Subnautica And The Terror Of Absolute Freedom

[@montagistkacke7431]

I'm honestly surprised that so few horror games take place in the sea. "Bottomless" water, where you can barely see anything and have no idea what might be lurking there, is probably the most effective tool to scare people without anything actually happening.

[@wetnamE]

Because its very hard to make with the limited tools most horror game developers work with/have.

[@hundvd_7]

@@wetnamE That's actually a pretty good point. Still, sea game doesn't have to mean 6 degrees of freedom movement in a fully 3 dimensional open-world environment. Take a note from the insane limitations that Iron Lung puts on you. That is not a very difficult game to create, it just needed a lot of creativity

[@angusmacchesney5810]

It doesn’t have to be there, just the possibility that it is.

[@montagistkacke7431]

@@angusmacchesney5810 That's why I said "what might be lurking"

[@angusmacchesney5810]

@@montagistkacke7431 I was agreeing with you

[@KnightsDisillusion]

I played Subnatica because i love nature but i'm beyond terrified of the ocean and man, you're right about the aspect of freedom being the scariest part of the game. You have no idea how long it took me to venture beyond my comfort zone, but when i finally did sure it was terrifying but i got to experience the beautiful ecosystem and that made it worth going through the fear. This is my favourite aspect of the game because not only is this a great lesson on trying new things but it's also a fantastic internal risk reward system. Horror games usual reward your bravery with "you did it and now you are in the safe room" but Subnatica gives you a beautiful visual of the area you was once dreading and makes you really feel like you've conquered your fear. Great video as always man.

[@Tomkon]

Thats a great point, and I think it goes to show what a special game this is if it can create such positive experiences for someone who's scared of the ocean!

[@itsumayo]

I have 3 different scuba certifications, and it still freaked me out. But that feeling of exploring fear and beauty gave me the best feeling ever.

[@kassiaactuallydraws9361]

This. This exactly

[@DunkTasticMan]

I love the ocean, subnatica never scared me, the whole game looks beautiful and I was more focused on that. Sea dragon was the only thing that scared me because it came from behind me and shot fire while I zoned out looking at my phone for a sec.

[@russ7625]

I have exteme Thalassophobia, I’ve been slowly trying to use this game as a version of exposure therapy, failing currently, had the game for months and put in like 45 minutes in total😅

[@dantesparda14175]

I find that moments when I am in complete control in horror games are more scary than cutscenes where I can just relax for five minutes while a shadow demon murders me

[@beepityboppop-6650]

*while being brutally eaten and clawed* ''This is fine''

[@gunnarsoderhielm3425]

I absolutely agree and it's why the first time I met a Reaper Leviathan was so terrifying. Not because it swam straight at me and killed me, but because it swam straight at and then past me, leaving me alive. Unlike if I had been attacked, stuck in an animation, killed and then respawned at my base, I was still in those unknown waters, unsure of where the monster had gone and knowing that I would have to make my way back home. In that moment I would have rather died and gotten it over with, instead of being forced to take control of the situation and save myself. My butt was clenched the entire way back home, even when I was far away from the Leviathan area, because now my brain would never let me forget what was out there.

[@zakosist]

Kind of why it's more scary to play a scary game yourself than watch someone else playing it, you feel much more involved. And having to make a decision, means you can't just basically ignore and step away from the screen. Yet there are people who dont realize video-games can be scary, just like movies, and if anything have potential for even being more scary in the same setting, because you actively engage. But I think generally, freedom is not as scary as being trapped and helpless is. That may be a bit subjective. But there is nothing I fear more than a captivity where all personal freedom is taken away from me.

[@llamainyamama3088]

Walking through hallway: fuck fuck fuck Getting legs cut off in cutscene: *Reaches for chips*

[@ForgedinPrint]

I think another aspect to this is when the cutscene starts you know you can't do anything, so it's like watching a horror movie at that point. When you still have control you feel your actions can impact the outcome of the events unfolding in front of you as well, so maybe that death could have been avoided.

