If You Liked Subnautica, Then You Might Like These Games!

Greeting fellow aliens! We are back with another installment of “If you liked this game, then you might like these games”! Though, this time we’re diving into the survival-crafting genre, pun absolutely intended there because we’re going to be looking ahead at both Subnautica and it's successor Subnautica 2! 

The survival-crafting genre is packed with some incredible gaming experiences. One of the most notable, and one that also spiked the Google searches for ‘thalassophobia’ is none other than Subnautica itself! An absolute staple in anyone’s library, Subnautica took the genre 40,000 leagues under the sea with incredible biomes, alien aquatic life, and a story that kept you going deeper and deeper for that next distress signal. Personally, my only qualm with Subnautica is that it is not multiplayer. I love multiplayer, I love the genre, but when the two don’t come together, it’s a tough go.  

All that changes now though with Subnautica 2! If you haven’t heard, Subnautica 2 is currently slated to come out sometime this year and it is set to be released with multiplayer! According to the internet, there will be co-op available for up to three other players! The developers do state that while this is great and all, the game is not multiplayer-focused, and for me, that is a-okay! All I care about is that I have a buddy with me when I am in the dark abyss.  

With that, we’re using both Subnautica as our guiding light in the abyss to find other games in this incredible genre! Just so we all can gear up and improve our skills for the inevitable dive back into the waters when Subnautica 2 is released, of course! Let’s take a look! 
 

V Rising 
 

Huge fan of V Rising as it combines survival crafting with vampiric action in a beautifully gothic open world. Players awaken as weakened vampires and must build their strength by exploring the dangerous landscape of Vardoran. Combat is fast-paced and features a variety of weapons and magical abilities, encouraging players to develop unique playstyles. Alongside an interesting boss progression system that unlocks new abilities and crafting! 

One of the game’s standout features is its dynamic day-night cycle, where sunlight poses a deadly threat, forcing players to strategize their movements and hunts accordingly. Multiplayer elements allow players to form clans, raid enemy castles, or engage in PvP combat, adding tension and unpredictability to the experience. With an emphasis on exploration, blood consumption, and castle management, V Rising offers a captivating and challenging journey for survival enthusiasts and vampire lore lovers alike. 
 

Sunkenland 
 

Of course we have to pick another water-based journey! But no joke Sunkenland, or as I call it, Sink City, is a gem and deserves love. Sunkenland is a survival crafting game set in a post-apocalyptic world submerged beneath rising ocean waters. Players navigate a flooded landscape filled with remnants of civilization, scavenging for vital resources to stay alive. 

Exploration is huge and very fun, with players diving into sunken cities and shipwrecks to find rare materials and blueprints. Threats include environmental hazards, aggressive wildlife, and rival survivors, creating a tense atmosphere where survival is never guaranteed. Multiplayer co-op adds a social dynamic, allowing players to collaborate on base-building, share resources, and fend off attacks together. Sunkenland’s unique blend of aquatic survival, exploration, cooperative gameplay, and constant fresh updates makes it a great addition to anyone's library!
 

Enshrouded 
 

Enshrouded is an open-world survival RPG set in a beautifully crafted fantasy realm plagued by a mysterious corruption known as "The Shroud." Players awaken as a Flameborn, tasked with restoring the land and uncovering its ancient secrets. Survival mechanics blend seamlessly with RPG elements, including skill progression and customizable character builds. Players can craft powerful weapons, fortify settlements, and recruit allies to fend off The Shroud's encroaching threats. Players traverse lush forests, deep caverns, and ruined cities, each filled with hidden treasures and formidable enemies. 

The game also features cooperative multiplayer, allowing up to 16 players to band together for epic adventures, complex builds, and massive battles. With its blend of survival mechanics, deep RPG systems, and a vast, dynamic world, Enshrouded offers a rich and immersive experience for fantasy survival enthusiasts. 
 

Valheim
 

Valheim is in my top 3 crafting-survival games and it probably is because it's a Norse-inspired survival and exploration game set in a vast, procedurally generated world filled with mythological creatures and treacherous landscapes. Players take on the role of a fallen Viking tasked with proving their worth to the gods by vanquishing powerful enemies and restoring peace to the realm. 

Players must harvest materials to forge weapons, construct shelters, and upgrade armor. Survival is key, with cooking, farming, and maintaining stamina essential for thriving in the wild. Combat is dynamic, offering a variety of melee and ranged weapons to battle everything from trolls to fearsome bosses. 

Exploration is integral to the Valheim experience, with biomes ranging from serene meadows to perilous swamps and snowy mountains, each presenting unique challenges and resources. Cooperative multiplayer supports up to 10 players, allowing friends to build, explore, and conquer together. Valheim's blend of survival elements, challenging combat, and vast open-world exploration has earned it a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim in the gaming community. 
 

Raft 
 

Not just one water-based adventure, but two! Although Raft is so unique and actually deserved all its praise. The game is a survival adventure set on the vast, open ocean where players must navigate, build, and endure in a relentless aquatic world. Stranded on a small, wooden raft, players begin with nothing but a hook to scavenge debris floating by. Resource collection is dynamic and engaging, with players fishing for barrels, planks, and other vital materials while avoiding shark attacks. Crafting your raft to accommodate cooking stations, water purifiers, and defensive structures to ward off threats and keep those water and hunger meters full!

Raft is wildly engaging with islands scattered across the ocean offering rare materials, secrets, and dangerous wildlife encounters. Cooperative multiplayer allows friends to team up, sharing tasks and enhancing the survival experience!

Astroneer 
 

ASTRONEER is an open-world space exploration and crafting game where players venture across vibrant, procedurally generated planets. Set during the 25th-century intergalactic gold rush, players take on the role of daring astronauts tasked with gathering resources, building bases, and uncovering planetary mysteries. The game offers a sandbox-style experience focused on creativity, cooperation, and survival. 

The core gameplay loop revolves around harvesting resources using a Terrain Tool, crafting advanced technology, and expanding base operations. Players shape the environment in creative ways, digging tunnels, forming landscapes, and constructing elaborate bases. The game's oxygen management system adds a survival element, requiring careful planning and tether networks for sustained exploration. 

Exploration is vast and rewarding, with diverse biomes, unique alien flora, and hidden artifacts scattered across various planets. Cooperative multiplayer allows up to four players to collaborate, streamlining base-building and exploration tasks. With its charming art style, intuitive crafting system, and expansive universe, ASTRONEER delivers a captivating space-faring adventure brimming with possibilities. 
 

Here we are again! At the end of a list of some incredible games! If you have played these games, let us know what your thoughts are in the comments below! Let's chat about these ones and others that didn't make the list!