The Biology of Subnautica | Full Documentary

[@blucactus6365]

This documentary has single handedly convinced me that the creators had a thorough interest in animal biology. I love that the creatures found fit certain niches and their evolutionary attributes always had a reason for existing. Thank you for making such an amazing documentary!

[@WhyEveryHandleTaken]

the devs were biologists i think

[@sebastiantamayo1988]

@@WhyEveryHandleTakenthat’s cool asf

[@anaionescu8913]

​@@VARBY-well....it _would_ . The devs are, after all, native to Earth.

[@RafilaWan]

Below Zero went too Earth imo. Base game was decently unique.

[@viktorbirkeland6520]

​@@VARBY-How do you mean? Would you prefer only unrecognisable things, with only unrecognisable traits, that makes no sense to us whatsoever? At that point, why don't you just watch lord of the rings? I'm sure you'd like the ring that makes you somewhat invisible! That's unlike anything we know, so I'm guessing that's what you're after! 😊😅

[@derekdrake8706]

Funny thing is Subnautica wasn't intended to be a horror game, the devs wanted to give people an alien ocean to explore and to make it as immersive as possible. It's just that oceans are terrifying lol. Thy accidentally stumbled upon a near perfect recipe for a horror game with the setting and gameplay mechanics. Lightning in a bottle.

[@thezek6322]

I still don’t get the horror aspect of it, Outlast? Can’t even get past the first part cause of the dark and knowledge that there’s freaky inmates running around. Subnautica? Go into the depths unprotected with all my lights off

[@SergioLeonardoCornejo]

I, personally, don't consider it a horror game. But leviathan encounters are certainly scarier than most situations in recent horror games. Between that and the lack of guidance, I pretty much just explore for resources and build my base.

[@scronchgoose7403]

More terror than horror

[@codyw1023]

all that empty space beneath you ...😰

[@marcoaraiza9381]

No, they definitely went for horror in some parts, like the blood kelp forest

[@ratboyOwO]

I love how any time a fictional creature has an unbelievable trait there is always an ant that has actually evolved that trait

[@capapofa]

🐜🧨

[@theblueincineroar6905]

Allahu Antbar

[@naoeveel]

it's crazy, everytime

[@Man_Aslume]

It all evolve to ant and crab

[@burger3324]

@@theblueincineroar6905 aint no way💀💀💀

[@shigeminotoge4514]

12:05 "listening to them call out to each-other with complex sounds that suggest a surprising amount of intelligence" this is absolutely hilarious when you realise these sounds were recorded by just having the guy scream randomly into the mic, and then slowed it way down.

[@Haze-xr9rc]

"That kind of clever and intricate conversations are these incredible creatures engaging in? Truly a fascinating and intelligent species." "AAAH! EEEH! AUGHHH! EUH!"

[@cevatkokbudak6414]

lmao

[@gillianfleischer5620]

that makes a lot more sense and is hilarious because reefbacks used to scare me cause of their noises when I first started playing.

[@Somebodysgamin]

One thing you forgot about Stalkers is that in their entries, I believe, as well as a Degasi log or two, it mentions that one plausible hypothesis for their liking of metal from the Aurora or just metal in general is that they can grind their teeth against said metal to sharpen them. This hypothesis is also backed by their teeth falling out occasionally when they do it.

[@cevatkokbudak6414]

İs their teeth is a resource? I never had a computer

[@Malazar77]

​@@cevatkokbudak6414 Yes

[@1roman1738]

@@cevatkokbudak6414 Yes they are, stalker teeth can be used to make enameled glass

[@cevatkokbudak6414]

@@1roman1738 Thanks

[@gratefulgamer7907]

It’s possible that stalkers can continuously grow their teeth even after they fall out and the probably have a combo of sharks teeth just falling out naturally and just growing back and the issue with some rodents where their teeth need to constantly be worn down as to not grow too much otherwise it becomes difficult to use them, so the stalkers could use the metals to play and to purposely wear out their teeth to keep them short enough to use and sharp enough to pierce through anything it attempts to attack.

[@Mawjeen]

This series and the game itself helped me realize marine biology is something that im super interested in and im now enrolled in college for it. Thanks so much for everything edit: man yall fr liked this a lot and this blew up. sorry to dissappoint a handful of yall but i flunked out/dropped out of college and am just trying to get back on my feet after a car accident that totaled my car a couple months ago

[@squidpw6493]

That’s amazing. Tell me how it goes, yeah?

[@Mawjeen]

@@squidpw6493 absolutely! I start in the morning

[@spammygspammy]

Marine biology seems like so much fun! I'm interested in being a marine biologist, but I'm still deciding since I'm in my last year of highschool, but hopefully I'll know what I would want to study in college soon. Good luck!!! ☺️

[@herr_dohler]

Nice story, man! I'm happy for you. Good luck on your studies.

[@thewallbruh1400]

so hows it going? did it live up to your expectations

[@ThommyofThenn]

The first time I tried "exploring" the dead zone and ran into a ghost leviathan was one of the most terror inducing moments I've had in any game

[@whonow3486]

He realized what he was doing WASN’T worth it.

[@spamtonwithagun]

If ya go to deaper they get worse

[@ThommyofThenn]

@@spamtonwithagun have you checked out any of the restoration of cut content mods?

[@LockeRobsta]

First time piloting my Cyclops, The Eclipse into the dead zone I see that red blip on the radar, a horrid screech and then that face appear from the murk in my head I remember screaming ALL ENGINES, FULL REVERSE!

[@Grubkiller13579-c]

Warning, entering ecological deadzone. Detecting multiple leviathan class lifeforms. Are you sure what you are doing is worth it?

