12 incredible games similar to Subnautica that are going to obsess you (2026).

Discover the best games similar to Subnautica in 2026 with exploration, survival, mysterious oceans, and immersive adventures. A complete guide with relaxing, intense, and exciting titles to get lost in for hours ^^

There are games that you enjoy immensely while playing them and then, simply, move on to the next one. Then there is Subnautica, which is one of those titles that stays with you for a very long time. Even when you have already finished it, you keep thinking about certain moments. The first time you go down to a dark area, the strange sound of a huge creature moving nearby. That strange mix of absolute calm and constant fear.

I think that is precisely why so many people keep looking for games similar to Subnautica, like me. It is not just a survival submarine game. The magic lies in how it manages to make you feel like you are inside a completely unknown world. Curiosity constantly pushes you to keep moving forward, and there is always something new waiting for you behind each biome.

Some of the games I have gathered have huge oceans and underwater exploration. Others operate from a completely different approach, but they convey exactly the same need to keep discovering new things for hours.

The list is designed for those who love exploration, survival, immersive settings, and those games that manage to captivate you without realizing how long you have been playing.

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What makes Subnautica so special?

Many studies have tried to replicate the success of Subnautica, but very few have really managed to capture what makes it unique. Most focus only on the survival or base-building part when, in reality, the magic lies in how it mixes completely different emotions.

Subnautica makes exploration exciting even when you know something horrible could come out of the darkness. There is tension, but also calm. There are moments of fear and others where you just want to stay watching the environment, because the ocean is hypnotic.

The sense of progression is also very well measured. You always find something new. A resource, a strange creature, a different area, or a clue about what happened on that planet. The game manages to constantly spark curiosity, and that makes advancing never feel like an obligation.

Many of the games similar to Subnautica that I bring you work precisely because they understand that emotional part. They don’t try to copy it exactly, but rather capture that feeling of adventure and discovery that makes the experience so special.

Quick summary

Game	Type of Experience	What Feels Most Like Subnautica	Tension Level	Ideal If You’re Looking For…	Main Platforms
Under the Waves	Narrative underwater exploration.	The solitude beneath the ocean and its emotional atmosphere.	Medium.	A deep and emotional adventure set in the ocean.	PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S.
No Man’s Sky	Survival and space exploration.	The constant sense of discovery and freedom.	Medium.	Exploring endless planets for hours on end.	PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch.
Forever Skies	Atmospheric sci-fi survival.	The isolation and exploration of a hostile world.	Medium-High.	Building an airship base and uncovering mysteries.	PC, PS5.
Raft	Cooperative ocean survival.	Life in the middle of the ocean and resource management.	Medium.	A relaxing survival game to play solo or with friends.	PC, Consoles.
Light No Fire	Fantasy exploration and survival.	The feeling of a massive adventure and constant discovery.	Variable.	Getting lost in a gigantic world full of secrets.	PC and next-generation consoles.
Dave the Diver	Cozy underwater exploration and management.	Diving adventures filled with creatures and hidden secrets.	Low-Medium.	A relaxing yet highly addictive experience.	PC, PlayStation, Switch.
Pacific Drive	Psychological survival and exploration.	The constant tension and environmental mystery.	High.	A unique and unsettling survival experience.	PC, PS5.
Outer Wilds	Space exploration and mystery.	The endless curiosity and sense of discovery.	Medium.	Solving mysteries while exploring unique planets.	PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch.
Subnautica 2	Sci-fi underwater survival.	Everything that made the original Subnautica special.	High.	Returning to explore alien oceans.	PC and next-generation consoles.
Loddlenaut	Cozy ocean-cleaning game.	The emotional connection with the ocean.	Low.	Relaxing while restoring marine ecosystems.	PC, Switch.
The Forest	Survival and psychological horror.	The tension of exploring dark and dangerous areas.	Very High.	An intense experience full of adrenaline.	PC, PlayStation.
ABZÛ	Relaxing underwater exploration.	The beauty of the ocean and the immersive atmosphere.	Low.	Unwinding and peacefully enjoying the underwater world.	PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch.

