"Review of Subnautica 2, the new underwater survival sequel currently in early access."

After much anticipation and a tumultuous journey, Subnautica 2 has finally arrived in early access. But the question remains: was the wait worth it? Let's dive in and explore the depths of this sequel to the popular deep sea survival game.

For its developers at Unknown Worlds, the release of Subnautica 2 in early access must be a huge relief. It comes after a turbulent time, with the firing of the studio's chief executive and founders last year, at the hands of the CEO of publisher Krafton. This move was made against the advice of legal experts and was reportedly aided by the use of a ChatGPT to construct the lawsuit that led to their ousting.

This was a strategic move to avoid a promised $250 million payout to staff upon the game's early access release. The original management team fought back with a countersuit and were eventually reinstated. However, the head of Krafton remains in his position, creating a potentially tense atmosphere at company events.

But surprisingly, when playing Subnautica 2, you wouldn't have any idea of the drama that surrounded its development. It stays true to the franchise's core elements of underwater survival and exploration, which were first introduced over a decade ago with the original Subnautica. In the first game, players found themselves stranded on an alien water world and had to fend for themselves.

Through gradually exploring, crafting, base-building, and acquiring new equipment and submersibles, they were able to expand their reach. Unlike other open world survival games, Subnautica's beautifully rendered underwater landscapes took players away from the usual dry land setting and towards more dangerous and unexplored territories. The slow pace of life under the sea perfectly matched the game's rhythm, where players had to gather materials from the ocean depths and use them to create more advanced undersea bases.

As they ventured further from their initial crash site, they encountered increasingly alien creatures and environments. The follow-up, Subnautica: Below Zero, continued this process of crafting and marine exploration in an icy ocean setting, where players had to navigate the harsh conditions of the surface. And now, with the early access release of Subnautica's first numbered sequel, we are thrown for a loop as we are told we are on our way to a desert planet – a surprise for those familiar with the first two games.

But this turns out to be a playful joke, as we soon find ourselves on another entirely aquatic world. The game's new dedication to black comedy is evident in our interactions with the AI companion, who constantly reminds us of our expendability. Similar to the game Satisfactory, the AI's calm and computer-generated voice serves as a constant reminder of our fragile existence.

Adapting to the environment once again requires players to craft new components using materials gathered from their expeditions. But this time, they also have the ability to upgrade their human bodies with alien DNA. By finding glowing purple flowers scattered throughout the ocean, players can permanently add new powers to their character, allowing them to explore even deeper into the abyss.

This comes in handy when facing a new threat – viral blooms. These block underwater passageways and make the creatures more aggressive, adding a new level of danger to the game. But luckily, the damage they inflict is initially minimal and the game's overall survivability is higher, at least until players venture into the deeper parts of the ocean.

These depths are where Subnautica likes to place its leviathans, who remain a threat even in the late game when players have unlocked larger submersibles. With their imposing size and aggression, these creatures are formidable foes that players must constantly reckon with. In addition to the dark humor, another noticeable change in this early access release is the improved technical standard.

While Below Zero was plagued with crashes and frequent pop-ins, Subnautica 2 delivers a refreshing bug-free experience. There are some minor glitches, such as textures suddenly shifting as players exit a cave, but overall, the quality control is much more polished, at least on Xbox Series X. This polish extends to the stunning visuals of the underwater landscapes, which are even more vibrant and colorful.

The surface of the sea looks more realistic, with the sun's rays glinting through the waves and dancing on the sandy ocean floor. But it's when night falls that the game truly shines, with twin suns and a neighboring ringed planet creating a breathtaking view. And underwater, the phosphorescent sea life sprawls out before players, creating a mesmerizing world to explore.

The day/night cycle does not hinder players' exploration, as it simply changes the scenery and the creatures encountered. However, it can make it more challenging to navigate through cave systems, as the lack of sunlight makes it difficult to find an exit before running out of oxygen. The screen slowly darkens until players eventually drown and are reborn into a new body by their ever-calm and slightly sinister AI supervisor.

The game now features ocean currents, which can either sweep players along or provide a source of energy for their underwater bases. Crafting has also been made simpler, with resources now being automatically drawn from nearby storage containers. This eliminates the need to constantly sort through multiple lockers, searching for that one rare mineral needed to craft an item.

But perhaps the biggest change in this sequel is the option for four-player co-op. Players can now work together to gather resources and build bases, creating a different dynamic to the solo experience. However, it is worth noting that the game is perfectly enjoyable in single-player mode as well.

Lastly, there is a compelling mystery to uncover as players stumble upon evidence of a now-vanished human population. Their abandoned, partially submerged settlements offer clues about what led to their downfall and potentially implicates Alterra, the franchise's shady megacorp. Overall, Subnautica 2 is a captivating and unique addition to the world of open world survival games.

With its intriguing plot, stunning setting, and engaging gameplay loop, this game is a must-play for fans of the original and newcomers alike.