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Since its release, Subnautica has captivated players with its thrilling underwater survival mechanics, immersive open-world design, and deeply atmospheric gameplay. Whether you're scavenging the ocean floor, dodging alien sea creatures, or crafting a base beneath the waves, Subnautica offers a unique blend of exploration, survival, and narrative mystery games like subnautica.

But what if you’ve completed the game or want a different spin on similar gameplay elements? Fortunately, the gaming world is full of titles that echo Subnautica’s magic—some with deep-sea exploration, others with sci-fi cyberpunk vibes, and many that emphasize open-ended exploration and survival. Below, we dive deep into some of the finest alternatives to Subnautica, across several genres.

Underwater Survival Games Like Subnautica

1. Aquanox Deep Descent

Set in a post-apocalyptic underwater world, Aquanox Deep Descent puts players in control of customizable submarines navigating through a submerged Earth. While its combat focus sets it apart from Subnautica’s mostly passive experience, the underwater environment, resource management, and mission-driven gameplay make it a great alternative.

You’ll explore sunken cities, fight off enemies, and upgrade your sub to better handle the dangerous aquatic world—a perfect fit for fans craving action under the sea.

2. Barotrauma

For players who enjoy the tension of surviving in hostile underwater environments with added complexity, Barotrauma is a standout. This 2D co-op submarine simulator has you managing a crew on a sub navigating the icy moon of Europa. It mixes teamwork, horror, and sci-fi beautifully. The emphasis here is more on simulation and team coordination, with alien threats, resource scarcity, and complex systems that need constant attention.

While Barotrauma lacks the open-world serenity of Subnautica, it compensates with intensity and deep multiplayer gameplay.

3. ABZÛ

ABZÛ is more of a spiritual cousin to Subnautica. This exploration-focused underwater game strips away the survival mechanics and combat to deliver a relaxing, artistic journey. Players explore beautiful oceanic biomes, interact with sea life, and uncover ancient ruins—all accompanied by a mesmerizing soundtrack.

If what you loved most about Subnautica was the peaceful underwater exploration, ABZÛ is a poetic and meditative alternative.

Cyberpunk Exploration Games With Subnautica Vibes

While Subnautica isn’t a cyberpunk game by genre, it shares many themes with the best cyberpunk games—especially the idea of being isolated in a high-tech, alien world. Here are some games that scratch that itch:

4. The Invincible

Based on a novel by famed Polish author Stanisław Lem, The Invincible is a hard sci-fi exploration game set on a strange planet. While not underwater, it shares Subnautica’s isolated survival feel and a mystery-driven story. The game focuses on uncovering secrets, analyzing alien ecosystems, and unraveling a complex narrative.

It’s perfect for fans of cerebral sci-fi and environmental storytelling, with stunning visuals and philosophical undertones.

5. Cloudpunk

If you’re drawn to Subnautica’s aesthetic and atmosphere, Cloudpunk offers a different but equally immersive experience. Set in a neon-soaked cyberpunk city, you play as a delivery driver navigating a vertical open world by flying car. The narrative unfolds through your interactions with quirky characters and corporate secrets.

Though not a survival game, Cloudpunk excels in ambiance and discovery—core elements that Subnautica players often appreciate.

6. The Red Solstice 2: Survivors

This tactical survival game isn’t cyberpunk in the traditional sense, but it has cybernetic enhancements, high-tech gear, and a gritty sci-fi world. You lead a squad in a fight against mutant threats on Mars, manage survival resources, and unlock tech. For players who like the tech-meets-survival side of Subnautica, this is a high-octane alternative.

Exploration-Focused Survival Games

Exploration is at the heart of Subnautica. The sense of discovery—finding new biomes, scanning unfamiliar creatures, and building in uncharted territory—is deeply satisfying. Here are some top games that capture that exploratory thrill:

7. No Man’s Sky

Initially controversial, No Man’s Sky has undergone a dramatic transformation and now stands as one of the most feature-rich exploration games ever made. You traverse endless planets, mine resources, construct bases, and encounter bizarre alien lifeforms. The ocean biomes are especially reminiscent of Subnautica and include underwater buildings, submarine vehicles, and deep-sea creatures.

No Man’s Sky matches Subnautica in its emphasis on exploration, mystery, and survival but expands it to a galactic scale.

8. Green Hell

Set in the Amazon rainforest, Green Hell trades ocean depths for jungle density. It’s a hardcore survival sim with real-world crafting, disease systems, and mental health mechanics. Like Subnautica, you start with nothing and must learn to adapt to an unfamiliar, dangerous environment.

The exploration and base-building elements in Green Hell are deeply satisfying, though the learning curve is steeper than in Subnautica.

9. The Forest / Sons of the Forest

Both games in The Forest series are must-plays for Subnautica fans. You survive a plane crash, build shelters, and deal with cannibalistic mutants. The open-world survival gameplay, coupled with a mysterious, slowly unfolding story, mirrors Subnautica’s approach.

Sons of the Forest, the more recent installment, improves graphics, enemy AI, and adds companions like Kelvin—who can help build and gather for you, adding new strategy layers.

Indie Gems Worth Discovering

10. Raft

Like Subnautica, Raft starts you with almost nothing. You’re floating in the middle of an ocean, building a floating base out of debris. As you collect items, dive into the sea, and fend off sharks, you slowly transform your tiny raft into a floating fortress. Exploration expands to mysterious islands and underwater facilities.

Raft captures Subnautica’s core loop of gathering, building, and surviving, but with a co-op option and a brighter aesthetic.

11. Starbound

This 2D side-scrolling sandbox game mixes pixel art with deep planetary exploration. You can dig, build, fight, and travel to procedurally generated planets, each with its own ecosystem and secrets. It’s not underwater-focused, but it shares Subnautica’s joy of discovery and base construction.

For fans of indie creativity and pixel-art charm, Starbound is a captivating alternative.

12. Below Zero

Of course, no list would be complete without mentioning Subnautica: Below Zero, the sequel to the original game. It offers new biomes, a voiced protagonist, and additional narrative depth. While it retains many mechanics from the first game, the snowy, arctic setting changes the dynamics significantly.

If you haven’t played Below Zero yet, it’s the most direct alternative to Subnautica—and a true continuation of its spirit.

Conclusion: Finding Your Next Adventure

Whether you're drawn to the mystery of the ocean, the sleek future of cyberpunk worlds, or the rugged survival challenges of alien landscapes, there are plenty of games that carry the torch of Subnautica. From underwater combat simulators to sci-fi epics and jungle survival experiences, these alternatives provide new ways to explore, survive, and uncover hidden worlds.