Imagen: Steam

1. Under the Waves. The most emotional and atmospheric underwater experience I have played lately.

Under the Waves It was a huge surprise. I started playing thinking I would find a relaxing underwater adventure and ended up completely absorbed by the story and the setting.

Everything takes place in a futuristic underwater base situated in the depths of the North Sea. From the beginning, there is a constant feeling of isolation that strongly resembles some moments of Subnautica. The ocean feels vast, silent, and at times genuinely unsettling

What I liked the most is that it doesn’t try to turn every second into a struggle for survival. Here, the exploration has a much slower pace. You can take your time to explore the depths, discover sunken remains, and observe the environment while the story unfolds gradually.

The narrative carries a lot of weight, and that makes each dive have a stronger emotional significance. The protagonist is dealing with a personal loss, and the ocean almost acts as a reflection of his mental state. There are truly beautiful moments and others that are quite melancholic.

Visually, it is also gorgeous. Some underwater areas have spectacular lighting and manage to convey that mix of tranquility and solitude that is so captivating in this type of game.

Why Under the Waves reminds so much of Subnautica.

The feeling of isolation is probably what connects both games the most. You spend a lot of time alone underwater, listening only to ambient sounds and the noise of your base or submarine vehicle.

Exploration also feels very natural. You don’t move forward because the game constantly forces you to, but because you really want to discover what is beyond.

Imagen: Steam

2. No Man’s Sky. The perfect game for those who love getting lost exploring for hours.

Infinite exploration taken to the extreme.

No Man’s Sky has changed a lot since its release. Right now it is one of the most complete exploration and survival games out there, and I honestly completely understand why so many people who love Subnautica end up also becoming obsessed with this one.

The feeling of freedom is enormous. You can travel between completely different planets, build bases, upgrade ships, discover strange creatures, and spend hours simply exploring without any kind of rush.

Each planet conveys something different. Some are beautiful and relaxing, others are hostile and generate a lot of tension. That constant uncertainty is very reminiscent of the feeling of entering a new biome in Subnautica without knowing what might appear.

The best part is that it never feels like it ends. You always find something strange, unexpected, or visually impressive. There are moments when you land on a planet and stay staring at the landscape for a while because it looks like something out of a science fiction movie.

The construction is also very addictive. Little by little, you end up creating huge bases and organizing resources just like in Subnautica. That slow but steady progression is super satisfying.

What caught me the most about No Man’s Sky.

The feeling of adventure is incredible. You always have the impression that there is something more to discover. In addition, the constant updates have made the game have a lot of content and different activities.

I also really like how it mixes tranquility and tension. You can spend a relaxed hour exploring a beautiful planet and suddenly end up escaping from a toxic storm or aggressive creatures.

Imagen: Steam

3. Forever Skies. The alternative most similar to Subnautica in terms of atmosphere and survival.

Surviving on a destroyed planet is much more immersive than I expected.

Forever Skies has one of the most interesting settings I have seen in recent years within the survival genre. The Earth is covered by a gigantic layer of toxic dust, and you survive by traveling above the clouds in a fully customizable airship. Just that premise alone manages to arouse a lot of curiosity.

The feeling of isolation is very reminiscent of Subnautica. You spend a large part of the time exploring abandoned ruins, searching for resources, and constantly wondering what exactly happened in that world.

The ship ends up becoming something similar to Subnautica’s Cyclops. Gradually, you upgrade it, organize resources, install new tools, and end up feeling it as your safe haven within a hostile environment.

Visually, it has incredible moments. Seeing destroyed cities rising above the clouds creates a very strange feeling between beauty and decay that is quite captivating.

Why Forever Skies is appealing so much to those who love games similar to Subnautica.

Many current survival games focus too much on constant resource management and end up being exhausting. Forever Skies manages to balance exploration and survival much better.

The mystery also has quite a lot of weight. You always want to keep moving forward to better understand what happened on the planet and discover new areas. In addition, vertical exploration gives it a very different personality. Moving between giant structures suspended over toxic clouds is spectacular.

