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One of the biggest discussions emerging from Subnautica 2's tsunami of an early access launch is the debate over combat. Just a few days ago, we reported that developer Unknown Worlds says players "are here to exist on this planet, not dominate it." Still, that's not stopped many players from demanding the means to fight back the horrifying sea beasts lurking below the waves.
In a new blog post, the developers spoke on three areas of feedback the game has received so far. Of course, this begins with creatures and combat.
Honestly, this doesn't particularly surprise me. I think most players have completely overlooked just how strong the distraction flares can be—they basically pacify any creature. It's more or less your only tool of self-defence early on, though, until you start unlocking a few Biomods, like Electric Discharge or Camouflage.
And then there's going fisticuffs with fish. "We have heard the strong request for more direct ways to deal with hostile creatures, including the ability to kill them," the devs explain. "We understand where that request is coming from. When avoidance and mitigation tools do not feel effective, it is natural for players to want a more decisive solution."
"Our current direction is not based on judging players who want combat, and it is not because we think those players are wrong. Subnautica has always been built around vulnerability, exploration, and survival rather than traditional weapon-based combat. We believe that this is part of what makes the game unique."
So no, Unknown Worlds has reaffirmed that creature combat isn't on the bingo cards, and that's a position I can get behind. These sea monsters are only as terrifying as they are because there's little I can do against them but come prepared with flares and get outta dodge when things get hairy. But right now, encounters are more than a little janky, and that's definitely something developers need to address—just not, you know, with guns.
The last point Unknown Worlds addresses is how it's going to handle the early access period, explaining that it's not just about collecting bug reports: "We will not always be able to make every requested change, but we do have a responsibility to listen carefully, explain our decisions respectfully, and show through our actions that player feedback is shaping the game."
Some of those changes and improvements aimed at community concerns will arrive "in the coming weeks".
