Subnautica: Below Zero Review: A mesmerizing return that doesn’t fail in giving you the chills

It is supposed to be summer here where I live, but why am I freezing? Is Below Zero here, too? No surprise, it isn’t, but yeah, I can feel the chills.

Last August, I dropped my Subnautica review, and boy, wasn’t I impressed with it. And when I got to know that its sequel, Subnautica: Below Zero, was coming to mobile, I was just waiting for it. And of course, getting hands on it was one thing, then trying it out was another.

Gave it a good run, did some exploring, crossed paths with new creatures, collected some materials, and crafted some too, as I was involved in doing everything I could get my hands on. Now, it’s finally time to talk about it in detail in this Subnautica: Below Zero Review.

A familiar planet and a snowy environment, but a more personal story

We’re on planet 4546B, but this time things feel a bit more involving. You step into the shoes of Robin, trying to uncover the mystery behind her sister’s death. What really happened? Why did Alterra suddenly step away from everything?

The story isn’t overly complicated or carried much depth, but it works. The opening animation straight up makes you feel very involved. A good two minutes, including the tutorial at the beginning, elevates the game experience.

Instead of just surviving and figuring things out on your own, you’re chasing answers. Audio logs, messages, and voice character interactions slowly build up the narrative, and unlike the original, you don’t feel completely alone this time.

As I mentioned, there are some characters involved, interacting with you through voice, and even though it still keeps that isolation intact to a degree, there’s a sense that you’re not entirely abandoned in this frozen alien ocean. But to remind you, the core gameplay doesn’t really change, and that’s a good thing.

Same survival loop, but now with some icy pressure

You still get the four modes: Survival, Freedom, Hardcore, and Creative. I went with Freedom because, yeah, I’m not brave enough to deal with hunger, thirst, and those scary-looking penguins attacking me while I steal the penglings.

So what about that eerie feeling? Still very much there. If you’re thalassophobic, this game will test you. The deep, dark waters, the limited visibility, and the constant feeling that something is watching haven’t gone anywhere.

But the twist here is the environment. It’s not just underwater anymore. You’ll deal with icy biomes, frozen surfaces, and harsh weather conditions. Many sea creatures and elements make up the rest of the environment. Getting under the glaciers underwater is the scary part, thinking what if you never find oxygen backup again.

I still have Subnautica installed on my phone, so the comparison is right there. Below Zero feels more optimized. I played it on my Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and it ran smoothly throughout. No major frame drops, no annoying stutters, and no moments where the visuals fell apart.

Not to forget my newborn enmity with a creature. I crafted a knife. Twice. And twice, it got stolen. The culprit behind it is a Sea Monkey. These creatures will literally snatch items from you and swim away, and the best part? The voice lines, which will tell you, “They like to steal interesting objects”. Annoying? Yes. Memorable? Absolutely.

The visuals never fail to mesmerise you in each passing moment

The biggest strength for both games was the visuals, and Below Zero just takes this to a new level. I’m not even exaggerating when I say there were moments I was like “wow, and how” both. The lighting, the reflections, the glow of underwater plants at night, so beautiful.

And I have to talk about the sky, because when the aurora lights appeared, I was just lost in the view. Absolutely mesmerizing, just amazing from the developers. Watching those northern lights dance across the sky while you’re just floating there in the water in the dark, so beautifully pictured.

This is also where you can clearly see the upgrade over the original. The environments feel richer, more detailed, and alive. The sea life and flora are beautifully designed, from the vibrant underwater vegetation to creatures like the Sea Monkeys, who, despite my ongoing issues with them, look fantastic.

UI, sound, and everything in between are balanced

The UI doesn’t change much from the original, but it feels smoother this time. Transitions are better, navigation is cleaner, I have to point that out. Sound design, once again, is top-tier. The music balances between calming and eerie perfectly.

And the voice acting? Surprisingly strong, I really loved it. It adds a lot more personality to the experience and helps push the story forward, because there are a lot of details happening around you, and it works well. If there’s one suggestion, play this with headphones. It makes a massive difference.

No nonsense, just the full experience

Just like the original mobile port, this is a complete experience. It sticks to that premium model, and honestly, it’s refreshing. No ads popping up mid-game. No microtransactions are trying to slow you down. You buy the game, and that’s it.

Final Verdict

Subnautica: Below Zero is a solid sequel that doesn’t try to reinvent everything but improves enough to feel like it is fresh, even though it carries the same name and brand. I did read it was supposed to be just a DLC when it was released, but it goes much bigger than that.

Of course, something I’ve constantly read that it’s a bit shorter. Agreed. Yes, the map isn’t as massive as the original. But in a way, all these work in its favor. The pacing feels tighter, so you can wrap this game faster. On mobile, it’s a fantastic port. The performance, visuals, and overall gameplay experience are genuinely impressive.

There’s always a scope for debate on what could have been better, what could have been added, what should have been left out, but those preferences vary from player to player. For now, you are getting an awesome experience for just $9.99, and that more than justifies its value.

As I wrap up this review, I see my screen glowing with the homepage of the game showing the last save I have open. I think it’s time to dive back in.

What are your opinions on the Subnautica: Below Zero game and your review of it? Do let us know in the comments!

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