If you’ve spent dozens of hours navigating the eerie, bioluminescent depths of the original Subnautica, you’ve probably been waiting for news of the next installment for years. The upcoming sequel promises bigger biomes, more terrifying deep-sea creatures, and a brand new survival story that pushes the boundaries of the franchise’s signature tense, exploratory gameplay. Right now, one of the biggest questions on every fan’s mind is what the Subnautica 2 preorder process looks like, and whether locking in a copy ahead of launch is actually worth the cost. I’ve dug through all the official announcements, cross-referenced retailer listings, and even talked to other long-time Subnautica community members to pull together all the info you need before you click that buy button.
What’s Included in Standard Subnautica 2 Preorder Packages?
The standard preorder tier is the most accessible option for most players, and it comes with a handful of exclusive perks that don’t add any extra cost to the base game price. First, you get the exclusive preorder-only Glowfin Seamoth skin, a bright, bioluminescent wrap for your signature vehicle that makes it easier to spot in dark, deep-sea biomes. You also get early access to the first story prologue 72 hours before the full game launches, so you can start exploring the new planet a full three days before players who buy on launch day.
The third standard preorder perk is a digital art book sampler with 20+ pages of concept art for new creatures, biomes, and tools that didn’t make it into the final game. The standard Subnautica 2 preorder is priced the exact same as the launch copy will be, so there’s zero extra cost for the added perks if you know you want to play the game day one. Many fans assume preorders always cost more, but that’s not the case here, which is a nice change from a lot of big AAA game releases lately. The only catch is that the preorder exclusive cosmetics will not be available for purchase separately after launch, so if you want the Glowfin Seamoth skin, you have to buy before launch day.
Differences Between Standard and Deluxe Preorder Editions
If you’re a bigger fan of the franchise, you might be considering the deluxe preorder tier, which costs $20 more than the standard edition. The first extra perk is the full 100+ page digital art book, which includes behind-the-scenes commentary from the dev team about how they designed the new 4x bigger map and more dynamic creature AI. You also get the full original soundtrack, with 30+ new tracks from the same composer who worked on the original Subnautica and Below Zero.
You’ll also unlock exclusive underwater base building skins that let you customize your habitat with bioluminescent trim, coral-inspired wall textures, and custom glass panels that tint the light coming in from the ocean. The deluxe tier also comes with a bonus playable side story that’s set 2 years before the main game’s plot, and priority access to the game’s closed multiplayer beta when it launches later next year. The bonus side story included in the deluxe edition is only about 3 hours long, but it adds a lot of context to the main game’s plot, including backstory for the new protagonist and the reason you’re stranded on the new alien ocean planet. For players who care deeply about the Subnautica lore, that alone might be worth the extra $20. But if you only care about the core survival gameplay and don’t pay much attention to story, you can safely skip the deluxe edition without missing anything important.
Perks of Preordering From Different Retailers
On top of the official preorder perks from the dev team, different retailers are offering their own exclusive bonuses to encourage players to buy from them. I’ve compared all the major listings to break down the best deals depending on what you care about most:
- Official developer store: Gets you an exclusive in-game pet creature (a tiny, friendly glow squid that follows you around and lights up dark caves) and a free copy of the original Subnautica if you don’t already own it.
- Major console storefronts: Gives you 10% off if you have an active subscription to their premium membership programs, plus automatic pre-load 3 days before launch so you can start playing the second the game goes live.
- Physical game retailers: Includes a double-sided printed map of the new game’s full ocean map and a set of collectible sticker sheets featuring new creatures and biomes, perfect for sticking to your laptop or console.
- Third-party digital key sites: Offer 5-15% discount codes, but make sure you only buy from verified, trusted sellers to avoid fake or revoked keys that won’t work on launch day.
That means you don’t have to stick to the first retailer you see to get the best deal. If you care most about exclusive in-game content, the official store is the clear winner. If you want a physical copy with extra swag, your local game shop is the way to go. Just be wary of any listings that promise perks that aren’t mentioned on the official Subnautica site, as those are likely scams or mislisted items that won’t actually be delivered when the game launches.
Is a Subnautica 2 Preorder Right for You?
Even with all the cool perks, preordering isn’t the right call for everyone. If you’re a diehard fan who’s already replayed the original and Below Zero multiple times, you’ll almost certainly get your money’s worth, especially since the standard preorder doesn’t cost extra and gets you early access to the prologue. I’ve been playing the franchise for 8 years now, and I already put my preorder in last month because I know I’ll get 100+ hours of playtime out of the sequel.
But if you’re new to the franchise, or you usually wait for post-launch patches to fix bugs, you might want to hold off. The first few weeks of any survival game launch usually come with minor bugs and performance issues, so waiting a month or two after launch will let you play a more polished version, and you might even catch a 10-20% sale. Also, note that none of the preorder perks give you a gameplay advantage, they’re all cosmetic or story related, so you won’t miss out on any core game content if you wait to buy later. Another thing to consider is if you have a PC that meets the game’s recommended system requirements. If you’re not sure if your setup can run the game smoothly, it’s better to wait for launch day performance tests from other players before you spend your money. There’s no point in preordering a game you can’t even run properly, after all.
At the end of the day, the Subnautica 2 preorder is a great pick for long-time fans who want to jump into the action as early as possible and get exclusive cosmetic content for no extra cost. If you’re on the fence, you can always wait for official launch gameplay footage and reviews to drop before you make your decision, and you won’t miss out on any of the core survival or exploration gameplay that makes the franchise so beloved. Whatever you choose, the next installment of Subnautica is shaping up to be one of the most exciting underwater survival releases in years, and I can’t wait to dive in alongside the rest of the community.