[@KfrancisArt]

These are starting to feel like real documentaries, love it man.

[@ethanwinters3281]

Yooo this is the barren's creator!

[@nuclearnoob6412]

Yes absolutely

[@KfrancisArt]

@@ethanwinters3281 haha damn my name is out there

[@ethanwinters3281]

@@KfrancisArt yep (totally did not found it by the video)

[@the-under-dog2198]

Yea i also like how he acts like hes actually there such as when he watches the sunset with his spy pengling

[@justsomejerseydevilwithint4606]

12:00 The reefbacks seem to be the first we see of a specific group of Leviathan Species, characterized by long, rear-facing tentacles that are presumably used for motion, a relatively bulky frame, and two claw-like appendages on the front of its underside that appear to work as both strong fins and formidable weapons. There are three leviathan species with such a body plan; The Reefbacks, The Sea Dragons, and the Sea Emperors.

[@Cupcakeboi2000]

thats what i’m saying! great theory

[@I_want_White_Cheddar_Popcorn]

So. In a way. They diverged into Whale Dragon Royalty

[@richardanthony5020]

“Question is, is it friendly?” “Not friendly” Third time I’ve watched this and it still cracks me up. Love listening to these at work, makes the time fly!

[@cevatkokbudak6414]

Timestamp?

[@richardanthony5020]

@@cevatkokbudak641446:24

[@AaronScottLawford]

@@cevatkokbudak6414 46:25

[@Andres.Duran.J]

​46:25 ​@@cevatkokbudak6414

[@cevatkokbudak6414]

@@Andres.Duran.J thanks

[@shep6471]

For some reason, the Sea Emperor's death always strikes my heart like a missile. I tear up every time. They stayed there, alone, for so long waiting, hoping, that something or someone would come along to help their babies. When you finally do, they know they won't make it to see their babies thriving in the shallows, but they are so grateful you've helped. Agh, it just gets me, lol! Thanks to you, the player, the ecosystem is pretty much saved from mass extinction, and it's very impactful. There are very few games that touch my heart like this, and Subnautica actually made me fall more in love with our oceans on Earth! I have a much deeper respect and curiosity for life in our oceans now, and Subnautica's biology, while obviously otherwordly, has a faint semblence of realism in the sense that the creatures' evolutionary paths and traits make SENSE. I feel like this is super hard to accomplish, but the team did an incredible job!

[@tadenzeh-ashley8176]

I feel you, it made me tear up when she died, especially when you could hear her heart stop beating and see her last breath. Watching this video has made me want to study our own planet like this and learn as much as possible about marine biology in earth

[@TheHopperUK]

I just came here from Floydson's playthrough video and I still have tears in my eyes from the ending. I really liked that they didn't make her sound too - human? Too intelligent in a human way? She sounded loving and sweet and hopeful. I love her.

[@primetimehome]

@@siddharthsirvaiya3544also I liked the way they displayed the theme of capitalism with you, now being in billions of debt to the mega corporation for simply trying to survive, they way you are enslaved by them to basically keep working til you die

[@tylerlehr1450]

I'm Klplkk

[@Cebbat_Games]

Although with all the trash, plastic, metal, and other things, we technically killed the crater map. We may have cured a virus, but we basically introduced a new virus

[@Techhunter_Talon]

I love the Sea Emperor. One of the biggest creatures you ever see in the game... but it's non-hostile towards you and intelligent enough that it can communicate with you. Before Al-An in Below Zero, it's the most intelligent creature you ever encounter.

[@immortalkoopah3138]

honestly the one part about the sea emperor that made me cry is finding out she used up the last of her life waiting for someone to help her save her babies and then played with her babies before ultimately passing away after they left

[@tekatokitaarimodota7685]

It's THE biggest creature you can encounter. The second being the adult ghost leviathans in the Dead Zone.

[@BersealiaDreamheart]

@@immortalkoopah3138 You and me both. And I also didn’t like how she was imprisoned in that facility. I think that was cruel. I cried when she died soon after her offspring hatched.

[@viktorbirkeland6520]

​@@BersealiaDreamheart I think that was the point 😅 we "don't like" imprisoning things, although we imprison both humans, and smart and dumb animals here on earth! Slave labour has and continues to be normal! Even in the west... If you look at the 13th amendment, it was simply never outlawed in the US... as for animals, it has always been a thing, and will continue to be....

[@random_youtuber917]

​@@tekatokitaarimodota7685 I think the sea dragon leviathans r bigger than both of them

[@ScreamingStrombone]

You forgot the rockgrub, a creature so tiny you probably didn't notice it while swimming through the caves in the depths, these small creatures feed on algae that grows on the rocks found in the caves in the lower areas of the alien ocean

[@ScreamingStrombone]

They give off a bright bioluminescent light that is green in shade making them an easy spot if you are looking for them, these tiny but graceful creatures are able to crawl along the cave walls or swim through the sea at average speed. Correct me if I was wrong about anything.

[@abbys5907]

I was wondering if anyone else noticed. Also the occolus and eyeye

[@MINERAL-115]

@@abbys5907 And the holefish, red eyeye and spinefish! :D I'm not all the way through yet so hoping the bleeder and blighter will make an appearance as well. Edit: Aha, I wasn't aware Below Zero had a bunch of shared species.

[@beehairbristle3072]

@@MINERAL-115 Same, lol i dont know why i notice such small things.

[@Mr._funny2006]

@@ScreamingStrombone strombony

[@eggyboi3524]

There's plenty of channels that explains creatures in games and books like yours. But this format you have like an in-person documentary discovering countless organisms just hits the right spot! I absolutely love this format, please keep on doing it! Much lovee!!

