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Subnautica 2 vs Assassin Creed Shadows
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| shopping_cart Where to Buy | |
| info General Information | |
| Release Date | |
| May 14, 2026 | Mar 20, 2025 |
| Developer | |
| Unknown Worlds Entertainment | Ubisoft Quebec (Lead Studio, with support from other Ubisoft studios) |
| Publisher | |
| Krafton | Ubisoft |
| Genre(s) | |
| Survival, Action-Adventure, Open World | Action-Adventure, Open World, RPG, Stealth |
| Engine | |
| Unreal Engine 5 | Latest version of Anvil engine |
| stars Ratings & Price | |
| Content Rating | |
| Teen | PEGI 18 (ESRB M for Mature equivalent expected - C |
| Avg. User Rating | |
| 4.6 / 5.0 | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Current Price (USD) | |
| $29.99 | $69.99 |
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| sports_esports Gameplay & Mechanics | |
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| colorize Combat & Gear | |
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| trending_up Progression & Upgrades | |
| Skills & Progression | |
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Progression in Subnautica 2 is driven by a deep, rewarding crafting and upgrade system rather than traditional character leveling. You begin with a basic fabricator and a survival knife, scrounging for titanium and organic materials to craft essential life-support gear. As you scan fragments of destroyed Alterra technology scattered across the ocean floor, you unlock blueprints for advanced equipment. Key upgrades include high-capacity O2 tanks, thermal-resistant diving suits, and reinforced depth modules for your vehicles. The base-building aspect has been massively expanded; players can now construct intricate underwater habitats complete with functional dive elevators, multi-tier moonpools, and automated resource gatherers. Co-op integration means that upgrades can be shared or specialized, allowing one player to focus on base engineering while another upgrades their combat and exploration tools. Mastery of the tech tree is the only way to conquer the abyssal depths. |
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| public World & Exploration | |
| World & Level Design | |
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Subnautica 2 introduces a map significantly larger and denser than its predecessors, fully leveraging the power of Unreal Engine 5. The underwater topography is designed with extreme verticality in mind, featuring sprawling shallow coral reefs that serve as safe havens, giving way to plunging, lightless trenches where the true horrors lie. Biomes are incredibly diverse, featuring dense kelp-like forests, volcanic thermal vents, and bioluminescent crystalline caves that provide essential resources. The transition between these zones is seamless, requiring players to constantly upgrade their pressure suits and submersibles to survive the crushing depths. New environmental hazards, such as shifting underwater currents, toxic brine pools, and sudden temperature drops, make map traversal a puzzle in itself. The map also includes intricate cavern systems and alien facilities hidden deep beneath the sea floor, encouraging meticulous exploration while instilling a constant sense of claustrophobia and thalassophobia. |
The open world of Feudal Japan in Assassin's Creed Shadows is described as comparable in size to that of Assassin's Creed Origins (approximately 80km²). It features diverse regions including spectacular castle towns, bustling ports, peaceful shrines, and pastoral landscapes across central Japan. The world is designed with a more realistic scale for mountains and castles, and features dynamic weather systems and changing seasons that can affect gameplay (e.g., ponds freezing over). |
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| book Story & Characters | |
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| people Multiplayer | |
| Multiplayer Details | |
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Subnautica 2 completely revolutionizes the franchise by introducing fully integrated, but entirely optional, 4-player cooperative multiplayer. Built from the ground up for multiplayer functionality, the game utilizes a drop-in/drop-out system where friends can join your hosted world at any time. There are no multiplayer-exclusive features; the entire narrative campaign and all base-building mechanics are accessible whether you are solo or grouped. Co-op gameplay allows for synergistic survival: players can operate multi-station submersibles together, coordinate complex resource-gathering expeditions, and utilize new mechanics like the expanded dive elevators. The developers have brilliantly blended first-person and third-person animations, ensuring that watching your friends swim, build, and panic feels natural and immersive. However, for purists who prefer the crushing isolation of the original game, the solo experience remains perfectly intact and highly recommended. |