Imagen: Steam

4. Raft. Relaxing oceanic survival with moments of true chaos.

Building a floating house ends up being incredibly addictive.

Raft seems like a very easy game when you start. You are in the middle of the ocean on a tiny raft, with a plastic hook and practically nothing else. The initial feeling is quite frustrating because you have hardly any resources and any mistake can leave you without food or important materials.

The curious thing is that this is precisely where the hook begins. Little by little, you start collecting objects floating in the water, improving the raft, crafting new tools, and eventually building a real floating fortress.

The progression feels incredibly natural. It never feels like you are collecting out of obligation. You are always doing something useful and constantly see how your little raft transforms into something much bigger and more comfortable.

The ocean conveys a tranquility very similar to Subnautica at certain moments. Sailing while listening only to the water and the wind is surprisingly relaxing. Then, a shark appears, destroying part of your raft, and peace is gone for a few minutes 🙂

Exploration also works very well. You find islands, abandoned platforms, and places full of resources or secrets. Each new location sparks curiosity, because you never know exactly what you are going to find.

What I like most about Raft.

The balance between survival and calm is very well achieved. Some survival games end up being exhausting because it feels like a race against time all the time. Here there is tension, but also many moments where you simply enjoy building and exploring.

The cooperative aspect is also extremely fun. Playing with friends turns the chaos into something even better. Some absurd disaster always happens, and you end up laughing a lot while trying to keep the raft afloat.

The feeling of literally living in the middle of the ocean also connects a lot with those who enjoy games similar to Subnautica.

Imagen: Steam

5. Light No Fire. The Most Anticipated Survival Game of 2026.

The feeling of adventure promises to be Enormous.

Light No Fire hasn’t been officially released yet, but the level of anticipation is enormous and, honestly, it makes sense.

After everything Hello Games achieved with No Man’s Sky, a lot of people are curious to see what they can do now with a game focused on fantasy and planetary exploration.

The most striking thing is the scale. The game promises a gigantic, fully explorable planet full of mountains, oceans, huge creatures, forests, and unknown areas. All with a feeling of total freedom.

What most reminds one of Subnautica is, precisely, that idea of discovering a vast world without really knowing what awaits you. The survival community is completely obsessed because it seems like one of those games where you can get lost for hours just exploring.

Visually, it also has a very strong personality. The landscapes look enormous and convey a constant sense of adventure. There is something very special about games that manage to awaken curiosity just by watching a trailer, and this one does.

Why Light No Fire can become the next big survival phenomenon.

Many players are looking for exactly that feeling of free exploration that made Subnautica special. Light No Fire seems to bet precisely on that.

The idea of exploring a gigantic planet without limits is super attractive to those who enjoy constantly discovering new places. Additionally, the cooperative component can make it even more fun because sharing discoveries always adds a lot to this type of experience.

Imagen: Steam

6. DAVE THE DIVER. The most unexpectedly addictive underwater game of recent years.

You start fishing calmly and end up completely obsessed.

Dave the Diver is one of those games that seem small and simple until you start playing and, suddenly, you can’t stop.

The premise is quite peculiar. During the day you explore underwater areas while fishing, gathering materials, and uncovering secrets. At night, you run a sushi restaurant where you use everything you’ve caught.

On paper it sounds very strange, but it works incredibly well.

Underwater exploration is really addictive. There are always new creatures, hidden areas, and upgrades to unlock. Also, each dive is different, because the ocean is constantly changing.

The game also perfectly knows when to let you relax and when to put a little tension on you. Some creatures are quite dangerous, and there are moments when you run out of oxygen while trying to return to the surface loaded with resources.

Visually it has a lot of charm. The pixel art style combined with super smooth animations makes everything very pleasant to watch.

Why DAVE THE DIVER is so liked by those who love Subnautica.

Although the tone is much lighter, it shares something very important with Subnautica. The constant feeling of wanting to keep exploring.

You always want to do one more dive. Discover a new area. Improve the equipment. See which creatures appear next. That loop of curiosity and progression is very well built and makes it dangerously addictive.

Imagen: Steam

7. Pacific Drive. Anxiety, exploration, and survival on the road.

The feeling of constant danger is very reminiscent of exploring deep biomes in Subnautica.