[@DefaultCommenter]

As a white male I agree

[@YingofDarkness]

I love the comparison to real life animals. Earth has so many crazy creatures no one hears about and some have only been seen a handful of times. It's truly a wonderous place, and the oceans harbor their own alien worlds

[@roonkolos]

The fact there exists alien penguins in the Subnautica universe proves that penguins are indeed the *true* ultimate lifeform

[@alganhar1]

Not really. Its a classic case of convergent evolution, and Penguins are actually one of the groups of animals on Earth that prove the existence of convergent evolution. If you compare Penguins with Cetaceans (Whales/Dolphins), Pinnipeds (Seals), and nomadic Pelagic Fish (ocean going sharks, Tuna, Mackeral etc) you see that their general body shape is VERY similar. Sure the flippers/feet/fins may differ somewhat and be in different places, but the general body shape and limb form is very similar. This is simply because that body shape and those limb forms serve exceptionally well in the underwater environment. So they have evolved independently on Mammals, Birds and Fish. Sometimes the environment forces certain body shapes or certain limb structures because they are simply the most effective, so there is huge evolutionary pressure in those environments for that body form to evolve. if you look at fish for example pretty much all fish that do not follow that streamlined body shape are Benthic (so live most or all their lives on or near the bottom), and many are weak swimmers often relying on camouflage. As a result seeing a Penguin like bird analogue on another world would not actually surprise a Marine Ecologist such as myself overmuch. Feathers or something like them are an efficient way of both keeping warm and waterproofing. The body shape is efficient for their preferred environment. My only real complaint about them is I feel they are a little TOO close to Earth Penguins. That being said its not an impossibility.

[@alexpaul9085]

@@alganhar1 r\woooosh

[@raionshishi8290]

@@alganhar1 Well true to what you said, the fact that they resemble earths penguins so much is to the reality of the efficiency of that body shape, as it's more universal and specified for that type of environment, you can't really expect that much a of a difference at all. Even if it is such a small complaint, it's ultimately to no reason, as what else would you expect ? How much more different can it be ? Why would it be so ? And so on, I actually thought they are very different, considering the only thing they resemble is the body shape which is what should be expected, everything else is extremely different which is more inline with diversity.

[@thecoldcapybara1637]

You fool. CLEARLY the single greatest lifeform is the almighty CRAB!

[@RAMOBUS]

@@thecoldcapybara1637 both

[@fionasuter9209]

As weird as it may seem, this video has become my go-to tool to sleep. It's not that it's boring or anything like that, it's honestly amazing, but your voice is like so calming? Love it, haven't slept this easily in a long time, so I thank you from all my heart.

[@jansenwilliem7206]

I literally sleep while watching this lol

[@YourName-um6sb]

You are asking if his voice is calming? It seems like you’re stating it, his voice is calming which helps you sleep. Yet the question mark implies that you are asking HIM if his voice is calming, sorry I just got thrown into a spin trying to decipher what you meant lol. Not trying to be mean or anything but I’ve seen question marks used in this way before and it doesn’t seem like it actually works in English.

[@oinkayaya]

@@YourName-um6sb It's there to indicate tone, it's not actually supposed to be a question.

[@kenzashenna]

I just put this on to sleep 😂😂😂

[@fpcooper95]

I have a playlist of lore videos to sleep to and this is on it 👏🏾🙏🏾🥰😴

[@northamerica5142]

I feel a profound empathetic sadness as the Sea Emperors section came to a close with it singing somberly. She probably has been trapped there for hundreds of years, missing her family, her life essentially wasted in the depressing confines of that precursor "tomb". Really goes to show how cruel any species can be if advanced enough. I was wishing that she wasnt so old, so she could swim with her children and sing them to sleep at night. Your editing is top notch and really brings out the feels.

[@gerbenkoopman5312]

She has been there a thousand years I belief. She is 2600 when you find her, and the precursors note that a thousand is already old for the species

[@ansleywimer9873]

You just turned a video game series into quite literally the only documentary I never got bored of at any point. Great job 👍

[@tasteofpurple3044]

This is my favorite nature documentary ever made

[@DeadlyLazer]

I love how all the details in each lifeform are never just there to make it look cool. There's always an explanation and a purpose for everything.

[@ImThatGirl101]

Makes it more realistic

[@KinKin-vb5xw]

Except for the eyes of course.

[@purplehaze2358]

Playing Subnautica is thus far the only time I legitimately couldn’t finish a game because of the phobias I suffer from. Specifically, thalassophobia.

[@samkohlo9158]

I don’t even have thalassophobia but I still couldn’t finish the game.

[@derekdrake8706]

I have thalassophobia too and I'm proud to say I did finish the game. Several times. It's actually one of my favorites. Getting through the fear wasn't easy, Subnautica is the first and (so far) only game to give me a panic attack. I actually have advice if anyone wants it.

[@midnightflare7143]

Same dude. I can only play for about 20-30 minutes before I have to turn it off. Though, I'm happy to say, I have finally completed my base.

[@tybuss6211]

What’s thalassophobia, I assume it has something to do with huge creatures or water of some kind

[@JocaPlays87]

The first game gave me the fear that is the reason im not playing below zero, idk if the name is thalassophobia but its the fear of vast open water, the fear comes from the dead zone

[@catking2121]

The biology of “Journey to the Savage Planet” would be an interesting one, lots of lore like Subnautica, dare I say even more.

[@playerkgaming628]

that would be cool

[@goldhoney9401]

Would be awesome!