Assassin's Creed Shadows is a single-player experience. It does not feature any co-op or competitive multiplayer modes at launch. Ubisoft is developing a separate standalone multiplayer Assassin's Creed experience codenamed 'Project Invictus'. |
| extension Editions & DLC | |
| Available Editions | |
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Subnautica 2 launches initially into Early Access on May 14, 2026, across PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) and Xbox Series X/S. The Early Access edition is priced very competitively at $29.99, providing players with the core survival experience, initial biomes, and fully functional 4-player co-op from day one. Unknown Worlds Entertainment has been explicitly clear regarding their monetization strategy: despite confusing reports from publisher Krafton, the game is absolutely not a 'Games-as-a-Service' title. There are zero battle passes, no seasonal subscriptions, and no microtransaction stores for crucial gameplay elements. Instead, the developers are adopting the same highly praised model used in previous games: a flat entry fee followed by years of continuous, massive free updates that expand the story, add new leviathans, and refine mechanics based heavily on community feedback during the Early Access phase. |
Multiple editions are available: Standard Edition ($69.99 USD), Digital Deluxe Edition ($89.99 USD - includes Sekiryu Character Pack for Naoe and Yasuke, Sekiryu Hideout Pack, 5 skill points, and digital artbook/soundtrack filter in Photo Mode), Gold Edition (includes base game and Season Pass with two upcoming expansions), and Ultimate Edition (includes base game, Season Pass, Ultimate Pack with Sekiryu Character/Hideout Packs, and digital artbook/soundtrack filter). A Collector's Edition ($299.99 USD for PS5/Xbox) includes Ultimate Edition content, steelbook, Naoe & Yasuke diorama statue, artbook, Naoe's katana tsuba replica, world map, and creed wall scroll. |
| Post-Launch Content / DLC | |
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The Early Access period for Subnautica 2, projected to last between two to three years, acts as a continuous stream of post-launch content. Unknown Worlds has laid out a comprehensive roadmap detailing major biome additions, vehicle introductions, and narrative expansions. The very first major post-launch update will introduce 'The Collector,' a massive, terrifying squid leviathan, and open up its abyssal lair for players brave enough to explore it. Future updates will progressively unlock the mysteries of the rogue CICADA AI and introduce new tiers of base-building components. The developer has firmly rejected the 'live service' moniker; all of these massive content drops will be entirely free for anyone who owns the base game. Paid DLC expansions, similar to 'Below Zero,' will only be considered years after the 1.0 release is fully polished and delivered. |
A Year 1 roadmap has been revealed, featuring free content like new story quests (e.g., 'The Works of Luis Frois'), parkour system enhancements, Photo Mode updates, and New Game+. A major paid expansion titled 'Claws of Awaji' is planned for late 2025, offering over 10 hours of new content on the island of Awaji with new enemies and a Bō staff weapon for Naoe. This expansion is included in the Gold and Ultimate Editions (via Season Pass) or can be purchased separately. Ubisoft is not using a traditional season pass model but focusing on standalone expansions and free updates. |
| help_outline FAQ | |
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| build Technical Details | |
| Graphics & Visual Fidelity | |
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Subnautica 2 abandons the Unity engine of its predecessors in favor of a full leap to Unreal Engine 5, resulting in a staggering generational jump in graphical fidelity. The implementation of UE5's Lumen global illumination completely transforms underwater lighting; sunlight realistically diffuses and scatters through the water column, creating authentic depth and darkness in the abyssal zones. Bioluminescent flora and fauna cast dynamic, terrifying shadows across the ocean floor. The Nanite geometry system allows for incredibly dense coral reefs and intricate alien ruins without suffering from texture pop-in. Fluid dynamics have been entirely rewritten, meaning water displacement, bubble physics, and vehicle wakes look remarkably realistic. The volumetric fog effectively simulates the terrifying murkiness of the deep ocean, ensuring that you never truly know what is lurking just beyond your field of vision. |
