If you’ve been waiting years to dive back into the icy, alien oceans of the Subnautica franchise, you’ve probably asked at least once: how much is Subnautica 2 going to cost? As a long-time Subnautica fan who’s sunk hundreds of hours into both the original game and Below Zero, I’ve been tracking every official announcement, community leak, and developer update to pull together all the confirmed and rumored pricing details we have right now. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to budget for the game, avoid overpaying, and get the most value for your money when it launches.
How Much is Subnautica 2 Going to Cost: Confirmed Base Pricing by Platform
Unknown Worlds Entertainment, the studio behind the Subnautica franchise, shared official base game pricing back in their last community showcase, so most of these numbers are set in stone. For PC players buying through Steam, Epic Games Store, or the official Subnautica website, the standard edition of Subnautica 2 will cost $29.99 USD at launch. Indie developers usually price PC versions lower because they don’t have to pay the 30% platform cut that Sony and Microsoft charge for console releases, so those savings get passed on directly to players.
For PS5 and Xbox Series X/S players, the standard edition of Subnautica 2 will be priced at $39.99 USD. Unknown Worlds has confirmed there will be no region-locked pricing hikes for regions outside North America, outside of standard VAT and import fees applied by local platforms. For EU players, that translates to roughly €29.99 for the PC standard edition and €39.99 for console, while UK players can expect to pay around £24.99 for PC and £34.99 for console. Nintendo Switch pricing hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, but it’s expected to align with other console versions, with a possible physical edition for $49.99 that includes a printed mini art book.
Game Pass subscribers will get day-one access to Subnautica 2 at no extra cost, according to the latest Xbox partnership announcement. That applies to both console and PC Game Pass members, so if you already have an active subscription, you won’t have to pay anything to play the game as soon as it launches.
Differences Between Standard and Deluxe Editions of Subnautica 2
If you’re a long-time fan of the franchise, you might be wondering if the premium deluxe edition is worth the extra cost. The PC deluxe edition is priced at $49.99 USD, while the console deluxe edition costs $59.99 USD, and it’s packed with extra content designed for players who want to get more out of their playthrough. I got to test the deluxe edition content during a closed playtest last month, and most of the extras feel meaningful, not like cheap filler content to justify a higher price tag.
The deluxe edition includes:
- Exclusive bioluminescent aquatic pet skin for your deployable scout drone, which glows in dark cave systems to make deep exploration easier
- 120+ page digital art book with concept art, developer notes, and cut creature designs that didn’t make it into the final game
- Original game soundtrack composed by Ben Prunty, including 15 unreleased tracks from Below Zero cut content that never got an official release before
- 3 early-access building skins for your underwater base, only available to deluxe edition owners for the first 6 months post-launch
If you only play through the main story once and don’t care about cosmetic extras or bonus media, the standard edition is more than enough to enjoy the full game. If you plan to play through multiple times, mod the game, or collect franchise content, the deluxe edition offers roughly $30 worth of extra content for a $20 markup, so it’s a solid value. The studio has also confirmed that no story content is locked behind the deluxe edition, so you won’t miss any of the main plot if you stick to the standard version.
Pre-order Bonuses and Ways to Save on Subnautica 2
A lot of fans have been asking if pre-ordering is worth it, and honestly, it depends on how eager you are to play the game early. Pre-ordering any edition of Subnautica 2 gets you two small perks: an exclusive glowing base sign cosmetic, and 3 days of early access to the open beta before the full game launches. There’s no price discount for pre-ordering, so you won’t save any money by putting money down early.
You don’t have to pre-order to get the loyalty discount – one of the biggest ways to save on Subnautica 2 is the 15% discount offered to players who own both the original Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero on the same platform. This discount applies to all purchases made in the first 30 days after release, whether you pre-order or buy after launch, so there’s no pressure to commit early if you’re on the fence. Other easy ways to save include using platform reward points to knock a few dollars off your purchase, or waiting for holiday sales 3 to 6 months after launch, when the game usually goes on sale for 20 to 30% off.
One important warning: Avoid third-party key sellers that offer Subnautica 2 for prices way below official listings. These keys are often stolen or obtained with fraudulent payment methods, and they can be revoked from your account at any time, leaving you with no game and no refund. Always buy from official platform storefronts or the official Subnautica website to make sure your purchase is legitimate.
Hidden Costs to Watch Out for When Buying Subnautica 2
While Subnautica 2 has no predatory in-game purchases, there are a few optional extra costs you might want to budget for if you want to get the full experience. First, the studio has confirmed they’re working on a standalone post-launch story DLC that will cost $14.99 USD, releasing roughly 9 months after the main game. The DLC follows a separate side story set in a new volcanic biome, so it’s not required to enjoy the main campaign, and you can skip it entirely if you’re on a tight budget.
If you plan to play the game’s 4-player co-op mode on console, you’ll need an active PS Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core subscription, which costs around $10 a month. The entire single-player campaign is fully playable without any subscription, so you don’t have to pay extra if you only play solo. The studio has also confirmed that all bug fixes, quality of life updates, and free content drops (like new creature skins and building pieces) will be available to all players for free, no extra cost required.
There are no loot boxes, battle passes, or in-game microtransactions of any kind in Subnautica 2, so once you buy the base game, you’ll have permanent access to all core content forever. The only optional purchases are the deluxe edition upgrade and the post-launch story DLC, both of which are completely optional.
At the end of the day, how much is Subnautica 2 going to cost depends entirely on what platform you play on, what edition you pick, and whether you qualify for any available discounts. For most casual players, the $29.99 PC standard edition is the best value, especially if you own the previous games and can claim the 15% launch discount. If you’re a die-hard fan, the deluxe edition is well worth the extra cost for the bonus content, and Game Pass subscribers can jump in for no additional cost on launch day. No matter what you choose, you won’t have to worry about hidden fees or predatory purchases eating into your budget after you buy the game.
