Building bases in Subnautica 2 is more flexible than ever

A new developer video for Subnautica 2 has revealed a significant overhaul to the series' base-building mechanics, giving players far greater control over how they design and customize underwater habitats. The presentation, shared by Unknown Worlds Entertainment as part of its ongoing development updates, offers one of the most detailed looks yet at the construction tools planned for the upcoming survival sequel.

Building flexibility

In the developer diary, members of the studio's design and engineering teams outline how the building system has been reworked from the ground up. While the original Subnautica relied heavily on predefined modules that snapped together in specific configurations, the sequel introduces a more flexible approach that allows structures to be shaped more freely. The developers describe the system as a shift toward more "organic" base construction, enabling players to create habitats that feel less like assembled pieces and more like custom-designed structures.

The new tools allow walls, corridors, and rooms to be manipulated with greater precision, encouraging experimentation with layout and form. Rather than being limited to a small set of fixed rooms, players can modify shapes and connect structural elements in a wider variety of ways, opening the door to more creative architectural designs beneath the ocean surface.

The game also features an expanded window system. Instead of relying on standard circular portholes, players can install windows of different sizes and shapes across their bases. These range from smaller geometric openings to larger panoramic panels designed to showcase the surrounding underwater environment, emphasizing the visual spectacle that has long been a hallmark of the series.

Interior customization is also set to play a larger role in the sequel. According to the developers, players will be able to adjust lighting conditions, apply color variations to different parts of their base, and place decorative elements to personalize living spaces. The aim, the team explains, is to make underwater habitats feel more like functional homes rather than purely utilitarian outposts.

The video also touches briefly on cooperative gameplay, another major addition planned for the sequel. Subnautica 2 is expected to support multiplayer for up to four players, allowing groups to collaborate on building projects and expand shared bases together while exploring the alien ocean world.

The system shown in the developer vlog is still a work in progress, and the studio noted that additional building options are planned as development continues. Future updates are expected to introduce more room types and structural pieces, including elements inspired by the original game's iconic habitats.

Built using Unreal Engine 5, Subnautica 2 is currently targeting an early-access release in 2026 for PC and Xbox platforms. As development progresses, the new base-building system appears poised to become one of the sequel's defining features, expanding the creative possibilities of life beneath the waves. If you can't wait to dive into the ocean for a  new underwater adventure, keep track of the cheapest offers for Subnautica 2 with our comparator.