Powered by an updated version of the Anvil engine, Assassin's Creed Shadows aims for a visually stunning depiction of Feudal Japan. Features include detailed environments, realistic character models, dynamic weather systems, changing seasons impacting the world, and advanced lighting. Supports Ray Traced Global Illumination and Reflections, ultra-wide resolutions, uncapped framerate, and various upscalers (DLSS 3.7, FSR 3.1, XeSS 2). |
| Audio & Soundtrack | |
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Audio is the most critical element of terror and immersion in Subnautica 2. The soundscape is meticulously crafted to exploit the human fear of the unseen deep. Ambient audio shifts dynamically based on depth and biome; the comforting sounds of shallow water splashing give way to oppressive, low-frequency hums and the groaning of metal under immense pressure as you descend. The roar of a distant leviathan is directionally mapped using advanced spatial audio, creating a sense of dread long before the creature appears on screen. The soundtrack seamlessly blends atmospheric synth-wave with tense, pulsating orchestral scores that react to player actions, such as entering a new biome or triggering an aggressive predator. The voice acting for the rogue CICADA AI adds a chilling, psychological layer to the isolation, making the auditory experience an absolute masterpiece. |
Features an original score that blends traditional Japanese instrumentation with orchestral arrangements to evoke the atmosphere of Feudal Japan. Sound design emphasizes environmental realism, weather effects, and distinct combat sounds for each weapon and character. |
| User Interface (UI/UX) | |
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The User Interface in Subnautica 2 remains highly diegetic, utilizing the player's PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) as the central hub for inventory management, blueprints, and lore databanks. The HUD is designed to be as minimalist as possible, ensuring the breathtaking underwater vistas of Unreal Engine 5 are never obscured. Health, oxygen, hunger, and thirst meters sit discreetly in the corner, with dynamic visual and audio warnings triggering as levels deplete. The quick-slot system has been refined to allow for faster, more intuitive tool swapping, which is crucial during sudden leviathan attacks. Base building menus have received a massive overhaul, featuring a holographic projection system that allows players to visualize and snap together complex habitat modules before committing resources. Accessibility options also allow for extensive UI scaling and colorblind modes to accommodate all players. |
The UI is an evolution of modern Assassin's Creed games, providing clear information on quests, character status, abilities, and world interactions. Features an 'Immersive Mode' for reduced UI. Supports multilingual voice acting and subtitles. Includes a Photo Mode with various filters and customization options. |
| Accessibility Options | |
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Unknown Worlds has made significant strides in ensuring Subnautica 2 is accessible to a wide audience without compromising its survival mechanics. The game features highly customizable difficulty settings; players can toggle hunger and thirst requirements independently of oxygen constraints, or utilize a full Creative Mode to focus purely on base building without fear of death. Subtitles are robust, offering speaker identification, size scaling, and background opacity adjustments. For players with thalassophobia, there are options to adjust the water's clarity and reduce the intensity of sudden predator jump-scares, though the developers note this fundamentally alters the intended experience. Comprehensive colorblind filters adjust the UI and important resource nodes to ensure visibility, and full control remapping is available on both keyboards and controllers to accommodate various physical mobility needs. |
Ubisoft typically includes a range of accessibility options in their titles, such as customizable controls, subtitle and caption adjustments, audio cues, gameplay assists (e.g., aim assist, navigation aids), and visual filters. Specific details for Shadows include extensive customization options in the settings menu. |
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| launchWatch | launchWatch |
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| launchView | launchView |