Pacific Drive shows that you don’t need to be underwater to convey exactly that mix of tension and fascination that is so captivating in Subnautica.

Here you traverse an exclusion zone full of strange anomalies, while trying to survive using only your car and the resources you find along the way.

The atmosphere is incredible. All the time you feel that something strange is happening around you. The environment constantly changes, strange phenomena appear, and you never know if the next trip will end well.

The car practically becomes your refuge, just like with the vehicles in Subnautica. You improve it little by little, repair the damaged parts, and you end up developing a very strange relationship with it because, literally, your survival depends on it.

Exploration also works great. Each route generates a lot of curiosity and you constantly find strange objects or unexpected situations.

What surprised me the most about Pacific Drive.

The psychological tension is very well achieved. You don’t need giant monsters appearing every five minutes to feel uncomfortable.

There are moments where, simply, driving during a strange storm while everything around starts to fail is much more unsettling than many horror games.

Also, it has that same feeling of constant preparation that is so addictive in good survival games. Before each outing, you check resources, tools, and the state of the vehicle knowing that any mistake can make the situation much more complicated.

Imagen: Steam

8. Outer Wilds. The best exploration and mystery game I have ever played.

Discovering secrets here feels completely magical.

Outer Wilds is probably the game I recommend the most to those who loved the discovery and mystery part in Subnautica.

I try to always talk about it without spoilers because a large part of its magic is discovering absolutely everything on your own.

Exploration here does not work through markers or traditional missions. You advance because you want to understand what is happening. Each planet is a gigantic puzzle full of secrets, information, and completely unexpected situations.

The feeling of curiosity is wonderful. You constantly find something that raises new questions and that makes you want to keep playing nonstop.

Some moments reminded me a lot of Subnautica precisely because of that mix between fascination and vulnerability. There are areas where you feel completely small in front of how huge and strange the universe is.

The soundtrack is also beautiful and helps create that melancholic and mysterious atmosphere that makes the experience so special.

Why Outer Wilds connects so much with those who look for games similar to Subnautica.

Both games perfectly understand how to turn curiosity into the player’s main motivation. You don’t explore because someone forces you to, but because you really need to discover what lies beyond and understand how that world works.

Few games manage to generate that feeling of genuine discovery, and precisely because of that, Outer Wilds has become such a beloved experience.

Imagen: Steam

9. Subnautica 2. The most anticipated game for those of us who are obsessed with exploring alien oceans.

Everything points to us losing hours again exploring impossible depths.

Subnautica 2 has practically become the great hope of the entire survival community. Many people continue looking for games similar to Subnautica, simply because they need something to make the wait more bearable.

Honestly, the level of anticipation is completely logical. The first game achieved something extremely difficult within the survival genre. Not only was it fun, it also managed to convey very specific emotions. Fascination, fear, curiosity, and calm at the same time.

Everything known so far about Subnautica 2 points to an even more ambitious experience. New alien biomes, gigantic creatures, cooperative exploration, and more advanced construction systems.

The idea of exploring completely new oceans is already exciting on its own. Thinking about discovering unknown creatures and even more unsettling deep areas makes the hype enormous.

I am also very curious to see how the narrative part will evolve. One of the most special things about the first game was how it told you the story while you explored. You didn’t feel like you were constantly watching cutscenes; you discovered what had happened as you traveled the planet.

That kind of environmental storytelling works incredibly well in exploration games, and I hope Subnautica 2 continues to bet on it.

Why so many people are looking forward to Subnautica 2 so much.

There is no other game that combines survival, underwater exploration, and atmospheric horror in exactly the same way.

Many titles do one part well. Some have good survival. Others stand out for exploration or setting. Subnautica manages to mix it all in a super natural way.

Precisely because of this, the second game has become one of the most important searches within the survival genre in 2026.

Imagen: Steam

10. Loddlenaut. The cutest and most relaxing cozy submarine game on this entire list.

Cleaning virtual oceans ends up being much more satisfying than I imagined.

