Subnautica 2, which launched on the 15th, is making waves. Shifting over 2 million units on day one is a significant achievement, and it’s now shaking up the domestic charts as well. Debuting at 35th in this week's Gamemeca popularity rankings, it’s a stellar result considering that most non-blockbuster Steam titles usually stall around the 40s. Its mainstream appeal is undeniable, evidenced by an 8th-place ranking in game streaming and 11th in portal searches.

The reception in Korea is currently a bit of a mixed bag. The decision to make hostile creatures unkillable has split the player base. Supporters argue it heightens the tension of surviving the deep sea, making every narrow escape feel earned. Detractors, however, find it a chore—arguing that the inability to fight back leads to resource-gathering fatigue and a lack of satisfying progression. Still, this heated discourse is proof that user interest is high.

It’s a far cry from the original’s quiet arrival. Back in December 2014, Subnautica was essentially an indie footnote, barely registering a blip in the Korean press. It built its reputation through steady refinement. When Unknown Worlds was brought into the Krafton fold in 2021, the hype for the sequel truly grew. Even with some friction between the founders and the parent company during the process, it only served to keep the game in the spotlight.

For Krafton, this success is a vital step in diversifying a revenue stream that has leaned heavily on the PUBG IP. But if they want this to stick, they need to keep the momentum going. This includes adding multiplayer modes, fresh environments, new creatures, and vehicles, while actively listening to player feedback. They’ve managed to grab the public's attention right out of the gate, so now the challenge is to turn this into a long-term cash cow.

MapleStory Worlds has surged two spots to 4th this week. Climbing from 14th to 4th in just four weeks is a notable feat, especially in a market saturated with established steady-sellers. Much of this momentum is driven by Maple Planet, a revival of the original MapleStory, which is hitting all the right nostalgic notes. As a platform, it’s managing to outshine heavyweights like PUBG, Sudden Attack, FC Online, and Overwatch.

In the mid-tier, the subculture open-world title 'Neverness to Everness' seems to be losing a bit of steam. After a strong debut at 20th in its launch week (April 29), it has slid to 30th. While players appreciate the visual style and the player-friendly monetization, the thin early-game narrative and the polarizing mascot character 'Tagido' are pushing players away. It’s a similar trajectory to what we saw with 'Crimson Desert' at launch; with consistent patches and updates, 'Neverness to Everness' might yet overcome the negativity and find its way to success.

Down in the lower ranks, the freshly minted 'Forza Horizon 6'—released on the 19th—has made the list. Given that it’s one of the few bright spots in Xbox's current lineup and there’s a persistent demand for high-quality racing games, it managed to crack the top 50 despite only having one day of data. It’s a solid game with no real competition, so this success was expected. Elsewhere, Netmarble’s 'Game of Thrones: Kingsroad' entered at 49th. It’s well-received, but since the 'Game of Thrones' IP isn't exactly the biggest draw for domestic gamers, it’s seeing a bit less mainstream fervor than other Netmarble releases.