[@KRG30001]

Yes please! Phenomenal movie

[@playerkgaming628]

@@KRG30001 movie?

[@nortalian549]

And it’s final enemy, the Great and Meaty Poo.

[@lerry1225]

0:06 fish flip

[@chuni5942]

FUCK YEAH

[@Birdman47]

Holy shit that’s awesome

[@DerpidyDerp]

fucking radical

[@HappyMatt12345]

This is an incredibly creative abridged version of Subnautica! I like it alot! Also the amount of similarities between life on 4546B and on Earth is actually a valid example of a real-world evolutionary phenomenon called convergent evolution, which is where creatures that are very different from one-another genetically speaking evolve with similar characteristics independently due to similar environmental demands. A good real-world example is wolves and hyenas, hyenas being closer related to cats than to wolves genetically yet in appearance and behavior they're very similar to wolves.

[@Sarahizahhsum]

It's quite impressive how he followed the same path most players take in subnautica. It makes this video next level impressive. Fantastic video.

[@alexeckley428]

I’d like to think I did the same. However, (and I did try and scan absolutely everything when I first completed it, even leviathans) But This is my first time ever seeing a seatreader leviathan and it amazes me. I would never have even known they were in a game that I HAV PLAYED!!!

[@somedumbasswithlonghair4965]

​@@alexeckley428they really are VERY out of the way of anywhere you usually go in terms of normal gameplay. It's very centralized in the areas between the lifepods, the islands, and the aurora

[@Some_Guy_6]

@@alexeckley428 They even fart and poo and you can collect it.

[@Cactustemmy]

I really like how realistic you make your vids it’s like if it was if the game was in rl.

[@Cactustemmy]

Thank you all so much for the likes this is the most I’ve ever had so thank youuuuu!

[@ravine00612]

@@Cactustemmy you know this is how the game actually looks right? the cinematic scenes are the REAL GAME. you should play it first

[@ProximaPvP]

@@ravine00612 Think he was saying how these feel like a real life documentary, not how the game looks.

[@ravine00612]

@@ProximaPvP ehhh, i dont quite get it

[@Tsuruchi_420]

It's so good that it makes the funny stuff in the game, like reef back shaking, land crab walking, absolutely hilarious

[@myparentsaredivorced4573]

1:07:35 A small misconception with the Mantis Shrimp is that the creature can attack with the acceleration of a bullet, not the speed. A creature like that would be way more dangerous and probably would be too risky to have as a pet lol

[@beartheconfused6798]

I mean I saw one punch a crab so hard he was just an arm a torso and a couple of eyes soo yeah honestly why would you bother. Oh and by the way the crab survived it spared the crabs life for better or worse xd

[@myparentsaredivorced4573]

@TheVirgoGuy The acceleration is how fast an object’s speed can ramp up, while speed is the distance an object travels in a set time. Something with a great acceleration creates a great amount of force, especially if there’s a lot of mass behind it (force=mass*acceleration, so fast acceleration+high mass=more force) which is why the punches of a mantis shrimp are so effective. The mantis shrimp’s punching capabilities are often compared to a .22 caliber bullet, in which both the claw of a mantis shrimp and said bullet share a similar acceleration of about 23 m/s. What is often confused is that they share the same speeds which is very much inaccurate. While a mantis shrimp claw can reach speeds of up to 50 mph, which is still fast, it’s nothing compared to the 863 mph a .22 caliber bullet can reach. If it were so, the increased size of the claw would create a much more deadly point of impact compared to the diameter of a .22 and be more than capable of punching through human skull.

[@cescimes]

@@myparentsaredivorced4573 knew all that already, but I've really liked how nice and concise you'd explained that 🤝

[@Davis...]

​@@myparentsaredivorced4573 thanks for explaining

[@pyropulseIXXI]

@@TheVirgoGuy_ Acceleration is a change in velocity over time. Imagine the same acceleration occurring, but one occurs for 1 second , and one occurs for 0.1 seconds. A 20 m/s^2 acceleration over 1 second means a speed of 20 m/s, while for 0.1 seconds means a speed of 2.0 m/s, which is ten times slower. Time spent accelerating is important. It is the same has having a speed of 60 mph; if you go for 1 hour, you travelled 60 miles; if you go for 1 minute, you travelled 1 mile. If you have the same speed, it doesn't mean you travelled the same distance; likewise, the same acceleration doesn't mean you reach the same speed

[@PepperThePotato]

Im actually pretty scared of the ocean and what could be hiding in the deep dark cold waters, but I still find it fascinating, and was able to power through this game with the help of Chemical Apes. If you are new to the game or plan to play, I recommend checking out all of his videos about subnautica guides. It really helped me out and kind of felt as if someone was with me along my journey because I would do the same exact thing he does.

[@justaduster]

I love this video, I'm only 22 minutes in and fell in love with the genius of this documentary, the professional level narrating is, simply put, fantastic, the cinematographic shots are both visually interesting and complement the narration, the immersion that this script has is also remarkable as it truly feels like a sea life-researcher is exploring 4546b with the commentary of them having enough supplies, the day ending and night beginning, the switch of equipment from the seamoth to the cyclops, it is all just so marvelous You sir are a goddamn genius and I thank you so very much for creating such a wonderful audiovisual experience

[@NoOne-yv2ei]

Throughout this video, i often thought that the flora and fauna seemed mostly realistic and made sense, like if I saw this on an alien ocean i would genuinely not be surprised, it would have seemed natural with the video’s explanation.

[@kentslocum]

I think the only aquatic lifeform for which I simply couldn't suspend my disbelief was the three-legged leviathon strider. Everything else seemed entirely possible.

