Info about Subnautica: Official game description: Subnautica is an underwater adventure game set on an alien ocean planet. A massive, open world full of wonder and peril awaits you! Dive Into a Vast Underwater World --------------------------------- You have crash-landed on an alien ocean world, and the only way to go is down. Subnautica's oceans range from sun drenched shallow coral reefs to treacherous deep-sea trenches, lava fields, and bio-luminescent underwater rivers. Manage your oxygen supply as you explore kelp forests, plateaus, reefs, and winding cave systems. The water teems with life: Some of it helpful, much of it harmful. Scavenge, Craft, and Survive ---------------------------- After crash landing in your Life Pod, the clock is ticking to find water, food, and to develop the equipment you need to explore. Collect resources from the ocean around you. Craft diving gear, lights, habitat modules, and submersibles. Venture deeper and further form to find rarer resources, allowing you to craft more advanced items. Construct Underwater Habitats ----------------------------- Build bases on the sea floor. Choose layouts and components, and manage hull-integrity as depth and pressure increase. Use your base to store resources, park vehicles, and replenish oxygen supplies as you explore the vast ocean. Unravel the Mystery ------------------- What happened to this planet? Signs abound that something is not right. What caused you to crash? What is infecting the sea life? Who built the mysterious structures scattered around the ocean? Can you find a way to make it off the planet alive? Disrupt the Food Chain ---------------------- The ocean teems with life: Use the ecosystem to help you. Lure and distract a threatening creature with a fresh fish, or simply swim as fast as you can to avoid gnashing jaws of roaming predators. Handle the Pressure ------------------- Build a Pressure Re-Active Waterproof Nanosuit, or PRAWN Suit, and explore extreme depth and heat. Modify the suit with mining drills, torpedo launchers, propulsion cannons, grappling hooks and more. Fear the Night -------------- As the sun goes down, the predators come out. The ocean is unforgiving of those caught unprepared in the darkness. Areas that are safe to explore during the day become treacherous at night, but also reveal a beauty that those who hide from the darkness will never see. Dive Below the Ocean Floor -------------------------- Cave systems wind below the sea bed, from dark claustrophobic passages to caverns lit by bio-luminescent life and burning-hot lava flows. Explore the world below the ocean floor, but watch your oxygen levels, and take care to avoid the threats lurking in the darkness. About the Development Team -------------------------- Subnautica is being created by Unknown Worlds, a small studio founded by Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire that traces its roots back to the 2003 Half-Life mod Natural Selection. The team is scattered around the globe, from the United States to the United Kingdom, France, the Czech Republic, Russia, Thailand, Australia, and many more places. There is a central office in San Francisco, California that serves as home base for the whole team. Warning ------- This game contains flashing lights that may make it unsuitable for people with photosensitive epilepsy or other photosensitive conditions. Player discretion is advised. Release date: Jan 23, 2018 Categories: Survival, Exploration, Base Building, Crafting, Open-World, Story-driven Gameplay, Resource Management, Survival Horror Feature scans: - Wiki: score 10; verdict: High Dependency on External Resources; summary: The analysis of user feedback for 'Wiki Tax' reveals significant issues related to navigation, lack of in-game guidance, and a heavy reliance on external resources like wikis and guides. Many users express frustration with the game's insufficient map details and the need to search for information online to progress. However, some users appreciate the lack of handholding as it enhances the exploration experience. The primary complaints fall under the need for external data to navigate and understand game mechanics, indicating a substantial dependency on external resources for a satisfactory gaming experience. - Proton/Linux: score 10; verdict: Works Well; summary: Subnautica generally runs well on Linux devices, including older hardware and handheld devices like the Steam Deck. While there are some reports of graphical issues such as stuttering and color problems, these do not significantly detract from the overall positive experience. Proton compatibility is reported to be flawless, with no major crashes or freezes, indicating a stable and enjoyable gaming experience on Linux. - Steam Deck: score 40; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: Subnautica generally receives positive feedback for its performance and compatibility on the Steam Deck and other Linux devices. However, there are notable issues with FPS drops in mega bases, battery drain, and occasional crashes. The lack of auto-save feature is also a concern for some users. - Hardware Profile: - Summary: The game generally performs well across most hardware cohorts, with