Subnautica 2 doubles down on what made the original a survival classic. Multiplayer co-op, expanded biomes, new submersibles, and the same atmospheric dread that made every dive into the depths feel meaningful. If you’ve explored every reef and want more games that hit the same notes, you’re in the right place.
This list cuts straight to 15 alternatives that genuinely deliver survival crafting, exploration progression, or base-building depth. No filler picks, no “kind of similar” stretches.
Quick Comparison: Top 5 Picks
| # | Game | Co-op | Price | Platforms |
| 1 | Subnautica | No | $29.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 2 | Subnautica: Below Zero | No | $29.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 3 | No Man’s Sky | Yes | $59.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 4 | Raft | Yes (8) | $19.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 5 | Valheim | Yes (10) | $19.99 | PC, Xbox |
1. Subnautica
Why it’s similar
Same underwater survival and exploration systems with resource gathering and base building. The original that started it all.
What makes it unique
Crashed spaceship setting on alien planet 4546B. No combat-first design forces creative exploration and survival.
Key features
- Underwater alien world
- Submarine building progression
- No traditional combat
- 35-hour campaign
Price: $29.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
2. Subnautica: Below Zero
Why it’s similar
Expanded survival gameplay in a frozen setting with story-focused exploration and crafting. The direct expansion.
What makes it unique
Half land, half sea biomes mix exploration types. More narrative focus with voiced protagonist Robin Ayou.
Key features
- Frozen ocean setting
- Voiced protagonist
- Half land/half sea
- Snowfox hover mount
Price: $29.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
3. No Man’s Sky
Why it’s similar
Exploration, crafting, and survival progression with base building and discovery systems. Procedural sci-fi on a galactic scale.
What makes it unique
Procedurally generated universe with 18 quintillion planets. Multiplayer expedition events run as seasonal content.
Key features
- 18 quintillion planets
- Multiplayer expeditions
- Base building
- Continuous free updates
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
4. The Planet Crafter
Why it’s similar
Survival crafting with environmental progression. Base building and resource management drive the loop.
What makes it unique
Terraform an entire planet from barren rock to lush biome. Atmospheric pressure, oxygen, and temperature stats visualize your progress.
Key features
- Planet terraforming
- Atmospheric stats progression
- 4-player co-op
- Frozen Sphere DLC
Price: $24.99 Platforms: PC
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
5. Astroneer
Why it’s similar
Relaxed exploration and crafting systems with base building and co-op gameplay. Family-friendly tone contrasts Subnautica’s dread.
What makes it unique
Terrain-deforming gameplay lets you sculpt planets with your tool. Seven different planets each with unique biomes and resources.
Key features
- Terrain-deforming gameplay
- 7 unique planets
- 4-player co-op
- Cross-platform play
Price: $29.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
6. Grounded
Why it’s similar
Survival crafting in a dangerous environment with exploration and resource gathering. Shrunken backyard adventure.
What makes it unique
Honey I Shrunk The Kids inspired setting. Insects become massive threats and ant colonies form rival factions.
Key features
- Shrunken backyard setting
- Insect-themed survival
- 4-player co-op
- Cross-platform play
Price: $39.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
7. Raft
Why it’s similar
Ocean survival and crafting gameplay with exploration and cooperative progression. Surface-level cousin to Subnautica.
What makes it unique
Start on a tiny raft and gradually expand it into a floating fortress. Hook-and-throw mechanic for grabbing floating debris.
Key features
- Floating base building
- 8-player co-op
- Story-driven exploration
- Shark deterrents
Price: $19.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
8. ARK: Survival Evolved
Why it’s similar
Survival crafting and progression systems with open-world exploration and base building. The dinosaur taming classic.
What makes it unique
Tame and ride over 175 different creatures. Massive 30+ map locations across the franchise.
Key features
- 175+ tameable creatures
- 30+ map locations
- 100-player servers
- ARK: Survival Ascended remaster
Price: $44.99 (Survival Ascended) Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
9. Valheim
Why it’s similar
Exploration-focused survival gameplay with building, crafting, and progression systems. Norse mythology meets survival.
What makes it unique
Norse mythology setting with boss-locked progression tiers. 10-player co-op servers create epic multiplayer raids.
Key features
- Norse mythology setting
- 10-player co-op
- Boss-locked progression
- Procedurally generated worlds
Price: $19.99 Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
10. Forever Skies
Why it’s similar
Sci-fi survival and exploration with resource management in hostile environments. Aerial alternative to underwater survival.
