Treading Water: Is Subnautica’s Underwater World Worth the Dive? Interview with Kenneth McGovern

Treading Water: Is Subnautica’s Underwater World Worth the Dive? Interview with Kenneth McGovern

Subnautica is a game that drags you beneath the waves, immersing you in an underwater world teeming with both breathtaking beauty and eerie dangers. From its stunningly crafted ocean landscapes to the quiet that lingers in its depths, it’s a game that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. Whether you’re a fan of survival games or simply someone who loves to explore, Subnautica offers an experience that keeps you on your toes while constantly offering something new to discover. 

But does its stunningness make up for the challenges that await? 

Let's dive in and find out.

Created in 2014, Subnautica is an action-adventure horror survival game developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment. It is available to play on Playstation, Xbox, Windows, and Nintendo Switch. The game takes roughly 30 hours to complete the main story. The player plays as the character Ryley Robinson who has just crash landed on an alien oceanic planet he has to explore and survive. There are many obstacles that get in the way of Ryley’s survival and it is up to the player to learn how to survive. 

I played Subnautica once for two hours before quitting. Personally, I couldn’t find the love for the game that many have. In my time playing, I was confused the entire time and had no idea what I was doing. Since then, I haven’t returned to the game because of the sour taste it left in my mouth. Due to this, I called in some back up–Kenneth McGovern–to help me complete a review so we cover the entire game and not just the short time I played. 

McGovern is a close friend of mine who is a video game enthusiast and specifically loves Subnautica. He has played Subnautica for around 70 hours and is a big fan of the game. He walked me through some of his playthroughs and experiences with Subnautica. He clearly sees the spark this game has. 

What was your first experience with Subnautica?

Subnautica first caught my attention back in 2015 through a YouTube video. It’s the environment that initially drew me in. The setting is on an alien ocean that seems both mysterious and beautiful. To me, this was incredibly different from other survival games I played.

What makes Subnautica stand out?

The existential dread it instills in the player. The open ocean stretches endlessly. I can't help but feel uneasy when looking into the distance. The setting is almost entirely underwater, which amplifies the tension. The game’s premise is simple: you're stranded on an alien planet covered by water, and your goal is to escape. How you go about that makes Subnautica unforgettable.

What is most memorable to you?

The most memorable part of the game is my first encounter with the Reaper Leviathan. Even though I had seen much of the game before playing it, the Reaper’s sheer size and the feeling of its presence in the dark water sent chills down my spine. The experience of this moment is only amplified by the setting, where the depths often left me feeling both tiny and vulnerable.

What do you think of the game play mechanics?

Subnautica has a balance between exploration, crafting, and survival. Survival mechanics like managing oxygen, food, and water are important, but they never feel overwhelming. To me, the real challenge lies in navigating the vast underwater world, where you have to pay close attention to your air tank capacity, vehicle depths, and the dangers lurking in the depths.

As far as controls, they are smooth and functional. I personally prefer using the keyboard and mouse for the precision it offers, but both options (controller or keyboard and mouse) are solid. 

What is the environment and exploration like? 

The game’s biomes are perfect, each one has a unique atmosphere. My personal favorite is the Giant Cove Tree in the Lost River biome. The environment around it is really serene and calming, especially due to the fauna that populate the area.  I always explore with a great deal of caution, especially since some areas are incredibly dangerous to navigate at night.

What about the soundtrack and ambient noises?

The music mainly sits in the background but dynamically changes depending on where you are, and what is happening. It also uses small underlying psychological triggers to toy with the player’s emotional state. Which goes hand in hand with the environment itself. Your vision will be restricted in certain areas, certain enemies like to stay just past your field of vision, occasionally entering it to bring you off guard. And some just move around you and attack from behind. Others hide in the sand to ambush, and some even convince you to go closer just to drop the facade and attack. 

What do you think of the narrative and storytelling? 

I think that the game's story was unique for the time it was released and has a very effective way of showing the storyline. Although some aspects of it dont make too much sense, as the story implies you have to move quickly to solve some problems, but the time that passes is actually irrelevant. 

I also think that the progression was designed in a way to fit the game extremely well, given the way that the game is played. You are given locations to visit, that you need to find a way to get to yourself, by yourself, and for yourself. The game being on an alien planet does not affect the progression too significantly. 

How difficult would you say Subnautica is?

Subnautica, despite how it is described, really isn't a hard game. I would say that most new players could beat the game with only one or two deaths due to simple matters like suffocation or generally doing something they shouldn’t be doing at the time. The game even outright questions you when you go into one area if whatever you are doing is worth it. 

What is the art style like?

The game has a very unique artstyle, with most Fauna having some form of bioluminescence. Every living that was made with real concepts in mind, with some simply taken to the extreme. Each creature was thought out and was made to seem like it could really exist under certain circumstances.

Would you replay Subnautica?

Nostalgia gets me to start a new playthrough, the game being fun to play and a nice and entertaining time keeps me playing to the end despite how I know how everything will occur. 

What is your advice for new players? Would you recommend Subnautica?

My advice would be: don't worry about what could be there, just jump in and have fun.  

Would I recommend Subnautica? Absolutely. It is a great game with unforgettable experiences locked with it. 

———

While my personal experience with Subnautica wasn’t the best, McGovern may have managed to convince me to go back and give the game another chance. Subnautica is a game that is vast and captivating with something for everyone. 

Subnautica 2 is set to come out sometime in 2025, making now the perfect time to give Subnautica a play.