Loddlenaut has a completely different energy from the rest of the games on this list, and precisely for that reason, I really wanted to include it.

Here you don’t survive in a hostile environment, nor do you try to escape from giant creatures. Your goal is to clean a polluted oceanic planet while helping some adorable creatures called loddles.

The curious thing is that something seemingly so simple ends up being super relaxing and addictive.

You explore underwater areas full of trash, collect waste, restore ecosystems, and little by little, you see how the environment fills with life again. There is something very satisfying about watching the ocean change thanks to what you do.

The game has a super pleasant atmosphere. The colors, music, and creature design convey a lot of calm. After playing intense survival games or games full of tension, coming here is almost therapeutic.

Exploration still has quite a lot of importance. Even though it is a much cozier experience, you constantly unlock new tools and access different underwater areas.

What makes Loddlenaut special.

Many cozy games become repetitive very quickly, but here the sense of progress is very well balanced. You always have something new to discover or improve.

In addition, the ecological message is integrated in a very natural way. You don’t feel like the game is constantly trying to teach you a lesson. You simply end up connecting emotionally with the ocean and wanting to see it clean and full of life.

That emotional bond with the environment is also one of the reasons why it so much reminds you of Subnautica.

Imagen: Steam

11. The Forest. Survival and terror for those who enjoyed the most unsettling moments of Subnautica.

Some caves are much scarier than any sea creature.

The Forest is still one of the most intense survival games I have played, and I completely understand why so many people who love Subnautica end up getting hooked here as well.

It all starts after a plane crash on an apparently deserted island. At first, it seems like the typical survival game where you build shelters and look for food. Gradually, you start realizing that something very strange is happening on the island.

The tension is very well built. During the day you can calmly explore forests, gather materials, and improve your camp. When night falls, everything changes completely.

The creatures that inhabit the island are quite disturbing, and the caves are distressing. Entering some dark areas reminded me a lot of going down to deep biomes in Subnautica.

That feeling of wanting to keep moving forward even though you’re scared is very present all the time. Building also works great. You can create huge shelters, traps, and defensive structures while trying to survive nighttime attacks.

Why The Forest connects so well with Subnautica players.

Although the settings are completely different, both games perfectly understand how to use the environment to generate tension.

Fear does not depend solely on aggressive enemies. Often it comes from uncertainty. Not knowing what lies ahead. Hearing strange sounds. Feeling vulnerable while exploring dark places.

That kind of environmental terror works incredibly well and makes both games much more immersive.

Imagen: Steam

12. ABZÛ. The most relaxing and beautiful underwater experience I have ever tried.

Exploring the ocean here is almost like meditating.

ABZÛ is probably the calmest game on this entire list and yet it manages to convey a wonderful sense of exploration.

Everything here revolves around calmness, the beauty of the ocean, and the feeling of discovering an underwater world full of life.

From the very beginning, the setting is spectacular. The colors, lighting, and music create a super relaxing atmosphere. There are moments when you just want to stay still watching schools of fish moving around.

Exploration is simpler than in Subnautica, but it maintains that constant sense of curiosity. You always want to go a little further to discover new underwater areas and different creatures.

Visually it is still beautiful, even years after its release. Some scenes literally look like moving paintings.

Why ABZÛ is still so recommended for those looking for games similar to Subnautica.

Many people who love Subnautica are not just looking for survival, they are also seeking that special connection with the ocean and underwater exploration.

ABZÛ perfectly understands that more contemplative part. It makes the ocean seem mysterious, enormous, and fascinating without constantly resorting to danger. In addition, it is perfect for disconnecting and relaxing for a few hours.

How to choose the best game similar to Subnautica based on what you liked most about the original.

One of the most interesting things about Subnautica is that each person connects with a different part of the game. Some really enjoy survival and base building. Others are completely captivated by the mystery and exploration.

Precisely for that reason, I think it’s worth choosing the next game thinking about what impacted you most in the original experience.

If what you liked the most was exploring oceans and discovering new places.

Under the Waves, ABZÛ, and Loddlenaut work great if you’re looking for that feeling of connection with the ocean and more relaxed underwater exploration.