[@juke9674]

What I love about this game is honestly the way the fauna is represented. On your first playthrough you probably wont notice this, but nearly every dangerous animal acts like an actual animal. They wont constantly chase you down like an enemy NPC that constantly charges you in an egoshooter. Most will stalk you a bit if you get near them, and then try to swim up to you and bite you, but if you hit them with even just a knife most will immediately run away in fear because they are not used to prey fighting back. Some others are highly territorial and will only attack you if you disrespect their territory. You are never actually forced or encouraged to hunt down and kill any of the monsters, including the leviathans, because they arent evil. Theyre just animals. (This is represented excellently by the log entry for one of the very late game leviathans - which tells you once you scan it that its species numbers are most likely in the single digits and if you did kill them you just got them one step closer to extinction.) Great example is the Stalker, the first enemy you encounter whom all the youtubers scream at. However, they will only really attack you if you steal their metal or go into their reed forests. You can even feed them to make them non-agressive, or play tag with them freely since they are easy to avoid and wont hunt you down very far.

[@shellderp]

The devs said they don't want you to feel like you are an important character in this game. You're intruding in a world

[@Perrocko]

You could kill a Leviathan? O.o

[@lasercraft32]

@@Perrocko Yes it just takes a very long time, and unless you have a prawn suit you'd probably die attempting it.

[@Perrocko]

@@lasercraft32 is there a. Way yo kill withouth exploiting him? Or this is the only way?

[@lasercraft32]

@@Perrocko I've seen videos where people grab onto it with the grapple arm and just punch it over and over again, its crazy. People have also fired crash fish at them using the propulsion cannon, that works too.

[@potatogod8366]

I have thalassophobia(fear of the deep waters) and when i played that game, i just stayed at the reef for 5 hours straight and it was terrifying

[@poinkek]

Other than getting the creepvine seeds pretty fast i was the same

[@gavinthegreatgavinthegreat97]

Lol

[@nivannakingsman1383]

I have it as well and my friend asked me to play on his world and I just froze up when I saw the deep and he shook me back. I was terrified

[@Teh_Duck]

I don't really have a fear of the ocean but the constant tension on my first playthrough just killed my anxiety, anytime I heard a leviathan I would nope out and that lead to me softlocking myself out of fear. I have had the game for years but never touched it since until earlier this year when I knocked it out in a few days from scratch.

[@JakubRycek-oe8me]

Same and i was alway this one kid that jumped to ocean when he arrived to beach and always redused to leave Also when i was 11 i learned how to swim But after i played subnautica i was litteraly terrified to go to water when i was on wacation on beach

[@tpd1864blake]

It seems like the two types of people who play Subnautica are those who have a fascination with the ocean and enjoy discovering all of the new ocean life and those who are terrified of the ocean and want to confront their fear

[@flammenwaffenfries3039]

Playing a game isn't confronting their fears. Try it in a actual ocean

[@ramontavaresdacruz2256]

@@flammenwaffenfries3039 Nowdays we use VR to help people overcome a lot of phobias. It's obviously not close to reality but it helps soothe the fear.

[@freze994]

I'm both fascinated and terrified

[@deaconstjohn4842]

@@flammenwaffenfries3039 it is, instead. It's a different way to face your fear, you're still uncomfortable when you play it but you push through and reach your goals. That's the definition of facing one's fears. Ofc there are different degrees of that, this is one of them. And no, I don't need to try it in the ocean. Idc about it. Not my goal here.

[@escaped_cephalopod]

I’m the former lol give me more cool alien oceans

[@MegaChickenfish]

You describe well how Subnautica _allows_ you to hang in safety, but always _encourages_ you outward. The game took me forever because I'm terrified of deep water, so would always do absolutely everything possible to prepare before venturing deeper. Admittedly some of that handicapping was on my remarkable ability to miss key upgrades, like the battery charger and upgrade stations, which I kept having to resort to looking up due to having no sense of directly and routinely checking and re-checking the same shipwrecks over and over. Helped a LOT when I found a basic map online. Not like "here's exactly what's in everywhere and where to find the endgame stuff" but a general "here's descriptive enough names and color coding for the topside biomes and where they are relative to your lifepod that you stop constantly swimming in circles."

[@lasercraft32]

Encourages... but at the same time warning you to be cautious. Specifically when the PDA warns you about Leviathans. I'm guessing most people immediately turned around as soon as they got that warning message the first time.

[@sashavukasovich4857]

A man overboard event on a ship is probably the scariest thing we prep for as sailors, it’s the one emergency that has a near-100% chance of death. What makes it scarier is that, when you’re standing on the decks at night in the middle of the sea, you almost always experience the urge to do it…

[@Brent-jj6qi]

If you get the urge to throw yourself off the ship at night, you might have some problems

[@Mister_Hyphen]

@@Brent-jj6qiWhenever I encounter a slight problem, my brain tells me that my life is worthless and that I should kill myself now! 😃

[@Oldtricksmadenew]

I am reminded of Robin Williams talking about that intrusive thought many have when looking over a ledge “ ‘Jump, you can fly’ meanwhile your butt is puckered up saying ‘NO YOU CAN’T!!’ “

[@CyVinci]

@@Brent-jj6qi Have you never heard of the call of the void?