high-end systems experiencing smooth gameplay and lower-end systems facing some performance issues. The majority of players report positive experiences, especially on systems with higher VRAM and RAM. - Sample size: 1005 (16% coverage) - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based. - Windows <8GB VRAM / <16GB RAM (positive, 433 reports): The game runs well on this hardware, with some players experiencing stable frame rates and good performance even on lower-end systems. - Windows <8GB VRAM / 16-31GB RAM (positive, 179 reports): Players report mostly smooth performance with high frame rates, though some experience occasional FPS drops. - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (positive, 147 reports): The game runs exceptionally well on this hardware, with high frame rates and smooth performance. - Windows 8-11GB VRAM / 16-31GB RAM (mixed, 101 reports): Performance is generally good, but some players report stuttering issues and performance problems on AMD GPUs. - Windows 16GB+ VRAM (positive, 46 reports): The game is well-optimized and runs smoothly with very high frame rates on high-end systems. - Linux / Proton 8-11GB VRAM (positive, 11 reports): The game runs without crashes and with a significant amount of content. - Caveats: 1005 of 6284 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based. Feature extractions: - Community Price: - Community fair range: $10.00 - $20.00 - Reasoning: The evidence shows that users consistently mention the game being worth it, especially when purchased on sale. The sentiment suggests that while the game is highly valued, the community often waits for discounts to buy it, indicating a perceived fair price lower than the full price. The repeated mentions of purchasing during sales and the positive experiences associated with those purchases support a fair price range that is attractive during discounts. - Playtime Metrics: - Game completion: 50.0h - Story completion: 25.0h - Session length: N/A - Endgame: N/A - Reasoning: The evidence provides several direct mentions of playtime metrics. The first quote mentions a total playtime of 50 hours to complete the game and its achievements, suggesting a comprehensive playthrough including post-story content. The second quote indicates a typical range of 20-30 hours for the game's runtime, which aligns with the story completion time. The third quote supports the idea of a longer playtime, with 30 hours in and still more to go, implying a total playtime exceeding 30 hours for full completion. The fourth quote mentions finishing the game in 33 hours at a slow pace, reinforcing the idea of a 30-hour playtime for a more thorough experience. - Time-to-fun: - Summary: Subnautica starts slow and confusing but becomes highly addictive after a few hours of gameplay, particularly when players unlock faster transportation and base-building capabilities. The progression and pacing are well-designed, encouraging exploration and construction. - Stance: Fun after initial learning curve - Anchor: Unlocking faster transportation and base-building - Time to anchor: 2h 0m - Friction: Confusing and slow start; Lack of clear direction or progression; Tedious resource gathering in later stages; High risk of death in early game - Unlock drivers: Access to faster transportation; Ability to build bases; Exploration and discovery of new areas and items - Conditions: Playing with friends using multiplayer mods; Choosing appropriate difficulty levels; Engaging with creature interactions and base building; Exploring intimidating areas for progression - Player Archetypes: - Exploration Enthusiast (buy) - Motivation: Discovery and exploration of the underwater world. - Playstyle: Explores thoroughly, enjoys uncovering the story and mysteries of the game. - Experience: mixed - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: Explorer; Adventurer - Reference games: Minecraft; The Forest - Build-Crafter Grinder (buy) - Motivation: Building and upgrading equipment and bases. - Playstyle: Focuses on crafting and building, enjoys the progression system. - Experience: familiar - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: Builder; Crafter - Reference games: Minecraft; Valheim - Fear-Facing Adventurer (sale) - Motivation: Overcoming fears and enjoying the immersive underwater environment. - Playstyle: Cautious exploration, enjoys the thrill of facing fears. - Experience: newcomer - Purchase stance: sale - Labels: Thalassophobe; Adventurer - Reference games: Amnesia; SOMA - Survivalist (buy) - Motivation: Survival and overcoming challenges in a hostile environment. - Playstyle: Focuses on survival mechanics, enjoys the challenge of managing resources and health. - Experience: veteran - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: Survivalist; Hardcore Player - Reference games: The Long Dark; Don't Starve Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category. Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews. What players like: - Highly praised game experience (weight 0.34): Players consistently describe the game as amazing, revolutionary, and one of the best in its genre. The unique gameplay, fantastic graphics, and incredible soundtrack contribute to its near-perfect status. - Stunning visuals and environments (weight 0.31): The game features beautiful and diverse underwater landscapes, breathtaking environments, and stunning graphics. Players appreciate the detailed environments and creatures, making it visually captivating. - Excellent survival and exploration mechanics (weight 0.26): The game is praised for its engaging survival and exploration gameplay. It is considered one of the best in the survival-crafting genre, with mechanics that surpass those of similar games like Minecraft. - Diverse biomes and ecosystems (weight 0.22): Players enjoy the variety of biomes, each with unique flora and fauna. The game offers a rich and vibrant underwater world with diverse creatures and resources. - Engaging storyline (weight 0.16): The game features a deeply engaging and thought-provoking story. Players appreciate the immersive plot and atmosphere, which add depth to the overall experience. - Great base-building mechanics (weight 0.13): The base-building system is well-designed and addictive. Players enjoy the freedom to build their bases anywhere and customize them to their liking. - Emotional impact (weight 0.1): The game delivers a strong emotional impact through its exploration and storyline. Players experience moments of joy, pleasure, and dread, creating a memorable and emotionally resonant experience. Common complaints: - Game has many bugs (weight 0.21): Players report numerous bugs and glitches that affect gameplay, including issues specific to PS4 and VR modes. - Not suitable for thalassophobics (weight 0.14): The game may induce discomfort or fear for players with thalassophobia due to its deep sea exploration themes. - Navigation can be difficult (weight 0.11): The lack of a clear in-game map makes navigation and exploration confusing and frustrating for players. - Inventory system needs improvement (weight 0.1): Players report issues with the inventory system, including limited space and frustrating management. - Game is very difficult (weight 0.09): Players find the game difficult to get into and frustrating to play, with challenging gameplay mechanics. - Resource grinding can be tedious (weight 0.08): The game requires significant resource grinding, which some players find tedious and repetitive. - VR support is poor (weight 0.08): VR mode in the game is reported to be poorly supported and borderline unusable, with issues like lack of native controller support. - Mods often break with updates (weight 0.08): Updates frequently break mods, rendering them unusable and frustrating players who rely on them. - No auto-save feature (weight 0.07): The game lacks an auto-save feature, which can lead to progress loss and frustration. - No multiplayer or co-op (weight 0.07): The game does not support multiplayer or co-op modes, which some players find disappointing. - Game can be very scary (weight 0.05): The game features scary noises and environments that can be very frightening for some players. - Story lacks depth (weight 0.05): The game's story is criticized for lacking depth and having weak moments. - Progression lacks clear signposting (weight 0.04): The game's progression is not always clearly signposted, making it difficult for players to know what to do next. - Combat mechanics are frustrating (weight 0.04): The combat mechanics in the game can feel primitive and frustrating for players. - Limited flora in some biomes (weight 0.04): Some biomes in the game have limited flora and can be too dark, affecting the overall experience. - Construction interface is unclear (weight 0.04): The construction interface and mechanics in the game can be unclear and confusing for players. - Lack of quests and local goals (weight 0.04): The game lacks quests and local goals, which can make progression feel aimless. - Controls are unintuitive (weight 0.04): Players find the game's controls difficult to understand and unintuitive. - Single save slot (weight 0.03): The game only has a single save slot, which can be inconvenient for players. - Survival mechanics can be annoying (weight 0.03): The survival aspects of the game can be quite annoying and tedious for some players. Gameplay feedback: - Exploration and discovery focus (weight 0.34): The game emphasizes exploration and discovery as key aspects, with players exploring different biomes, uncovering the planet's story, and progressing through discovery. - Survival mechanics and elements (weight 0.31): The game features various survival mechanics such as hunger, thirst, and oxygen management. Players must navigate a hostile environment and utilize survival strategies. - Crafting and progression systems (weight 0.2): The game includes crafting and progression systems, allowing players to gather resources, craft items, and upgrade equipment. - Creature encounters and interactions (weight 0.18): Players will encounter and interact with various creatures, including large and specific creatures, adding to the gameplay experience. - Storytelling through environment and logs (weight 0.17): The game's story is revealed through environmental design, PDA notes, logs, and events, creating a non-linear storytelling experience. - Base building and customization (weight 0.14): Players can engage in base building mechanics, including construction and customization of bases and vehicles. - Open-world and immersive gameplay (weight 0.14): The game offers an open-world experience with immersive exploration and adventure gameplay. It includes atmospheric and story-driven elements. - Horror and psychological elements (weight 0.13): The game includes horror elements and a psychological experience of loneliness and fear, adding to the tension and atmosphere. - Base and equipment upgrades (weight 0.09): Players can upgrade their bases and equipment, including vehicles, to enhance their survival and exploration capabilities. - Relaxing and addictive gameplay (weight 0.09): The game offers a slow-paced, relaxing, and addictive gameplay experience, making it easy to learn but difficult to master. Performance notes: - Good optimization and scalability (weight 0.2): The game is well-optimized and scales well across different hardware configurations. Players report good performance on both low-end and high-end PCs. - Stable performance on various settings (weight 0.14): The game maintains stable performance across different settings, including high graphics settings and low settings. Players report consistent FPS rates. - Mixed graphics quality feedback (weight 0.13): Some players report bad texture quality and blurry textures, while others praise the amazing graphics. This indicates a divide in player experiences with the game's visuals. - Minor bugs and glitches (weight 0.12): There are reports of minor bugs and glitches, such as fish swimming through walls and small graphical issues, which do not critically impact gameplay. - Crashes and game-breaking bugs (weight 0.09): Some players experience game crashes and game-breaking bugs, which significantly impact the gameplay experience. - High FPS on capable hardware (weight 0.08): Players with capable hardware report high FPS rates, even at higher resolutions and maxed-out settings, indicating good performance on powerful systems. - Overheating and graphical issues (weight 0.05): There are reports of overheating issues and graphical problems that affect the game's performance and visual quality. - Performance issues on specific platforms (weight 0.05): Some players experience performance issues on specific platforms like PS4 and certain PC versions, affecting the game's playability. - Cross-platform compatibility (weight 0.04): The game works well across different operating systems, including Windows and NixOS KDE, indicating good cross-platform compatibility. - VR mode issues (weight 0.04): Players have reported various issues with the VR mode, affecting its usability and overall experience. - Playable on Steam Deck (weight 0.04): The game is reported to be playable on the Steam Deck with good performance, making it accessible on handheld devices. - Low rendering distance (weight 0.02): Some players have noted issues with low rendering distance, which affects the visual quality and immersion in the game. Recommendations: - Recommended for exploration and survival fans (weight 0.56): This game is highly recommended for players who enjoy exploration, survival, and discovery. It offers a unique underwater experience with detailed lore, engaging worlds, and a variety of creatures. - Highly recommended for unique experience (weight 0.36): The game is praised for its unique and immersive experience, making it a must-play for many. It offers a high-quality experience that is unforgettable and engaging. - Not recommended for thalassophobes (weight 0.22): Players with a fear of the ocean or large creatures may find this game uncomfortable. It is recommended for those who enjoy being scared or want to experience a new type of fear. - Recommended for immersive gameplay (weight 0.19): The game is recommended for its immersive and atmospheric gameplay. It offers a breath of fresh air from typical shoot 'em up games and is enjoyable for all gamers. - Highly recommended purchase (weight 0.14): The game is strongly recommended for purchase, especially for fans of survival and exploration games. It is considered a must-have for survival game fans. - Try the game (weight 0.11): Players are encouraged to try the game and experience it for themselves. It is recommended for new players and those who enjoy unique settings and atmospheric games. - Favorite game for many (weight 0.07): The game is considered one of the favorite games of all time for many players. It is praised for its masterpiece quality and unforgettable experience. - Anticipation for sequels (weight 0.05): Players are looking forward to potential sequels and future installments of the game. The anticipation for Subnautica Zero and Subnautica 2 is high. - Save frequently (weight 0.03): Players are advised to save their progress frequently, every 10-15 minutes, to avoid losing progress. This is a practical tip for enjoying the game. - Play blind for best experience (weight 0.03): It is recommended to start the game without reading any guidelines or guides to experience it blindly. This enhances the discovery and immersion aspects of the game. Other player notes: No miscpoints Emotions: - Excitement (weight 0.25): Players are