9 Games with a sci-fi setting 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 genre is the same as Subnautica’s, and with it strong narrative focus, melee combat and horror setting. To that it adds a first-person view and single-player focus. They part company on visuals and tone: this one brings dark, oppressive atmosphere and an isometric view.

Same family as Subnautica: strong narrative focus, melee combat and horror setting. The common ground extends to multiplayer gameplay. Where the two diverge is visuals and tone: dark, oppressive atmosphere and co-op play.

Genre puts it alongside Subnautica, and so does strong narrative focus, melee combat and horror setting. The common ground extends to crafting mechanics and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and progression: dark, oppressive atmosphere and ranged combat.

The genre is the same as Subnautica’s, and with it strong narrative focus, melee combat and horror setting. Both also lean on a first-person view and single-player focus. The distance is in combat and tone — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and stealth mechanics.

On paper it is what Subnautica is — strong narrative focus, melee combat and horror setting — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. Both also lean on multiplayer gameplay. The distance is in world and progression — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and procedural generation.

The genre is the same as Subnautica’s, and with it strong narrative focus, melee combat and horror setting. The common ground extends to single-player focus. Where the two diverge is world and visuals: dark, oppressive atmosphere and linear, story-driven structure.

Its point of contact with Subnautica is survival mechanics, strong narrative focus and melee combat. To that it adds single-player focus and a sci-fi setting. They part company on visuals and genre: this one brings puzzle design and dark, oppressive atmosphere.

Its point of contact with Subnautica is survival mechanics, strong narrative focus and melee combat. To that it adds a sci-fi setting and single-player focus. They part company on progression and setting: this one brings puzzle design and a space setting.