[@treeble2793]

​@@Brent-jj6qibro did NOT watch the video

[@Woodland_Adventures]

I'm not normally scared of the ocean. But when your 900 meters down in nothing but a PRAWN suit, it's scary as all hell.

[@Tooterbooter]

“Subnautica isn’t labeled as a horror game, because.. it isn’t.” But… the very first tag on the steam store page for Subnautica is “Survival Horror”

[@aircraftcarrierwo-class]

I mean they tagged Destiny 2, Call of Duty, and Legy Star Wars: Complete Collection as psychological horror. User-added tags aren't always accurate.

[@Tooterbooter]

@@aircraftcarrierwo-class Okay, but like Subnautica is a survival horror. Do you disagree?

[@aircraftcarrierwo-class]

@@Tooterbooter yes actually I do.

[@cqllel5186]

Steam tags are irrelevant. I've seen Garfield Kart with Psychological Horror tag

[@orderlytree6201]

Dark souls is labeled as cute so stfu

[@Collisto2435]

I remember entering any area that wasn’t the safe shallows for the first time. Not wanting to go there but knowing I had to to progress, the sinking feeling (hah) in my stomach as the water went deeper, my anxiety rising as I couldn’t make out anything ahead of me. I found myself sticking to the sea bed whenever possible, not wanting to be out in the open water else I be spotted by whatever lurked below. Some areas I came to know as peaceful, treating them like the shallows, while I stayed cautious in others, only ever getting what I needed before retreating. Subnautica is a masterclass in the fear of the unknown.

[@itsumayo]

I feel like the first Subnautica scared people on accident with the unknown, which made it that much better. Along with the unknown also being able to be beautiful. However, I feel they kinda flopped with this on Subnautica: Below Zero. Every creature in Below Zero is just designed to be scary, and not so much beautiful. Making the unknown be nothing but scary kinda kills the interest of exploring, knowing nothing good is out there. If there ever is a third Subnautica, then focusing on balancing fear and beauty might be something the devs want to focus on.

[@assburgers9953]

If I recall correctly, they actually went out of their way to make BZ less of a horror experience, as that wasn't even their intention with the first game. But in doing so, as well as making it have a more linear story, they kinda strayed from what made the first game such a unique game

[@Temmie321]

I enjoyed the first subnautica a whole lot more, didn’t care for how BZ was due story driven. Regarding the horror, I kinda get, I think, what people are talking about but I’m not really feeling it. It does have a heavy atmosphere like at the really deep places, and some thrilling encounters with leviathans, but mainly I just think it was an amazing experience being dropped into the unknown and having to figure out what you have to do in order to survive and progress the story and learn about the fates on the planet.

[@AnonEyeMouse]

The issue with the second game, for me, was it was too small. I got down to the red crystals on my first day of play. Just exploring and gathering the tech, I'd uncovered most of the everything. I've not completed the game, mainly because dodging the leviathan down in the deep caverns was dull and tedious.

[@moo8866]

i disagree strongly

[@L-sw5ch]

there will be subnautica 3 tho, its just starting but still

[@DelgadoKenway]

It was a wonderfully put together analysis of the way the game can make you feel at times. You're on the right track as far as video making is concerned so don't worry about the low views or subscribers, as those will come in time. Have a lovely holiday season!

[@skylexfrexn4992]

I’ve played a lot of terror games, because i love to feel strong sensations trough my mind and body, just to feel my gut revolving inside and that sense of imminent dread… it’s like a drug. That said, I’ve also done a lot of “extreme” stuff in real life, and they’re the only ones that truly made me feel that. This game is the only thing outside real life stuff that made me experience that same feeling, it tells you how good of an adventure it is, and i love it. Also, good work my dude, you really put great effort in your vids, you have the production quality of a channel much bigger, i hope it pays off soon!

[@archon_maenad]

Just dropping a comment for the algorithm. You deserve more exposure!