What makes it unique
Airship-based exploration above a toxic Earth. Build your sky-fortress to traverse a post-apocalyptic atmosphere.
Key features
- Airship base building
- Toxic post-apocalyptic Earth
- Solo and co-op modes
- Active development
Price: $24.99 Platforms: PC, PS5
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
11. Breathedge
Why it’s similar
Space survival with crafting systems and humor mixed with exploration gameplay. Tongue-in-cheek alternative to Subnautica’s dread.
What makes it unique
Comedic space survival with an immortal chicken companion. Story-driven with frequent fourth-wall breaks.
Key features
- Space wreckage setting
- Chicken companion
- Comedy-focused writing
- 20-hour campaign
Price: $24.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
12. Satisfactory
Why it’s similar
Exploration and resource automation with large-scale base building systems. Factory-focused alternative to traditional survival.
What makes it unique
1.0 launched in 2024 with full story. Build sprawling factories across an alien planet to escape.
Key features
- Factory automation focus
- 4-player co-op
- 30+ km² map
- Pipe and conveyor systems
Price: $39.99 Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
13. Abiotic Factor
Why it’s similar
Survival crafting in a sci-fi facility with exploration and co-op gameplay. Black Mesa-style setting echoes Subnautica’s research base aesthetic.
What makes it unique
Research facility setting with science-themed crafting. 6-player co-op makes for chaotic disaster scenarios.
Key features
- Sci-fi facility setting
- 6-player co-op
- Half-Life inspired tone
- Active development
Price: $24.99 Platforms: PC
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
14. Planet Nomads
Why it’s similar
Open-world survival and crafting with vehicle building and exploration systems. LEGO-style construction freedom.
What makes it unique
Block-based vehicle construction lets you build trucks, planes, and submarines. Procedural planets each have unique biomes.
Key features
- Block-based vehicle building
- Procedural planets
- First-person construction
- 30-hour campaign
Price: $24.99 Platforms: PC
Where to Buy
Available on Steam.
15. Empyrion – Galactic Survival
Why it’s similar
Sci-fi survival with exploration and building. Crafting and base progression systems mirror Subnautica’s research-station feel.
What makes it unique
Build entire spaceships block by block, then fly them between planets. Mixed PvE and PvP server options.
Key features
- Block-based ship construction
- Interplanetary travel
- Solar system exploration
- PvE/PvP modes
Price: $19.99 Platforms: PC
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
Full Comparison Table
| # | Game | Co-op | Price | Platforms |
| 1 | Subnautica | No | $29.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 2 | Subnautica: Below Zero | No | $29.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 3 | No Man’s Sky | Yes | $59.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 4 | The Planet Crafter | Yes (4) | $24.99 | PC |
| 5 | Astroneer | Yes (4) | $29.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox, Switch |
| 6 | Grounded | Yes (4) | $39.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 7 | Raft | Yes (8) | $19.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 8 | ARK: Survival Evolved | Yes (100) | $44.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox |
| 9 | Valheim | Yes (10) | $19.99 | PC, Xbox |
| 10 | Forever Skies | Yes | $24.99 | PC, PS5 |
| 11 | Breathedge | No | $24.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 12 | Satisfactory | Yes (4) | $39.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox |
| 13 | Abiotic Factor | Yes (6) | $24.99 | PC |
| 14 | Planet Nomads | No | $24.99 | PC |
| 15 | Empyrion – Galactic Survival | Yes | $19.99 | PC |
Conclusion
Subnautica 2 fans have plenty of directions depending on what hooked them. Want more underwater? The original Subnautica and Below Zero are obvious starting points. Craving co-op survival? Valheim, Grounded, and Raft deliver multiplayer chaos. Hungry for space exploration? No Man’s Sky, Empyrion, and Breathedge bring sci-fi survival mechanics.
The survival crafting genre has rarely had this many great options. Pick one based on whether you want underwater dread, dinosaur taming, factory building, or space exploration. Every game on this list earned its spot through real survival craft, not just a “crafting game” tag.
Read More Like This!
15 Games Like Minecraft You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Fallout 4 You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Resident Evil 4 You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Palworld You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Valheim You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Death Stranding You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Oblivion Remastered You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Borderlands 4 You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like The Witcher 3 You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Ghost of Tsushima You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Cyberpunk 2077 You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Directive 8020 You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like ARC Raiders You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like GTA V You Need to Play in 2026