Subnautica 2 is currently the most wished-for game on Steam. But why is that? MeinMMO answers the question.
What kind of game is it? Subnautica 2 is the announced successor to the survival hit Subnautica and its corresponding DLC Subnautica: Below Zero. The Subnautica games take players into the depths of oceans on alien planets. Most of the gameplay occurs below the surface of the sea.
In the first Subnautica game, players crash-land on an alien planet in a huge spaceship. Gradually, it becomes clear that the aliens on the planet are largely extinct. The cause is a virus that has spread throughout the planet.
Players are not only focused on survival but also on finding a cure for the virus, as the protagonist is infected as well. Subnautica is not just a survival game; the depth of the seemingly infinite ocean creates a true horror effect.
How successful is it? Looking at the wishlist ranking on Steam, the first place is quickly clear: Subnautica 2. On SteamDB, the game has over 260,000 followers. But what is the reason for this?
MeinMMO has looked at the many factors that contribute to the desire for Subnautica 2 and provides an assessment.
The Most Wished-for Feature in the Most Wished-for Game: Multiplayer
Subnautica 1 was already a hit with players in its early access state. However, the biggest criticism was that there was no multiplayer. Players could only explore the depths alone, unless they used a mod.
The second part, however, promises this from the start and likely ensures that even more players are looking forward to Subnautica 2 than before.
New Technology, New Gameplay, New Story
The “wow-new” effect is also present in Subnautica 2. After players had only the first part and one DLC to experience survival horror for years, they naturally look forward to something new or “fresh”.
While Subnautica was built on the Unity engine, Subnautica 2 is based on the Unreal Engine 5, which can deliver even more. Additionally, it can be gleaned from the trailer that while the gameplay is broadly the same, it has definitely received an update.
Lastly, Subnautica 2 offers a new world and a new story, the secrets of which await discovery.
Delays and Waiting Times Increase Desire
Often, one wants what one cannot have. Subnautica 1 was released in December 2014, which is 12 years, and thus a long time in which more and more fans have found their way to the franchise, while also giving more room for anticipation. Subnautica 1 has a positive rating of 97% on Steam.
In July 2025, it was announced that Subnautica 2 would be postponed from 2025 to 2026. Developer studio Unknown Worlds announced that the delay is due to the lack of refinement (via unknownworlds.com).
The former developer Charlie Cleveland also remarked during this time on Reddit that Subnautica 2 is allegedly already ready for early access. This stands in stark contrast to the official statement from Unknown Worlds.
This news that the game is essentially playable likely increased the anticipation among upcoming players even more. This inconsistency between the developer studio and the former developer generates attention that leads to even more waiting players.
A DLC That Is Not a Sequel
With the release of Subnautica: Below Zero in 2021, players were excited to explore more within the Subnautica franchise. The DLC received a slightly lower score of 93% positive ratings on Steam compared to the first part.
Negative reviews on Steam mainly criticize the small map and the many land sections when compared to the first part. It was not a sequel to Subnautica, but “only” a DLC. This raises expectations for the second part, which would come with a real upgrade.
An official release date for Subnautica 2 is not yet known. However, it is clear that the game, just like its predecessor, will be released in early access.
When Subnautica 2 is released, Steam might want to check again to see if the servers can handle the influx of players. In September 2025, another highly anticipated game celebrated its release on Steam: Hollow Knight: Silksong, the sequel to Hollow Knight: Hollow Knight: Silksong celebrates its release, but Steam’s servers are down – players receive errors during purchase