[@santiagosagrera3670]

I'm like the opposite to H.P. Lovecraft, I wasn't born with fear of the ocean, or deep waters, in fact I find them rather comforting; so much that I became a diver... when I played Subnautica, rather than fear, or dread, I felt at home (Although obviously I did get nervous when I was being chased by actual monsters) I dunno, my diving friends say one of the most alluring factors of diving is flirting with the danger, and the adrenaline it gives you, but tbh I never got that; I just find the depths beautiful.

[@uh8151]

I am the same with you, but space on the other hand can kiss my ass.

[@hurmzz]

I also experienced diving as being very comforting and not because of how beautifull it can be. Something with the danger, but when you surrender to it. The density of the water all around you, flowing with the currents. When you’re still you only hear your breathing. Makes you feel more connected with yourself and the powerfull ocean around you. Very zen.

[@aidenmclaughlin1076]

Completely agree! One of the reasons that I’m a diver too!

[@left4twenty]

I feel like you should have a healthy bit of fear when a seal stands between you and death

[@HighTher3]

I'm a diver but of the sky variety and I can tell you that the sky is very much the same for us. I love the water as well and if I didn't get into skydiving I'm sure I'd be a licensed scuba diver.

[@oliv8531]

I've played subnautica for 250 hours. And beeing a scuba diver, I was frustrated not feeling the impression on depth. Last week, bought a vr helmet. Just for subnautica in vr... And that's just a totally different experience. It's SO MUCH more intense. You réalise the scale of everything. Man... Reef backs are Humongus. It's just the subnautica y'all know and love but multiplied by 10. Just do it if you can.

[@Bogglemanify]

My first blind playthrough of Subnautica was in VR and it's still one of my favorite gaming experiences. I didn't know about anything in this game so my first time seeing a reaper charging at me was terrifying; I didn't even have a seamoth at the time.

[@blabla-rg7ky]

no, thanks! I've shat bricks on my first reaper encounter by playing on my trusty PC, the VR would literally give me heart attack as I do have a weak heart. Yeah, I'll pass..

[@emPtysp4ce]

A Subnautica mod for hyper-realism where you gotta mix your own air and everything... actually that would kinda suck

[@toast6375]

Fun fact, that’s the correct size for everything, things just look small on tabletop because of camera issues

[@zwenkwiel816]

@@blabla-rg7ky i've tried it, completed the game on flat screen when it first came out but in VR i've yet to really leave the safe shallows XD and I never really get scared by games (VR or flat) at all except for Subnautica

[@KneelB4Bacon]

I like that the environment itself puts a hard limit on your progression through the game. At the beginning, you can only dive as deep as your breath will last. There could be amazing stuff on the sea floor directly beneath where you're swimming but you just can't get to it until you upgrade your equipment.

[@webbaugust9]

I really like your style of graphic design for your thumbnails, also the way you review objectively and logically with a good amount of emotion mixed in. In short your videos make me think and smile, so thank you. :)

[@webbaugust9]

Also I feel like you have a deep insight into things that most people (including me) don't have, and hearing that being said is a very good learning experience! I've definitely learned a good bit from your videos at least haha. Keep up the awesome vids and stories man, people really appreciate it!

[@Tomkon]

Thanks for the kind words :) I'm really glad you've enjoyed some of the videos!

[@randomstuffbychris]

I've been playing this game since 2015 and it's incredible to see how far it's come. I think the soundtrack adds a whole lot to this game, the songs evoke a sense of mystery.

[@Wishbone1977]

The soundtrack is awesome, but more generally the entire sound design of Subnautica is the best of any game I've ever played.

[@antred11]

@@Wishbone1977 I wish they'd go back to working on the original Subnautica. There are lots of things that could be significantly improved. I don't care much for Below Zero at all.

[@Wishbone1977]

@@antred11 To the best of my knowledge, they are. I don't know everything they plan on doing, but they are porting some of the quality-of-life features from Below Zero back to the original. And I agree with you about Below Zero. From a technical standpoint it seemed like a big improvement, but as a game it fell far short of its predecessor.

[@G-Mastah-Fash]

Shame they fired their sound guy for having opinions.

[@moth5799]

@@antred11 They're still adding stuff to the original. They're backporting the new base building stuff from BZ into the first game, along with some graphical improvements and a new mode that lets you control stuff to make it harder.

