Subnautica's sequel, Subnautica: Below Zero, received its full release on May 14, 2021, following a stay in early access. The game has been warmly received by fans and critics, exemplified by its Metascores ranging between 78 and 84. Consequently, many people will be checking out its predecessor, especially since the original Subnautica released for the Nintendo Switch on the same day.
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Subnautica rose in prominence after word got around about its wonderfully well-designed ocean, in which players are stranded following a crash. In keeping with its "stranded on an alien planet" concept, the survival game doesn't give players too much guidance. Unsurprisingly, this means that new players make numerous mistakes throughout their first adventure. Here are some common ones to avoid.
8 Going Straight For The Aurora
When the player first climbs out of their drop pod, they will notice two things: the enormous ocean that surrounds them, and what remains of the Aurora on which they traveled to planet 4546B. The game doesn't have to spell it that reaching the ship is a key objective. Many players will start crafting a radiation suit as soon as possible and swim over to the ship as soon as it's made. However, this is a fatal error.
Players will soon learn that there's more than just Bladderfish in 4546B's ocean, as numerous Reaper Leviathans surround the area. Even if players are lucky and avoid the terrifying predators, they won't make much progress as they need to craft multiple items before being able to enter the ship. Instead of heading straight for the final goal, players should take some time to learn about their surroundings, build bases, and craft tools to help them survive.
7 Carelessly Venturing Into New Biomes
The Aurora isn't the only section of Subnautica's map that punishes players who venture towards it too soon. The game's map is separated into various biomes. The further and deeper that players travel, the more dangerous creatures and environmental hazards they'll come across.
One biome that players will need to be particularly careful of is Crater Edge. The area surrounds the outside of the map and essentially acts as an extreme invisible wall, as three Ghost Leviathans will surround the players and kill them if they venture too far. Always use caution, and don't get too comfortable exploring the ocean.
6 Traveling Light
With the amount of traveling that players have to do in Subantuica, it's easy to fall into a bad habit of not preparing for each long trip away from the drop pod or a base. However, this can be a game-ending error. All four of the player's health meters can kill them if they deplete, so it's worth always carrying plenty of essential items.
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Players should always carry at least one health pack and bottled water with them to help stave off death. It's also important to eat food before traveling, as most food becomes inedible if not eaten straight away.
5 Not Setting Enough Beacons
Subnautica takes place in a huge open world that is almost entirely underwater, making it very easy to get lost. Consequently, it surprises many people that the game doesn't have a map feature. Instead, players are left with beacons, which will set a waypoint when placed.
This may sound like a convenient alternative. However, these beacons require crafting, making it a pain to possess many of them. Although it may get tedious, it's essential that players carry at least one beacon with them at all times, or they can forget about trying to make their way back to key locations.
4 Odd Base Placement
As players progress through Subnautica's story, they'll soon notice that they have to venture further and further away from their drop pod to collect necessary resources. Thankfully, there's a solution to this, as players can start building bases.
Like many features of Subnautica, players aren't given too much guidance as to how and where to build their base.M any players will simply build their base next to their drop pod, as they know it's a safe area. However, this is a mistake. Players should instead build their bases in far-reaching areas so that they're close to key locations. This way, bases offer a safe spot if players are being chased by a predator or need to stock up on essential resources.
3 Exploring The Aurora's Far Side
This entry is quite simple. If players explore the far side of the Aurora, chances are they'll die. This isn't because of a Crater Edge situation where the game is preventing players from reaching an inaccessible area. Rather, it's simply because numerous Reaper Leviathans congregate around the ship's far side.
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Unfortunately, it's natural to explore the Aurora's far side (the side furthest away from the drop pod) when finally reaching the ship. Many players won't come to the terrifying realization that it's a hotspot for predators before it's too late. Players shouldn't venture there if they want to live.
2 Trying To Fight Leviathans
When players craft the Survival Knife, many believe they'll need it to kill aggressive creatures later in the game. So, when players come across a Reaper or Ghost Leviathan, they may think it's time to pull out their trusty weapon and give it a few swings.
However, this will prove to be a serious mistake. Most of the game's aggressive creatures are extremely hard to kill, so battling them will usually result in an overwhelming defeat. Players should simply escape while they have the chance, instead of entering a hopeless fight.
1 Not Keeping On Top Of Upgrades & Improvements
As anyone who has read this list or played a few hours of Subnautica will have ascertained, planet 4546B's ocean isn't the safest place to go for a swim. This is not only because of the aforementioned Leviathans, but also because of environmental issues such as crush depth.
Thankfully, players can remain one step ahead of what lies beneath. They can craft numerous suits, vehicles, and tools to be prepared for whatever faces them. Despite this, many new players become impatient with the constant crafting and resource collecting and try to risk trips without being suitably prepared. Although this is tempting, it's worth being patient. Ensure that all equipment is upgraded before venturing into a dangerous area, and players can prevent avoidable deaths.