If you’re a fan of the original Subnautica’s tense underwater exploration, crafting, and alien world storytelling, you’ve probably already heard pre orders for the long-awaited sequel are live. Subnautica 2 pre order pages popped up unexpectedly on all major storefronts last month, and players have been scrambling to figure out which edition is worth their money, what bonuses are actually useful, and if they should lock in their purchase now or wait for launch. I’ve spent the past week digging through official announcements, developer Q&As, and store listing fine print to put together all the info you need to make the right call for your playstyle. You don’t have to waste hours scrolling through forum threads or conflicting social media posts to get clear answers here.
What Do You Get With a Subnautica 2 Pre Order?
All pre orders, regardless of edition, come with a set of universal bonuses that you won’t be able to get after the game launches, unless they’re re-released as limited-time DLC a year or more down the line. The developers have been clear that none of these bonuses give you a competitive edge in single-player or multiplayer modes, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on critical gameplay content if you wait to buy. The full list of standard pre order perks includes:
- Exclusive bioluminescent seabase skin that glows in deep, dark cave systems, no need to craft extra lighting for base exteriors
- 72-hour early access to the game before the global public release date, so you can start exploring without waiting for server queues on launch day
- Digital art book featuring concept art of new biomes, creatures, and story characters that won't be available for separate purchase
- Official digital soundtrack with 32 original tracks from the series' returning composer
- Unique pet sea monkey companion that follows you on dives and occasionally brings back small crafting materials
Some storefronts also offer exclusive platform-specific bonuses for pre ordering through their service. For example, Steam users get a free Subnautica 2 profile theme and animated sticker pack for their library, while console players get a free dynamic dashboard theme for their system. These perks are small, but they’re nice extras if you already have a preferred platform you play all your games on. Just make sure you check the store listing for your platform of choice before you buy to confirm you’re getting all the available bonuses.
Key Differences Between Standard and Deluxe Pre Order Editions
There are two main editions available for pre order, and the price difference is around $20 depending on your region. A lot of players assume the deluxe edition is just a cash grab, but there are some pretty substantial perks included that make it worth the extra cost for long-time fans of the series. Let’s break down what sets the two apart.
The standard edition only includes the base game and the universal pre order bonuses we listed earlier. It’s the best pick if you’re on a tight budget, or if you’re new to the Subnautica franchise and aren’t sure how much time you’ll actually spend playing the sequel. You still get full access to all story content, multiplayer modes, and post-launch free updates with the standard edition, so you don’t have to pay extra for core gameplay.
The deluxe edition, on the other hand, comes with all the standard pre order bonuses plus the first two planned paid DLC expansions, an exclusive set of underwater vehicle skins, and access to the closed beta test that runs for three months before early access kicks off. The two DLC expansions are expected to add around 20 hours of new story content and three new explorable biomes each, so buying them as part of the deluxe edition saves you around $15 compared to buying them separately after launch. PC players who pre order the deluxe edition also get cross-save support with console versions, which isn’t available for standard edition purchases until 6 months after launch.
It’s worth noting that the closed beta access included with the deluxe edition lets you help shape the final game, too. You can submit feedback about bugs, balance issues, or missing features directly to the dev team, and they’ve already promised to credit top beta contributors in the game’s end credits. That’s a pretty cool bonus for players who want to be more involved in the development process.
Common Pre Order Pitfalls to Avoid
Pre ordering games always comes with a bit of risk, and Subnautica 2 is no exception. I’ve seen a lot of players make avoidable mistakes when putting their pre orders in over the past few weeks, so I’ve rounded up the most common issues to watch out for.
First, don’t pre order from a third-party key reseller to save a few bucks. A lot of these sites sell stolen or invalid keys, and you’ll end up losing your money and not getting access to the game when it launches. Official storefronts have regular sales anyway, so you’re not saving that much money by going through an unvetted seller. All official pre order purchases are refundable up until 2 weeks after launch, as long as you’ve played less than 2 hours of the game, so you don’t have to worry about being stuck with a broken game if launch goes poorly.
Second, don’t assume all pre order bonuses are available for every edition. A lot of players have posted online complaining that they didn’t get the closed beta access, only to find out they pre ordered the standard edition which doesn’t include that perk. Double check the edition you’re adding to your cart before you enter your payment info, it only takes 10 seconds to confirm and saves you a huge headache later.
Third, don’t pre order for a platform you don’t usually play on just to get an exclusive bonus. That limited-edition console skin isn’t worth buying the game on a system you never use, especially if all your friends are playing on PC. You can always find clips of exclusive platform content online if you’re curious, you don’t have to spend extra money just to get a minor cosmetic.
Finally, don’t pre order if you’re on the fence about the game. There’s no pressure to buy early, and you can always pick it up later once you’ve seen launch reviews and gameplay footage from other players. You won’t miss anything important by waiting, so there’s no reason to spend money on a game you might not even enjoy.
Is a Subnautica 2 Pre Order Worth It for Casual Players?
This is the question I get asked the most by people who only played the original Subnautica once a few years ago, and aren’t sure if they’re invested enough in the franchise to pre order the sequel. The short answer is: it depends on what you care about.
If you only play a few hours of new games a month, and you still have a backlog of other titles to get through, you can easily skip the pre order and wait for launch. There’s no exclusive gameplay content locked behind pre orders, so you won’t miss out on any story or mechanics by waiting a few weeks or even a few months to buy the game. You might even be able to get it on sale a few months after launch if you’re willing to be patient.
But if you’ve replayed the original Subnautica and Below Zero multiple times, you love underwater survival games, and you’re excited to play with your friends on launch day, the pre order is absolutely worth it. The early access alone means you can start exploring the new map before most players, and the exclusive cosmetics are fun extras that make your playthrough feel unique. The developers have a proven track record of delivering polished, high-quality Subnautica content, so the risk of the game being broken on launch is extremely low compared to other big-budget indie releases.
I pre ordered the deluxe edition myself, because I’ve already put over 300 hours into the first two games, and I want to get into the closed beta to help test the new multiplayer mechanics. That said, I wouldn’t recommend the deluxe edition to anyone who doesn’t think they’ll play enough to get through both DLC expansions. It’s only a good deal if you know you’ll get use out of all the included content.
At the end of the day, the choice to lock in a Subnautica 2 pre order comes down to your budget, playstyle, and how excited you are for the sequel. You don’t have to feel pressured to pre order just because all your friends are doing it, but if you know you’re going to play the game as soon as it comes out, you’ll get some nice extra perks for buying early. Take a minute to go over the edition differences and double check the store listing for your platform, and you’ll end up with exactly what you need to enjoy your time diving into the new alien ocean world.