[@Grivian]

The first time playing Subnautica was such an amazing experience. I didn't know anything about the game and I didn't know what to do, everything was a learning experience. I was swimming around close to the pod exploring but not daring to go too far. Almost out of food, nice I can cook fish. Damn I drank my last water, how I can get more? Sweet some fishes gives me water. When the tablet told me that my chances of survival had improved it felt like an accomplishment. When I felt that I had my resources under control I dared to move further away from the pod. Eventually I built the glider and I could finally go on longer excursions to look for survivors and supplies. Preparing for the journey was a great experience in itself. Packing enough water, food, and extra battery before I was ready. After that I decided to explore the ship and got attacked by a leviathan so I left that plan for now. I look for more pods until the table voice told me that the ships nuclear reactor is reaching a critical level. I realize that I need to do something so I take my seamoth and go there (another path than I previously took) but I get killed by a leviathan again. Apparently my seamoth is not good enough against those beasts either. So I abandon that plan. But then the voice tells me that the ship will explode in a few hourse. I then believe that I made a big mistake, that I was too slow in gathering supplies and reaching the ship. I climb to the top of the pod to witness the epic explosion and my imminent death. It happens, but I survive. I was honestly shocked. The game was not over and I could continue. I hear on the radio that some people will rescue me and I immediately gather my resources and head over there. I land on a shore (which is cool in itself) and witness something truly awesome. The ship decends but an alien structure shoots it down. I stare in wonder and of course I decide to explore that structure. I enter it with a high sense of dread but I know I must continue. I tell myself that after the first sight of an alien I will immediately run to the exit. But it is empty and highly intriguing. I could tell you about the fear or going deep underwater or the feeling of conquering the waters but these initial moments immersed me more into the world than any game had done in a very long time.

[@ashykinz5162]

This script was so brilliant. This is the first video that ever articulated aspects of Subnautica that Are so present in the game but never talked about or well described. Great video man

[@Aci_yt]

Great video! Super impressive storytelling, I enjoyed it a lot ^^

[@Tomkon]

Thanks so much!

[@cloutc9967]

I played both Subnautica and Below Zero and man those are some beautiful games. But every corner outside the starting area is scarry af. But once you knew what was there and how to avoid it or fight it it became beautiful again.

[@ravendevino6419]

I absolutely love the natural progression of facing your fears of bigger and nastier critters. Stalkers are terrifying until you grow past them. Then there are sandsharks. Then, etc, etc.

[@B0LiMs_Artz]

In a way, subnautica kinda reminds me of Jurassic park, the OG one, it starts off with a sense of wonder and beauty, then it slowly morphs into something terrifying and dreadful and you descend into the depths, except unlike in Jurassic park, you have multiple paths that you may choose.

[@verynice9814]

"To truly conquer one's fears, one must first blow out one's own candles."

[@aeryonyx4809]

Randomly popped up on my feed and definitely worth the watch. A really quality for a smallish channel, definitely subscribing :)

[@diamondkidpro7769]

one of my favorite things said in the game is "This biome matches 7 out of the 9 requirements for stimulating terror in humans" (note I cant remember the actual saying just what I was like I'm to lazy to look it up)

[@zakosist]

It said "preconditions" (instead of requirements) if I remember right. It said "this ecological biome matches 7 of the 9 preconditions for stimulating terror in humans". But I want to know what those conditions are. Oddly enough, this was a biome I felt kinda cozy and at home in, more than the other biomes.

[@killwalker]

The replayability of this game is crazy. No matter what, one still enjoys getting to the next biome for the first time over and over. Seeing the Sunbeam explode and we laugh and laugh....lol.

[@Dragon-rx1el]

This might be the best video I've seen in a long while. Great job

[@bencusb]

This game captures what it feels like to have the fear of the deep sea. I wonder if I give it a spin and push through the fear will it help with getting used to the deep sea irl.

[@justinrolls9526]

Dude. That "Call Of The Void" stuff you were talking about? I've experienced it. Whenever I'm riding in a car, I sometimes get this urge to just... throw open the door and jump. Doesn't matter if I'm driving or a passenger either. This is the first time I'm telling someone else this, and it is because I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me a name for this urge. For letting me know other people have experienced this. For letting me know it's been documented and studied. For letting me know I'm not crazy. Again, Thank You.

[@frenchguitarguy1091]

Same here, I literally had it all my life, even as a kid, going on a car holiday I'd have the urge to just throw myself out of the car.

[@302mixout]

This game always has you craving the feeling of this game upon the first completion, that sweet feeling of happiness, on the verge of tears. I wish I could feel that feeling again, sadly it only happens once, and that's ok.