| settings_applications System Requirements | |
| 1080p (Full HD) - Recommended (High Settings, 60 FPS) CPU: Higher single-core speed provides better frame pacing. CPU (Laptop): Solid 8-core mobile CPU for stable physics. GPU: Sufficient for 1080p 60fps with moderate volumetric settings. GPU (Laptop): Comfortably handles 1080p high with DLSS Quality. RAM: Ideal for smooth texture streaming and base building. Storage: Fast loading and seamless biome transitions. | |
memoryCPU: Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i7-11800H laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA RTX 3060 Mobile (85W+) layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 50 GB NVMe SSD | — |
| 1080p (Full HD) - Recommended (Target: 1080p, 60 FPS, Medium Preset) (Medium Preset, Upscaling (DLSS/FSR/XeSS 'Quality' or 'Balanced') likely needed.) CPU: Recommended desktop CPU. CPU (Laptop): Recommended laptop CPU for a smooth 1080p/60FPS experience. GPU: Recommended desktop GPU. GPU (Laptop): Targets ~60 FPS at 1080p Medium/High. **Ensure high TGP for NVIDIA cards.** 8GB VRAM is strongly recommended. Upscaling will significantly aid in achieving stable framerates. RAM: 16GB RAM in dual-channel. | |
| — | memoryCPU: Intel Core i5-11600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti (8GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT (12GB) or Intel Arc B580 (12GB, ReBAR ON) laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i7-11800H / AMD Ryzen 7 5800H or newer equivalent performance mobile CPUs. laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop (8GB, High TGP), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop (8GB, High TGP); OR AMD Radeon RX 6700M (10GB), AMD Radeon RX 6800S (8GB). layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 115 GB - 130 GB available space (SSD Mandatory) |
| 1080p (Full HD) - Minimum (Target: 1080p, 30 FPS, Low Preset) (Low Preset, Upscaling may be needed for stable 30 FPS.) CPU: Minimum desktop CPU. CPU (Laptop): Estimated laptop CPU to avoid severe bottlenecks at this tier. Performance varies by laptop design. GPU: Minimum desktop GPU. GPU (Laptop): Targets ~30 FPS at 1080p Low. **Upscaling (DLSS/FSR/XeSS 'Performance') is highly recommended.** 6GB VRAM is a practical minimum for laptops; 4GB VRAM cards will likely face issues. TGP and cooling are critical. RAM: Minimum RAM, dual-channel configuration is essential. | |
| — | memoryCPU: Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 (8GB) or AMD Radeon RX 5700 (8GB) or Intel Arc A580 (8GB, ReBAR ON) laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i7-9750H / AMD Ryzen 5 4600H or newer equivalent mobile CPUs. laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Mobile (6GB, High TGP), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop (4GB, High TGP - may struggle, 6GB version better); OR AMD Radeon RX 5600M (6GB), AMD Radeon RX 6600S. An RTX 3060 Laptop (6GB, lower TGP) could also fit here. layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 115 GB - 130 GB available space (SSD Mandatory) |
| 1080p (Full HD) - Minimum (Low Settings, 30 FPS) CPU: Requires 6 cores to handle basic AI and physics calculations. CPU (Laptop): Entry-level mobile processors can handle the game at 30 FPS. GPU: Minimum 6GB VRAM needed for lower texture pools. GPU (Laptop): Will require DLSS to maintain smooth framerates. RAM: Absolute minimum to run the OS and game; expect some stuttering. Storage: HDD not supported due to high streaming demands. | |
memoryCPU: Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i5-10300H laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA RTX 3050 Mobile (60W+) layersRAM: 8 GB saveStorage (Tier): 50 GB SSD | — |
| 1440p (QHD/2K) - Enthusiast (Target: 1440p, 60 FPS, High Preset) (High Preset, Upscaling (DLSS/FSR/XeSS 'Quality' or 'Balanced') recommended.) CPU: Listed desktop CPU. A stronger CPU is advised for consistency at 1440p High. CPU (Laptop): High-performance laptop CPU crucial for 1440p gaming to avoid bottlenecks. GPU: Desktop GPU for 1440p High. GPU (Laptop): Targets ~60 FPS at 1440p High. **Max TGP versions and excellent cooling are essential.** 8GB VRAM (RTX 4070 Laptop) is the minimum, 10GB+ is ideal. Upscaling (DLSS/FSR/XeSS 'Balanced' or 'Performance') will likely be necessary. RAM: 16GB is listed, but 32GB is highly recommended for smoother 1440p gameplay. | |
