Summer Research Remnants: Subnautica: Below Zero

Subnautica: Below Zero had similar controls to the original Subnautica, but was a smaller-scale game with more emphasis on plot (and even had other human characters). Having come out much later than Subnautica, Below Zero also added/refined the existing game mechanics based on player input (for example, you can now pin recipes of interest so you have constant reminders about which materials you need to find). The increased familiarity and tighter controls meant that I enjoyed Below Zero more than Subnautica, but only for the first hour. The story is still optional besides the opening sequence and it begins on land (tho there’s an on-land hypothermia mechanic very similar to the oxygen mechanic when underwater, so now there’s an added arbitrary timer that means the only havens are shelters developed by the player to accommodate their needs—this may be to incentivize players to build bases and not be idle, but just seems more inconvenient than anything else). The underwater environment is more brightly colored/light blue and bioluminescent as opposed to the greenish teal of the first game, with both familiar and new creatures inhabiting the planet. I also entered the game having an idea of what tools I wanted to start out with and what supplies I needed to look around for, which may have increased my receipt ability to the game. I ended that playthrough with a playtime of approximately 2 hours, but the hyperfixation still wasn’t kicking in. Instead, the only game I found myself avidly returning to was The Last Campfire.