[@Wishbone1977]

That's why I watch so many 1st time playthroughs of Subnautica, to try to recapture that feeling through someone else.

[@johnterpack3940]

Another key to the "terror" of Subnautica is the silence. You know you're alone, there's no one to talk to. I can't stand the sequel because of all the canned dialog. It feels more like an interactive episode of Scooby-Doo than a survival game.

[@D.Mom0]

Yeah I agree with you the second one took the "terror" out of it with how much interactions you have with Alan and the few other persons even the prologue lets you know how much you're not alone anymore.

[@cdyhde5904]

@@D.Mom0 honestly, one of the biggest scare factors in the original subnautica was the feeling of complete isolation (I realise margerueit was there but at the time we didn't know that) and finding record logs of the degasi crew who were killed by this planet. I played about 6 hours of below zero and could only get to the part where margeurit arrived in er prawn suit. After that it wasn't particulary scary anymore. And i also hated the dialogue that fucking sucked

[@nicholasdonohue4997]

I loved the hope the game first gave you when the Sunbeam was coming down to rescue you before it rips it away and you realize you are now truly alone.

[@lasercraft32]

Its not just silence though... in fact, there's almost always some background noise. That makes it scarier though, because its not familiar comforting sounds. Its silent... but not literally. You're alone... but not really. Because there are tons of creatures lurking in the foggy waters, and even when you're in a safe place, it still feels like something could swim out of the abyss at any moment because of the ambient sounds.

[@jblockminermc5401]

@@lasercraft32 not all of the sounds give you fear however, some end up giving you a feeling of comfort knowing what they are. The sound of reefbacks peacefully cruising above still feels me with relief and is often where I make my bases just so I can listen to them.

[@blacky_Ninja]

It is really interesting how much a simple floor can do for you in regards of „comfort“. The first time i tried to explore an area with this severe drop of the ocean floor i was practically glued to it with my little moth, even if i could‘ve gone much higher and still see the floor. 😅

[@starblast-2246]

Damn this was a very well made video dawg, cant wait to see where you go in the future

[@DumbguyMc]

Ive played subnautica through like 2 or 3 times and it never ever gets easier going into reaper leviathan territory. You proved your point, literally every time you were face checking a leviathan hotspot you gave me anxiety and it wasn't even me playing.

[@if5069]

Just checked the comments on this beautiful video and read about how you deserve so much more views.. and I was shocked to see the views at around 370! Thank you for your content and I'm looking forward to see you grow :) with that type of quality content you definitely deserve everything!

[@Tomkon]

Super kind words, thanks a lot and I'm glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@harryc657]

Subnautica didn't get scary to me until I found the very edge of the map. I love exploring and mapping out strange areas, especially if it means discovering beautiful biodomes. There was maybe one area DEEP underwater that surprised me by how hostile it was. But the edge of the map, where there's nothing but a void... that scared the crap out of me.

[@Hanitcal69]

Really insightful and well done video dude. You earned my sub

[@raicqu4586]

This is probabily the most underrated video I've ever seen

[@xray5006]

This one video was one of the best I've seen. It was like an inspirational speech mixed with the fact that something we all have. Is the one thing that holds us back. Never thought I'd see this in a subnautica video. Thank you for the video.

[@MythicBeanProductions]

I never died to a reaper on my first playthrough. I never even got grabbed by one. I was so utterly terrified by the reapers that I would spend 30+ minutes carefully finding my way around wherever they were at to make sure they never found me. the first and only time I ever ran into one head on was after I'd shut off the alien gun and I was in my cyclops but by that point of course, I already had a shield module and more than enough power cells, but it still scared me a lot

[@SS2020user]

I've wanted to play Subnautica for so long, but as I'm TERRYFIED of the sea I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

[@echonvoid]

Ok the way you presented your last line just gave me goosebumps. The “and I think that makes it worth it” or whatever it was. Just chills

[@uhhhidk.1234]

The spadefish at 2:07 evolved solely for speed, nothing else.

[@lenlen8417]

First time I traveled through Lost River and came upon the Ghost Tree I felt comfort. Something so beautiful in such a horrifying place. It made me wanna go back just to see the tree again and watch the creatures play around it. I feel like Below Zero forgot about that aspect. If we get Subnautica 3 I hope they emulate the first one more rather than the second.

[@darknessdash1853]

A game that gave me the same vibe of "fear of exploration" was "outerwilds". I would recommend it.