| — | memoryCPU: Intel Core i5-11600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X (Same as 1080p/60 Rec, but higher-end CPU like i7-12700K/Ryzen 7 5800X would be better) developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 (10GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (16GB) laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i7-12700H / AMD Ryzen 7 6800H or newer high-performance mobile CPUs (e.g., Intel HX series, AMD HX/HS series). laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop (16GB, Max TGP), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop (8GB, Max TGP), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop (12GB, Max TGP); OR AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT (12GB), AMD Radeon RX 7900S. layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 115 GB - 130 GB available space (SSD Mandatory) |
| 1440p (QHD/2K) - Recommended (High Settings, 60 FPS) CPU: Modern architecture reduces bottlenecks. CPU (Laptop): Provides excellent multi-core performance. GPU: Needed to push 1440p resolution alongside UE5 features. GPU (Laptop): Can sustain 1440p using upscaling technologies. RAM: Standard requirement for modern gaming. Storage: Crucial for asset streaming at higher resolutions. | |
memoryCPU: Intel Core i5-12400F or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT laptop_macCPU (L): AMD Ryzen 7 6800H laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti Mobile (115W+) layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 50 GB NVMe SSD | — |
| 2160p (UHD/4K) - Ultra (Epic Settings, 60 FPS) CPU: Top-tier CPUs needed to eliminate any stuttering. CPU (Laptop): Desktop-class mobile replacement processor. GPU: Mandatory for 4K rendering with Lumen enabled. GPU (Laptop): The only mobile GPU capable of native 4K Ultra in UE5. RAM: Ensures no memory swapping occurs during massive base loads. Storage: Maximum bandwidth for instant texture loads. | |
memoryCPU: Intel Core i7-13700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i9-13900HX laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA RTX 4090 Mobile (175W) layersRAM: 32 GB saveStorage (Tier): 50 GB Gen 4 NVMe SSD | — |
| 2160p (UHD/4K) - Enthusiast (Target: 4K, 60 FPS, High Preset) (High Preset, Upscaling (DLSS/FSR/XeSS 'Performance' or 'Ultra Performance') essential.) CPU: High-end desktop CPU for 4K. CPU (Laptop): Flagship laptop CPUs required to support 4K gaming attempts. GPU: High-end desktop GPU for 4K. GPU (Laptop): Only the absolute top-tier laptop GPUs with maximum TGP and exceptional cooling can attempt 4K. **Expect to use DLSS/FSR in 'Ultra Performance' mode.** Native 4K at high settings and 60 FPS is generally beyond current laptop capabilities for such demanding titles. RAM: 32GB RAM is strongly recommended for 4K gaming. | |
| — | memoryCPU: Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER (16GB) or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT (20GB) laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i9-12900HX / AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX or newer flagship mobile CPUs (e.g., Intel 13th/14th Gen HX, AMD Ryzen 7000/8000 HX series). laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop (16GB, Max TGP). Even then, 4K/60FPS High will be extremely challenging and heavily reliant on aggressive upscaling. layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 115 GB - 130 GB available space (SSD Mandatory) |
| save Overall Storage | |
| Spec: 50 GB Available Space Note: An NVMe SSD is strongly recommended to eliminate texture streaming hitches when loading new biomes. Type: Unknown | Spec: 115 GB - 130 GB available space (SSD Mandatory) Note: An SSD is required for installation and optimal performance due to the large open world and detailed assets. NVMe SSD recommended for faster load times. Type: SSD |
| desktop_windows Operating System | |
| Spec: Windows 10/11 64-bit Explanation: Required to handle modern DirectX 12 Ultimate APIs and memory allocation for UE5. | Spec: Windows 10 / Windows 11 (64-bit versions only) Explanation: A 64-bit version of Windows 10 or Windows 11 is mandatory. |
| gamepad DirectX Version | |
| Spec: DirectX 12 Explanation: Essential for Unreal Engine 5 features like Lumen and Nanite. | N/A |
| info_outline Other Game Notes | |
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| laptop Laptop Considerations | |
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info_outline Feature details based on available data. System requirements and performance estimates may vary.
laptop_chromebook Laptop Recommendations
Common Recommendations (Handles All Compared Games)
For Subnautica 2 Specifically
For Assassin Creed Shadows Specifically
info_outline Laptop recommendations are estimates based on available component benchmarks and game requirements. Actual performance may vary depending on settings, drivers, cooling, power limits, etc. Prices and availability subject to change. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.