[@raionshishi8290]

@@kentslocum Tho why is the Sea Treader not believable, it seems plausible to me, it would actually be the least surprising creature to me if it were to actually exist.

[@nckojita]

@@kentslocum it’s actually two legged iirc, the “front leg” is rly just its head and jointed/foldable beak

[@spitfirebird]

These two games are the only games that have EVER terrified me while playing. The aurora exploding literally sent my fear meter into low-earth orbit when it happened. I haven’t even played them that much but they are still terrifying. I don’t suffer from thallasophobia or any ocean-related fear, it’s just the creatures and events of the game are terrifying.

[@rokaslokusevicius3810]

Thallasophobia moment

[@deadmeme9980]

Horror is really special. It’s so subjective and personal, there are so many people that swear that Subnautica is terrifying, yet others that have no fear at all.

[@alfrednelson9422]

If it makes you feel any better I had the same since of terror and shock when I first played the game, seeing the ship explode, getting dangerously close to a reaper leviathan, and my first time seeing a ghost leviathan. I know it's not supposed to be scary per say, but when you're so engrossed in the game you feel like you're actually in it. 😂

[@epkoda]

Speaking of the Aurora explosion... I think the cutscene would gain a whole new level of horror with just one simple detail: a blue glow. I think the radiation aspect is under-utilised. Exposure to it just lowers your health, which can be restored instantly with a first aid kit. Exploring the Aurora post-explosion felt... underwhelming. Put out fire, input code, heal, use repair tool, repeat. Working near an exposed nuclear core should be *terrifying*, a type of horror captured well by shows like Chernobyl. Knowing that every second you spend there, an invisible force is scrambling your DNA, breaking the inner workings of your cells, forcing your body to forget how to function. Unyielding, unstoppable, everpresent. To shield yourself is to run, to hide behind thick walls of lead and concrete... and yet, there you are, stepping right into the maw of the beast. Inching closer towards its pulsing heart. Radiation is unnatural. Abnormal. A fundamental force, never meant to be so concentrated, so potent, as it is inside a reactor. To harness its power is to spit in the face of God. While the rest of Subnautica shows you the horrors of nature, Aurora could have shown you the horrors of mankind. So yeah... I think they should've added a Chernobyl-esque blue glow to the Aurora explosion.

[@spitfirebird]

@@epkoda Oh, absolutely! Adding the details mentioned here would really emphasize that not only is the natural world full of horror, but so is the world we have shaped to fit our needs. Nuclear radiation feels like a forbidden discovery to me, it was something never meant to be created in such concentration and potency. It is a force of great destruction that has the power to fatally corrupt your very own DNA, how is that not terrifying!? The fact that it is used in such frequency, even on one of our nearest cosmic neighbors (perseverance and possibility curiosityare powered by nuclear energy created by a polonium reactor inside their chassis), to great benefit but also having the possibility of being able to royally screw over not just us, but the very rock we call home, is a truly morbidly fascinating thought.

[@meeegg3627]

I love the story telling connecting the creatures together. He puts himself in the game as if he is exploring the environment in person.

[@Wolfmond]

This is my new sleep video. Calm voice, interesting topic, love the ocean, no anoying music. Thank you!

[@CaydThompson]

This video is a masterpiece. I have replayed it like 12 times and I use it to help me go to sleep at night. It’s so relaxing.

[@BierBart12]

Sandsharks never felt scary to me, just like big derps who try really hard just to never get you. Their funny flailing might work on snails and other unmoving things.. but on anything else? I also just realized that this planet may have had massive landmasses before, which would explain the ones that still exist on the islands. I always felt like the aggressive nature of the leviathans was due to whatever the previous intelligent inhabitants did to the planet. Also, I like to think that the baby sea emperors went on to swiftly recapture the state of dominant lifeform and, through their incredible intelligence, developing spaceflight and becoming a contender to the seemingly horrible megacorporation that is Alterra.

[@JakeFish5058]

There are real life SandSharks too; Angel Sharks and Monk Fish behave fairly similarly in that sit on the ocean floor covered in sand and sediment in order to ambush their pray.

[@undeadwaluwugi758]

Below zero had the concept of the repopulated emperors in an early build but was swiftly scrapped. They all just chilled out in open water spewing out enzymes. Not as grandiose as what you mentioned.

[@alternax9751]

I have to admit, with their intelligence I honestly think they will become a precursor like being, without going extinct of course.

[@VioletMilks]

Nah, Altera would be gone or a fraction of its original size before they even go to space

[@douglasprobst5677]

You must realize though, is that the sea emperors, are the saviors

[@Giftig--Daniel-P]

The stalkers will pick up something and take it back to their "nest." They always return to the same place when they find something. Great way to gather their teeth is to put a few scrap metal around and watch them go back and forth. Some stalkers (or dogs as they're also called) will nest in mid water, dropping scrap metal only to have it fall to the seabed. These are the best dogs to harvest teeth from because you don't have to move the scrap metal around to get them to pick it up again.

[@MsOkayAwesome]

I bought and started playing Subnautica because of this channel. 8 hours in, this game is terrifying!! 🤣

[@aspenhart_]

I honestly didn't find it that scary, but yeah, I watch horror movies on regular basis and perhaps could have aspergers so that perhaps plays in the lack of fear

[@pp20000]

@@aspenhart_ bro who asked

[@Littlekoji-df1cf]

@@pp20000 bro. What about it?

[@Littlekoji-df1cf]

@@aspenhart_ you are fearless💪

[@aspenhart_]

@@Littlekoji-df1cf ...thanks?