excited by the game's exploration and discovery mechanics, which include diverse biomes, beautiful fauna, and dynamic gameplay. The immersive atmosphere, survival elements, and the thrill of finding new areas and resources contribute significantly to this excitement. - Fear (weight 0.14): The game's suspenseful and horror elements, including encounters with terrifying creatures like the Reaper Leviathan and the oppressive atmosphere of deep-sea exploration, induce fear. The sound design and the tension of navigating dangerous, unknown waters amplify this emotion. - Joy (weight 0.13): Players experience joy from the fun and addictive gameplay loop, which includes exploration, base-building, and interacting with unique creatures. The beautiful graphics, engaging story, and the overall immersive experience of the game contribute to this positive emotion. - Satisfaction (weight 0.09): The game provides a satisfying experience through its progression and building systems, rewarding gameplay, and a fulfilling climax. Players appreciate the beautiful underwater world, the sense of achievement from overcoming challenges, and the overall value of the game. - Frustration (weight 0.07): Frustration arises from various bugs and glitches, such as materials falling through the map, VR mode issues, and the lack of an autosave system. Additionally, unclear mechanics, difficult resource gathering, and repetitive tasks contribute to player frustration. - Awe (weight 0.05): The game's stunning visuals, immersive atmosphere, and beautiful underwater world evoke a sense of awe. The breathtaking environments, advanced future technology, and the incredible soundtrack enhance this feeling of wonder. - Enjoyment (weight 0.03): Players enjoy the overall gameplay experience, which includes exploration, crafting mechanics, and the diversity of biomes. The survival and adventure aspects, along with the immersive atmosphere, contribute to a highly enjoyable experience. - Disappointment (weight 0.02): Disappointment stems from unfulfilled expectations, such as the lack of built-in multiplayer, short story, and insufficient biodiversity. Additionally, bugs, glitches, and the developers' inaction on certain issues contribute to this sentiment. - Appreciation (weight 0.02): Players appreciate the game's fantastic story, lore, and amazing visuals. The continuous updates, longevity, and the developers' attention to detail in creating a realistic underwater world are also highly valued. - Tension (weight 0.02): The game's atmosphere of isolation and the unknown, combined with the fear of encountering dangerous creatures, creates a constant sense of tension. The strong sound design and the lack of hand-holding amplify this feeling. - Nostalgia (weight 0.02): Players feel nostalgic about their past experiences with the game, including memories of playing with family or during childhood. The desire to relive the immersive experience and the impactful first playthrough contribute to this emotion. - Curiosity (weight 0.02): The game's mystery and exploration elements, along with the desire to uncover secrets and discover new biomes, evoke a sense of curiosity. The interesting story and the feeling of the unknown further enhance this emotion. - Love (weight 0.01): Players love the game for its beautiful story, handcrafted world, and realistic building mechanics. The overall experience, including the music, gameplay, progression, and the ability to hatch creatures, contributes to this deep affection. - Relief (weight 0.01): Relief is felt when players find safe areas to explore or when dangerous creatures like the Reaper Leviathan are not aggressive. The availability of mods for navigation and the unrealistic appearance of marine creatures also provide a sense of relief. - Admiration (weight 0.01): Players admire the game's beautiful underwater world, diverse wildlife, and stunning visuals. The atmosphere, music, and the relaxing yet beautiful environment contribute to this sense of admiration. - Engagement (weight 0.01): The game's strong story, setting, and survival gameplay demand attention and create a deeply engaging experience. The interesting lore and the need for constant attention to survive enhance player engagement. - Anxiety (weight 0.01): Anxiety is induced by the game's design and atmosphere, which can trigger personal phobias. The feeling of being prey in the ocean and the tension of managing oxygen while encountering creatures contribute to this emotion. - Amusement (weight 0.01): Players find amusement in humorous bugs and glitches, such as the prawn costume being able to fly or fish passing through walls. These unexpected and funny moments provide a lighthearted break from the game's tension. - Loneliness (weight 0.01): The game's atmosphere of being alone in a vast ocean and the sense of isolation contribute to feelings of loneliness. The desolate underwater world and the need for self-reliance amplify this emotion. - Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is caused by updates that break mods and alienate the gaming community. The removal of the legacy version and the timing of updates around the release of Subnautica 2 also contribute to this frustration.}