Each one has a different tone. Under the Waves leans more towards emotional narrative. ABZÛ focuses on calm and contemplation. Loddlenaut goes for a super cozy and pleasant experience.

If you enjoyed survival and resource management.

Raft and Forever Skies are probably the best options.

Both make building and improving your shelter super satisfying. In addition, they constantly maintain that feeling of vulnerability and exploration that makes good survival games so special.

If what captivated you the most was the mystery.

Outer Wilds remains practically unbeatable in that regard.

Pacific Drive also works great for those who enjoy strange atmospheres and constant tension while exploring unknown places.

If you want to follow the current hype of 2026.

Subnautica 2 and Light No Fire are clearly the games that are generating the most conversation right now within the survival and exploration community.

A lot of people have huge expectations for both titles, because they promise gigantic worlds full of discoveries and adventures.

Conservation, oceans, and why these games manage to connect so emotionally.

There is something very curious in many games similar to Subnautica, and it is the way they end up making you emotionally connect with the environment. They don’t just give you a nice map to explore. They manage to make the ocean, the landscapes, or even the abandoned ruins feel alive.

Precisely because of this, so many exploration and survival games end up awakening a certain awareness about marine conservation or environmental care almost without you realizing it.

In Loddlenaut, for example, cleaning the polluted ocean becomes a central part of the experience. You see how the environment improves thanks to what you do, and you end up developing a pretty strong emotional connection with those underwater areas.

Under the Waves also plays a lot with that relationship between people and the ocean. The sea doesn’t function just as a setting, but as an emotional space full of silence, isolation, and beauty.

Something similar even happens in Subnautica. Even though it’s an alien planet, you end up falling in love with certain biomes, creatures, and underwater landscapes. You spend so many hours exploring and surviving there that you end up feeling that world as a real place.

I think that there is an important part of the magic of these games. When a video game makes you care about the environment, it automatically makes the experience much more immersive.

Many survival games focus solely on gathering materials and constantly crafting objects. The best exploration games achieve something more. They make you want to stay in that world simply because you enjoy being there.

Why we keep looking for games similar to Subnautica even after so many years.

I think the answer is quite simple. Very few games manage to awaken exactly the same emotions.

Subnautica has something difficult to explain. It does not depend solely on spectacular graphics or complex mechanics. The key lies in how it mixes curiosity, fear, and exploration in a super natural way.

There are moments when you feel completely relaxed exploring reefs full of marine life. Minutes later, you can be descending into absolute darkness listening to terrifying sounds while seriously considering turning back.

That emotional roller coaster is very gripping.

Moreover, the progression never feels artificial. You upgrade tools, build bases, and get new vehicles because you really need to advance and discover more things. Everything is connected to exploration.

Many games try to replicate only the survival mechanics and forget about the sense of adventure. Precisely for that reason, few titles manage to fill that void when you finish Subnautica.

The games on this list work because they understand a specific part of that experience. Some capture exploration better. Others stand out for the atmosphere or the mystery. Some convey that feeling of isolation that makes the underwater experience so special.

In the end, what matters is not finding an exact copy. The interesting thing is discovering games that manage to give you back part of that feeling of constant wonder.

Frequently asked questions about games similar to Subnautica.

We keep looking for that magical feeling of exploring the unknown.

I believe that is precisely what makes Subnautica, and many of the games on this list, so special. It’s not just about surviving or building bases. The real magic lies in the feeling of adventure.

Exploring an unknown place, finding strange creatures, going a little deeper even though you’re scared, discovering incredible landscapes you didn’t expect to find.

Very few games manage to awaken that constant curiosity, and make you completely lose track of time while playing.

Some titles on this list lean more towards intense survival. Others work from a much more relaxing or narrative exploration. That’s precisely where the beauty lies. Each one manages to capture a different part of what made Subnautica unforgettable.

Personally, I love continuing to find games capable of conveying that sense of discovery, that need to keep moving forward just to see what lies beyond.

Now I have an important question. What game would you add to this list of games similar to Subnautica? I am always looking for new exploration and survival adventures that can captivate me for hours.