[@kosica4126]

As weird as it seems, this video is incredibly good background noise when i draw. interesting enough to still listen, while not getting distracted by loud sounds or screaming. This is seriously awesome and i thank you for making it!

[@Avoranation]

This is a really cool video. I was a little disappointed you didn't go back to the sea emperor adolescents when they've spread to different areas of the map and grown! Not as big as their mum, but still impressive to visit! I love that the game devs actually grew them up and integrated them rather than just ignoring them or leaving them at the exit gate.

[@derekdrake8706]

This is basically how I played Subnautica, I loved studying the creatures.

[@Greatwolfpearl123]

This was a really cool documentary. It felt like a real documentary, even though it is about a game. It’s not to surprising, after all, Subnautica is so well thought out that it feels like it could be a real thing.

[@Darling_Decay]

My favorite type of documentary lore type stuff are deep dive into video games and how they work irl compared to in the game. It’s such a relaxing topic, I can listen to it for hours and hours without boredom, it’s such an interesting topic even for games I’ve never played

[@alfrednelson9422]

This was by far one of my favorite video game documentaries, you were so insightful and almost every species you went over you were able to bring up a comparison of an animal found in real life, I loved watching this video, looking forward to finding out what else you have on your channel.

[@CanonTheDog_]

Given the nature of this channel, I always like imagining that all the games, series, artbooks you cover in this sort of way focusing on the speculative biology. They all exist in the same massive universe, separated only by the distance between their respective galaxies. And you are a researcher in a space ship able to jump between them in order to study these magnificent beasts!

[@ellie_rigby.jaecds.]

I admire how you found so many earthly equivalents. That was quite the learning experience. Brilliant. Thanks a lot. I thoroughly enjoyed this journey.

[@ironwolf3554]

As someone who spends far too much time in Ark: Survival Evolved, just studying the wildlife, this kind of video is right up my alley; beautiful work, chief!

[@finn9396]

Realll sameee

[@Hoojo]

This is phenomenal work. I've been playing videogames since I was a child. Never once did I think that one day I would be watching a nature documentary based on an incredible game series. Well done. Subbed.

[@nuzlokenolan2943]

I have huge thalassophobia, but for some reason I’m obsessed with concepts of deep sea ocean monsters. I loved this video so much.

[@Theproblemchildofyoutube]

This documentary has been a great comfort to me. I first watched this when I was in the hospital for pneumonia and now it's become my comfort for restless, sleepless night. Thank you.

[@brassmoustache1392]

I wonder if any of the xenobiology of the Metroid series has any potential for a breakdown. I know it's an exhaustive list, but the lifeforms of Talon IV have a special place in my heart.

[@natureisneat8262]

Oooooo that's a good idea

[@Avenray19]

A fantastic suggestion. Retro Studios did a fantastic job of creating an immersive ecosystem.

[@Wileybot2004]

That would be very cool. Prime’s scans give enough data for a video like this

[@Techhunter_Talon]

It'd be cool to see the Prime games for that series. Between the native life of each of that series' planets and the sentient species that call those various planets home, like Chozo and the Luminoth. Latter of which is one of my absolute favorite fictional species.

[@pnk9639]

I'd like to suggest you take a look at Deep Rock Galactic next. A multitude of underground ecosystems should make for an interesting analysis.

[@50eiht]

im not the only one that plays this game!?!?!

[@pnk9639]

@@50eiht Rock and Stone Brother!

[@Qreamey]

Need it. ROCK AND STONE!

[@gustavovillegas5909]

ROCK AND STONE

[@Lettucem3n]

IF YOU DONT ROCK AND STONE YOU AINT COMING HOME

[@erebusmint]

I’ve never played any of the Subnautica games, but I’ve watched just about any content about it that I can get my hands on. This genuinely felt like I was watching a nature documentary, and I was immediately captivated! Amazing job ❤️

[@Ekdrink]

It’s free on gamepass

[@erebusmint]

@@Ekdrink I don’t have an Xbox, PC, anything

[@DonQuixoteTheGremlin]

​@@Ekdrink it sadly left game pass

[@Ekdrink]

@@DonQuixoteTheGremlin like every good game does.

[@DonQuixoteTheGremlin]

@@Ekdrink Ironically, Subnautica was the reason I got gamepass in the first place.

[@MCJustJ420]

Hands down the most terrifying game I've ever played, most games people find scary don't bother me, but this game is something else

[@BowenEros-gt8gn]

The deep, dark ocean below?

[@Skooma_Dealer3]

I finally made it deep for the first time in this game, currently in the lost river and it’s terrifying but also beautiful.

[@PansexualPancakes2]

This was such a cool experience, and I love your documentary-style incorporation of ALAN as an ally. Very well done!

[@99sins]

Was this documentary funded by Alterra themselves? I find it hard to believe that they would fund such a positive exploration of a planet that costed the company so many credits in damages. Maybe this was an independent research project following up on that 'sole survivor of 4546_b' I keep hearing about. In that case I hope that the copyright act will hold up against whatever Alterra wants to do to make sure to keep things quiet about that strange exoplanet.

[@ufiypepper2143]

Alterra's Aurora spaceship wasn't mentioned, probably due to the death that it caused. 157 deaths were hidden by this documentary.. I think you're onto something. Hopefully the research crew isn't dead, but Alterra doesn't reveal anything anymore. This seems a little suspicious..🤔🤔

[@GoatMilkCookie]

Hm, I dunno, there have been more companies in recent years that have explored 4546B, like xenoworks for example, I also heard that alterra scrapped any remaining parts of the ship once the sole survivor of the crash returned and told them of the fact the planets defense system or "Quarantine Enforcement System" was shut down.

