4 Sandbox games like Subnautica that you should try

The resemblance to Subnautica is about as close as this list gets: they line up on genre, combat and game mode. The common ground extends to base building and a first-person view.

The resemblance to Subnautica is about as close as this list gets: they line up on genre, combat and tone. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and multiplayer gameplay. The distance is in game mode and setting — its own ground is co-op play.

What brings it close to Subnautica is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat, and the two track each other on genre, combat and world. To that it adds crafting mechanics and a first-person view. They part company on tone and game mode: this one brings dark, oppressive atmosphere and co-op play.

On paper it is what Subnautica is — strong narrative focus, open world exploration and horror setting — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. They part company on visuals and tone: this one brings dark, oppressive atmosphere and post-apocalyptic world.