZÛ – A Meditative Dive into the Deep
If you loved Subnautica for its gorgeous underwater visuals and calming exploration, ABZÛ is a perfect fit. While it’s not a survival game in the traditional sense (there are no hunger meters or oxygen levels to manage), it offers a deeply emotional journey through the ocean.
Players control a mysterious diver as they swim through coral reefs, ancient ruins, and vibrant sea life. The lack of combat allows for a relaxing experience that still taps into that sense of wonder Subnautica fans crave.
2. Aquanox Deep Descent – Subnautica Meets Submarine Warfare
Taking a more action-oriented approach, Aquanox Deep Descent lets you pilot customizable submarines in an underwater dystopia. Here, players engage in combat, trade, and exploration while managing their vessels.
It may not have Subnautica's serene silence or focus on mystery, but it shares the underwater setting and offers more narrative depth, especially for players looking for combat-driven gameplay under the sea.
3. Barotrauma – Surviving the Depths of Europa
For fans seeking a darker, more chaotic underwater survival experience, Barotrauma delivers. Set on Jupiter’s moon Europa, players manage submarines in hostile waters filled with deadly aliens, system malfunctions, and crew-based tension.
It’s part simulation, part survival horror, and part co-op chaos — ideal for gamers who enjoyed Subnautica’s high-stakes environment but want something even grittier.
Cyberpunk Games That Echo Subnautica’s Sci-Fi Mystery
4. Cyberpunk 2077 – A Vast Techno-Futuristic Playground
Though it trades oceans for neon-lit streets, Cyberpunk 2077 appeals to many Subnautica fans thanks to its rich world-building, deep exploration, and detailed environmental storytelling.
Exploring the back alleys of Night City evokes the same curiosity that kept players diving into Subnautica’s mysterious biomes. If you’re drawn to advanced technology, unknown lore, and a sci-fi world that feels alive, Cyberpunk 2077 is a strong contender.
5. Cloudpunk – A Delivery Job in the Sky
Cloudpunk takes players on a visually stunning ride through a vertically designed cyberpunk city. You play as a delivery driver navigating through layered stories, immersive atmospheres, and complex characters.
Though there’s no direct survival aspect, the exploration and story-heavy gameplay resonate with Subnautica fans who enjoyed uncovering secrets bit by bit.
Exploration Games That Capture the Spirit of Adventure
6. No Man’s Sky – From Ocean to Galaxy
No Man’s Sky is perhaps the most direct spiritual cousin to Subnautica in the exploration genre. What began as a rocky launch has evolved into one of the best exploration-survival games on the market today.
It offers procedurally generated planets, space travel, base-building, crafting, and yes—even underwater worlds to explore. If Subnautica made you curious about alien life, No Man’s Sky lets you live that curiosity across an entire universe.
7. The Long Dark – Survival in a Frozen Wasteland
Trading the ocean for arctic tundra, The Long Dark is another fantastic survival exploration game. It’s slower-paced, with a focus on atmosphere, environmental storytelling, and tension.
While the setting is vastly different, it delivers the same isolation and sense of vulnerability that makes Subnautica so effective. You’ll constantly need to manage resources and carefully plan your moves to avoid dying in the frozen wilderness.
8. Outer Wilds – A Space-Time Mystery
For players drawn to Subnautica’s mysterious narrative, Outer Wilds might be a revelation. You play as a space explorer stuck in a time loop, trying to unravel the fate of a lost civilization by visiting planets and uncovering fragments of history.
The gameplay is built on exploration and discovery, much like Subnautica, but its time-loop mechanic and rich storytelling set it apart.
Bonus: Upcoming Titles to Watch in 2025
9. Under the Waves – A Deep-Sea Story by Quantic Dream
Expected to launch soon, Under the Waves is a narrative-driven underwater adventure set in the North Sea. With a heavy emphasis on emotion, loss, and isolation, it promises a Subnautica-like experience with the narrative depth of a cinematic drama.
The game's trailer showcases stunning visuals, eerie underwater ruins, and a strong focus on atmosphere — making it a top pick for anyone looking for a spiritual successor to Subnautica.
10. Sons of the Forest – The Survival Experience Turned Up
Though it’s set in a dense forest instead of the ocean, Sons of the Forest offers a complex survival system, dynamic enemies, and eerie environments. It appeals to Subnautica fans who enjoyed the tension of exploring unknown spaces and managing resources while avoiding predators.
What Makes These Games Like Subnautica?
While these alternatives differ in genre and setting, they all share core traits that made Subnautica special:
Environmental immersion – Whether underwater, in space, or in a futuristic city, the atmosphere plays a key role.
Survival mechanics – Crafting, managing resources, and planning your actions are crucial in many of these games.
Narrative discovery – Rather than giving you a linear story, most of these games allow you to uncover lore and mysteries through exploration.
Isolation and awe – The best Subnautica alternatives make players feel both tiny and awestruck in vast, alien worlds.
Conclusion: Find Your Next Immersive Experience
Subnautica raised the bar for survival and exploration games by blending storytelling, mystery, and atmosphere in one unforgettable package. But when the ocean has no more secrets left to uncover, it doesn’t mean your journey has to end.