Subnautica 2 launched into Steam Early Access on the 15th. It hasn't just held the number one spot on the global charts; it has shattered expectations with a concurrent player count exceeding 460,000.

Since pre-orders opened on the 12th, Subnautica 2 has been glued to the top of the sales charts. Upon its release on the 15th, a massive influx of players pushed the peak concurrent player count to 467,582. To put that in perspective, that’s more than nine times the record of roughly 50,000 set by the original Subnautica.

As of its launch day, the game sits at a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam, with 16,499 reviews and a 92% approval rate. Early impressions suggest the engine overhaul has transformed the lighting and the visceral, eerie depth of the ocean into something entirely new. Players are particularly chuffed about the multiplayer support, noting that the deep-sea terror is much easier to manage when you've got a mate by your side. The increased freedom in base building is also a massive win. However, it’s not all plain sailing; some users are pointing out frame rate drops even on high-end hardware and a lack of field-of-view settings, which is causing motion sickness for some.

Subnautica 2 has swapped to Unreal Engine 5, delivering a far more realistic underwater world and officially supporting four-player co-op. You’ll be exploring a new alien planet, utilizing a 'Bio-Mod' system to tweak your own DNA for survival advantages. The modular base-building system has also seen a significant upgrade, offering much more creative freedom for your deep-sea homestead.

Krafton has also announced that Subnautica 2 hit 2 million units sold within just 12 hours of release. Developer Unknown Worlds plans to keep the momentum going with regular updates and system tweaks based on player feedback.

Elsewhere on the charts, the hype surrounding the sequel has sent both the original Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero climbing back into the top ranks while they’re on sale. Meanwhile, American Truck Simulator saw a boost, with its new Illinois DLC landing at 7th place and the base game sitting at 5th.

In the daily peak player rankings, Subnautica 2 has surged to 4th place, pushing other staples down a peg. Limbus Company continues to show its staying power, holding steady at over 100,000 players, while Battlefield 6 has slipped out of the top 20.