[@SAVAGE-GAMER-]

Great thumbnail, that's what caught my attention lol

[@thomasdevlin5825]

One missed opportunity from the original subnautica was the addition of a proper deep ocean biome, where you hop out of the seamoth and there's just nothing underneath you, and when you go down to the bottom it's so deep the water is actually pitch black. Below zero captured the feeling pretty well with the sparse arctic, it's just open ocean, very little life and the water below you goes down for several hundred meters

[@LucyWest370]

Isnt that just the void

[@gibbybtw280]

@@LucyWest370 yeah I guess

[@waifuwaffles7697]

That is a thing in Subnautica you idiot. The fucking void how do you have a subnautica pfp but are clueless to one of the most important things in gameplay/lore

[@herojesse]

You ever have that nightmare of being in a dark endless ocean deep in the water no way to the surface no way to the bottom it feels like something is lurking but nothing is there you are alone it's cold. Subnatica reminds me of that dream I always wait for morning in the game to do anything

[@tac0salesman493]

“Fear comes from the lack of firepower” oh how this fits in so well with subnatica

[@EvilEye0]

The shock mod for the Seamoth being the best example.

[@jackdaniels5071]

@@EvilEye0 after I crafted it I wasn't afraid of reapers

[@jackdaniels5071]

@Aidan Ward well without the upgrade my very soul shits its pants

[@whocares8615]

Played this game when it got released: was scared as hell and screamed at every minute when I was away from the starter zone near the dead zones screaming for my life after a reaper rips me apart 😭 Redownloading the game 2 years later: don’t give af about the danger and race the reaper to safety😎

[@beepityboppop-6650]

Hahahaha. Have you gone into the void?

[@alecchristiaen4856]

I was so excited to explore Subnautica when I bought it (only heard some basics on the premise; no proper footage) that I completely forgot I have thalasophobia. The game made me remember.

[@medical-cyanide1526]

so do to technical limitations I've only recently been able to play this game, but even seeing it on this site when it first came out and be caught rapt with its beauty and wonder. I know more or less the story and probably have watched more then a few videos on some of the games secrets or what not. but I still wanted to play this game. while I haven't finished the game and still have barely left the reef so far in my short time playing this game. I have major respect towards this game. that despite me knowing the story, most of the creatures and land marks you can come across, its sheer wonder and beauty has still drawn me in, and while it may take a while for me to actually finish the game due to IRL stuff. I have an inkling that i will probably come back to the game every once and a while for years to come. almost like Minecraft in a sense? However with Minecraft i feel the draw is more or less the limitless possibilities, in Subnautica its the wonder of the world it places you in. Side note: If you want to play a game that can truly put the fear of water and the unknown in you, play Barotruama.

[@foster2095]

these video essays that aren't an hour+ are SO refreshing 🤍

[@Youwanttodream]

Great video ! You've expressed exactly what I felt playing the game myself. I took so long to get out of the shallows and the red grass area it was embarassing lol

[@Casey093]

Oh good lord, thank you! I thought it was only me that was terrified by this game. Sure, you can paddle around on the surface and collect all the copper and stuff for all eternity. But to get ahead, you always have to dive deeper than your suit and sub can go, and swim around in patch black water.

[@Izuky_]

What you said really touched me since i did jump from a moving boat when i was younger, i was in the island "Mayotte" and got invited by a friend for a boat tour around the island. During the afternoon, dolphins were chasing our boat, and swiming with dolphins was one of my biggest childhood dreams so... i didn't ask shit and jumped from the boat after quickly telling my friend i was going to. I just had a mask and i was living my best day when i was with them, even if it was a few seconds... then it was terror, when i realised i couldn't see them anymore because we were on the middle of the ocean... i Think i never swam that fast ever again lmao, but yes, subnautica is a masterpiece for recreating this sensation ! Now let's pray for Subnautica 3 ! :D

[@heretictom]

You really did a good job identifying and explaining what is scary about this game!

[@ZainAhmed-ns2di]

I remember, even once I conquered everything and saw everything there was to see, I was still afraid when I was in the vast empty ocean with nothing around

[@gayleporter7203]

Very cool perspective! You summed it up.