[@douglasprobst5677]

@@GoatMilkCookie yeah, probably because it was a total loos, though they probably did salvage its reactor core, which will explode later on

[@hiraethhousestudio]

I have never played this game so this comment and the replies were so mysterious to me especially since I'm high lmao

[@Lokitty719]

My only disappointment is that you didn't talk about the juvenile sea emperor encounter in sector zero. It would have been interesting to show how the species develops over its life cycle.

[@Joshingsoybeans]

Apparently, everyone refers to the skeletal remains in the lost river as the gargantuan leviathan. It most likely went extinct because its large prey died out or moved to safer water, such as the Reefback and/or the frozen leviathan, which are clearly smaller but still large, or perhaps it used to feast on the sea emperor, given that there used to be a lot more of them in the past. Because the sea emperor we see has clearly laid eggs. Edit: This is the most likes I think I have ever gotten.

[@mrt_pose]

Good theory I would love to see someone explain this in a video.

[@paulgibbon5991]

The really fascinating thing is that the Gargantuan clearly isn't a creature like the blue whale, which is evolved to eat tiny creatures en masse. Those big teeth and powerful skull are more typical of a predator that hunted comparably sized or bigger prey.

[@vratti2236]

@@paulgibbon5991 Yeah it probably eated much bigger leviathans that the ones alive in the game, probably of comparable size, cool shit.

[@naota3k]

I've been having horrible anxiety attacks for the past few days... today I started to feel a bit better and put this video on. Your voice is quite soothing, and the pace of the video was just what I needed to calm down a bit.

[@OIeka]

Hope you’re doin better now

[@epicsardines6440]

This is like the perfect video to fall asleep too. It’s narrated like an actual animal planet show. U made a really relaxing video

[@dpeterson5630]

This is awesome!! I love the documentary style videos, they're such a unique and engaging idea!!

[@ninja_of_light_5801]

I'm no biologist (more like a mechanic), but Subnauticas organisms are fascinating.

[@dengdesigns]

The shallows are safe until you have a Reaper Leviathan follow you home from the Aurora. Every time I leave my moonpool I have to play cat and mouse games to leave. Definitely adds some excitement to the base.

[@JeMoeder123]

My teacher told me to watch documentaries, here you go. HAPPY?!

[@bukiyobun]

i have probably watched this video over 10 times, i always end up watching it all over again

[@tammhauser]

This is, unironically, one of the best videos I've seen on youtube

[@peekaloo12]

As someone that's always had a deep love of marine biology and the deep sea but can't pursue it due to health reasons, Subnautica really tickles that little part of my brain that still hasn't given up on diving

[@ollie2111]

I was just talking about how much i LOVE subnautica I recently got the second one and tbh I like the first one best. I also wish they made the story mode playable in invincible mode like the did the first one (according to a dev, the first one wasn't supposed to be like that, it was a bug they left in. Which makes me really mad because having the option to complete a story in free mode is hugely important from a disability equal accessibility standpoint. But, I digress).

[@Ekdrink]

God mode has nothing to do with disability equal whatever the fuck

[@ollie2111]

@@Ekdrink good job showing how uncreative and uncaring you are, congrats.

[@Ekdrink]

@@ollie2111 idk what I expected from someone with a pfp like that

[@rocipoki2322]

You know what would really enhance this complex ecosystem ? A walmart .

[@MermaidKiley]

Subnautica frickin slaps, it's one of my favorite games. I keep wondering about 4546B's giant red moon and how interesting it would be to have ginormous tides twice a day due to the insane gravity. It would certainly be interesting if you had to fix the aurora at low tide and escape as the tide rises, basically making the whole ship an underwater reaper playground. Alternatively, timing excursions to the deeper biomes at low tide would be an interesting way to get resources sooner before you get the proper depth upgrades.

[@Squid_does_games9638]

Hello sir I was hoping you could check a game called Rain World. It is set in a world where a super advanced race of ancients have all died out, leaving behind all their structures to be reclaimed by nature. Much time has passed, and the ancients were masters of genetic tech. The purposed animals they created to perform various tasks roam the world and have evolved to the new environment, but the are also many bio-mechanical creatures still around from the time of the ancients, leading to many unique animals. I think you would find it quite interesting

[@soulmaster846]

Fortunately he has a couple videos about that world now

[@lasercraft32]

I like how you adapted the story (specifically meeting AL-AN) to fit with your documentary style video. :3

[@kathleenjackson3258]

Have you ever considered doing the biology of “Dragons: A Fantasy Made Real”? It’s one of my favorite mockumentaries, and might be a good fit for one of these. Having only discovered them recently, I’m really enjoying them.

[@Varphi_]

Is this the Dragons documentary style show that used to be on the history channel in the early 2000s?

[@kathleenjackson3258]

@@Varphi_ Discovery Channel I think, but yes, it was in the early 2000’s.

[@San_Powerrr]

I miss watching these game documentaries, it's so calming and mysterious to explore the game while listening to the narration

[@joshuapatrick682]

I hope they continue the series, it's truly a gem of immersive sims.

[@carafurry7862]

I love Subnautica's crazy biology

[@nikitasinha635]

It’s a shame you didn’t talk about the gargantuan leviathan based on what you can gather from scanning it’s juvenile remains.

[@BasementDweller_]

They did such a job on making these alien species feel real.

[@nully1579]

I absolutely love how you made this feel like a real and genuine documentary and the comparisons with earth were amazing! Really made me enjoy the beauty of subnautica. Thanks!

[@PolandSphere]

This little Subnautica series is how I found out about your channel, and I am really grateful for that. After going through your catalog of videos that aren't related to Subnautica, I have found some really insightful and entertaining videos about world building and monsters. I've just been binging your content while playing Elden Ring, and your content seems to be the perfect thing to watch in the background due to the captivating scripts and interesting visuals that I can look at when I am not too focused on my game. I don't know if you'll see this, but I thought I'd say this anyway during my binge session.

[@marxtheenigma873]

You need to look at an old ps2 game called Scaler. I love it for the detailed environments. At one point there are actually some plants mimicking a scary predator!

[@jhowza2990]

You just gave me massive whiplash, scaler was my fave game when I was younger!

[@MJ-98]

This feels very much like an actual documentary. Great; very calming yet engaging to listen to!

[@Schlumpsha]

Now calling the garryfish the bottom of the food chain is just plain rude: that honor clearly goes to the rockgrub! Credit where credit is due.

[@paulgibbon5991]

I always build my bases near Reefback territory, because it's such a beautiful sight to see them swimming overhead, and their calls are oddly soothing.

[@Ripleazy]

6:40 If I remember correctly the reason they actually do this is so sharpen their teeth on the scrap. One of the main way to obtain stalker teeth for the tougher glass you can craft in the game is by following them around as they do this since loose teeth will fall out.

[@vojvodd]

Thanks for all the effort man. Your videos are incredible

[@itstrue6660]

This is the only Documentary I've ever watched start to finish. It's amazing and enjoyable. ✨

[@no_fishman9669]

Great video, 4546b is such a wonderful yet deadly planet, imagine the Oceanariums full of these fish. Also it would be cool to see you make a video on Biology of Oddworld.

[@birddaddydetta]

YES, I'd love that

[@meismonke5543]

Minecraft would also be good as like it would be pretty nice and enough species to document

[@Ekdrink]

@@meismonke5543 no it wouldn’t it’s literally just earth besides like 5 things

[@purplegalaxies2149]

Noot Fish? As in Pingu’s iconic “Noot Noot”? *I L O V E I T*

[@LockeRobsta]

The first time I encountered a Reaper Leviathan was when I was approaching the Aurora. I had surfaced to inspect the ship when suddenly (not sure if it was programmed behaviour or a bug), this demon serpent breached the surface, flew several feet into the air, then crashed back below the waves. I was frozen in shock for several seconds but eventually dived down to investigate further just in time to hear the most terrifying shriek I've ever heard. I switched to my Seaglide and swam away at Mach fucking 5. Great game.

[@1star_god]

I loved this! I did have an alternate theory on two of your early findings, though. That very first ray reminds more of a spanish dancer than any ray. And that first leviathan skeleton seems much more like a whale fall than a fossil, given most extinct creature fossils are often quite a bit more buried, and less lively than our friend there. I think it would be cool if the species was still around somewhere possibly only numbering in singular digits at any given time, and living out their time in completely different biomes...(also that was not a very large number of babies that sea emperor had, hopefully at least two will make it to adulthood without a parent to watch over them...)

[@ZackGamesaLot]

No. You do NOT want the Garg to reach adulthood lol

[@wslaxmiddy]

30% of my enjoyment with subnautica was seeing all the new species and reading the scans of them all. I never played Sector Zero so having it all condensed like this is peak content. Also makes me want to go back and rework my way up the tech tree in Subnautica again.

[@Thatchaoscreator]

This game is one of the factors that lead me to realize that biology (both marine and terrestrial) is something that interests me greatly.

[@RemusHolt]

30:23 I remember when the first time the sea emperor was revealed in game and it was so cool just to see it and slowly as updates went curiosity grew because we knew that that was the end game and I remember as we slowly discovered how tragic it was. it’s death immediately after the birth of its babies. it’s this kind of Yin and yang moment, where we see how beautiful life is immediately followed by the tragedy of death. Subnautica is truly an amazing, beautiful game

[@Notllamalord]

I love that subnauticas worlds are ecosystems first and game locations second, the world feels so alive

[@gdhyp3rsqu1d59]

One thing to note about the stalkers, and this can be found out through both gameplay and bits of lore, is that sometimes when they pick scraps of metal up with their teeth it will dislodge a tooth

[@gamerghxst]

Really appreciate this video! Would love to see more similar on other worlds like: The Biology of James Cameron‘s Avatar World, The Biology of the Different Regions of Tamriel in the Elder Scrolls, The Biology of the different Maps in ARK Survival Evolved, The Biology of the Alien/Predator franchise Any franchise with good biological world building that you do a video on, I am here for it. Really hope you consider these topics though and thank you again.

[@starlight0313]

the ark stuff is artificial

[@gamerghxst]

@@starlight0313 yes technically you are right, but the dossiers specifically say that the species live in ecosystems with their own food webs and along with the story of ARK I think his videos would fit with that setting nicely.

[@varindergill1290]

Ark doesn’t has a biology you litterally put a bunch of animals from different times on a island and expect them to interact

[@mintgarnish6281]

I can't believe this felt so damn short! This was an awesome introduction to your channel and I swear that if you don't have Monster Hunter documentaries I'm going to riot.

[@soulmaster846]

Fortunately he has! Though it's only two videos so far

[@puffedspaghetti5090]

I appreciate this "full documentary" because not only do I love watching and fully paying attention to all your videos, I also put your videos on for noise to fall asleep to. So this long provides a full length "documentary" that I don't need to select the next videos for for both situations

[@soysauce8020]

i still come back to watch this to fall asleep sometimes, it's so relaxing but also very interesting it's like watching a nature documentary thank u so much