[@Zisujitsu]

I am currently playing subnautica at the time of this comment, I have watched various youtubers play the game and I have a substantial amount of insight to how the game works and what events could transpire, though this was 5 years ago, back when it first released and I watched people playing it for the first time, enjoying that experience with them, now my memory of the game is frail and hazy. One faithful day I had come across a subnautica 3 speculation video and that hit me with a wave of nostalgia and longing to play the game and so after years of not touching the game, fearing I have already known what I may experience, I was still surprised and completely immersed despite my previous knowledge of the game. I played the game slow, I started the game slow aswell just to completely sink myself to the environment, and then suddenly it hit me, I have to eventually go through the horrifying places that I have countless times seen other people go through, the areas were still unknown interms of experience ofcourse and even despite knowing what lurks beneath, I was still just as terrified as I would have playing the game blindly, navigating through right dark corridors of cave systems, hearing the occasional banging of my cyclops' hull was an experience I got no amount of watching other people play the game could ever give. Prior to me finally exploring the lost river, I spent 56 hours INGAME time before I decided to finally step out of my comfort zone, those 56 hours ofcourse spent immersing myself to the world and the lore of the world, granting myself the creative freedom of base building and absolutely over designing everything. Now that I finished exploring the lost river and all the other tidbits I forgot were part of the game, I am so glad I worked up the courage to jump into the void and got to experience that first hand, although apparently and I'm fully well aware, the game still goes deeper.

[@IamGhede]

I don't think I will ever beat this game. It just terrifies me too much. I only played hardcore. Probably a mistake. I still remember the first time a reaper grabbed my seamoth. I started button mashing in sheer panic and I thought turning the lights on and off blinded it and that's why it let me go.

[@thebloxconductor1870]

Fun fact, the reaper knows how to echolocate, so if you can hear it, it sees you

[@xenodrone3367]

Trust me buddy Finish it It's beautiful

[@tyrantofcans465]

Untold horrors lurk only within the bouquet of beauty when ripened by time and unfamiliarity. We were never meant to venture far... but life finds a way.

[@xJDAxGaming]

You capture the ideas behind subnautica so well and a I whole heartedly agree. You never have to finish the game to enjoy it. But man pushing exploration to its limits is what we do as a species and the fear of the unknown is probably one of the biggest fears humans have. 100% agree with this video love it.

[@ernstgottschalk8023]

"Multiple levaithan lifeforms detected in this area. Are you sure what you are doing is worth it?" - but you can't see anything....

[@theglitchcounter264]

Their feedback system definitely helped them get that right amount of “call” for the void.

[@spectrickx1678]

Subnautica even when you know the ins and outs, still feels amazing, fresh, and terrifying.

[@calebblevins6415]

My first experience with Subnautica was being terrified of the dark zones with low light, and then one day I just "ran off the breakwater" and the game opened up to me.

[@danielwalker7494]

That was how I described the horror aspect of it. Yeah sure there are monsters and spooky lights and stuff, but there was never anything that was nearly as scary as the ocean itself. The fact that this great, yawning void was open in front of you at all times and you had to deliberately and actively choose to plunge yourself further into it. You have to keep holding down that 'go forward' button to head out to meet whatever strange and unknowable fate awaited you in that direction.

[@witec83]

"“It's not safe out here. It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross. But it's not for the timid. " - Q

[@robertbodden8810]

Subnautica: Do you have thalassophobia? Me: Not really Subnautica: Would you like to?

[@ssj4broly974]

This is the only game to make me feel actual dread! Don’t get me wrong I’ve been scared in games in the past. like SCP containment breach. There was a moment in that where an scp came walking towards me so I panicked n paused.. the game then unpaused itself with the text “stop hiding” But this game made me feel something completely new. As I went down to the blood kelp zone it started playing the lava castle music, and I got this awful feeling of dread and anxiety, the thumping of that music made me think something was gonna happen or something was coming…. But nothing did. It was incredible!

[@madcat4563]

The first time I played subnautica, my reaction was that it is so beautiful. And then I had to start leaving my comfort zone and was excited to rescue the other survivors. Naive

[@DennisYangI]

Even after mapping out all the path way that is almost totally safe in your mind, the sense of dread is still there.

[@Spookyma2]

Subnautica scares me with the unknown, but once the unknown becomes known, it becomes a new normal. I realised that while playing the game, I became less scared from the deep ocean, and that kinda felt nice in a way. Just as where I started, I had no idea what it was I were doing or where I were, but once I started to explore, I realised why you needn't be scared. It's the same with every other place and biome too. Some are a little harder to overcome, but each same with the help of the skills you've learned throughout your journey.

[@DulcetCatharsis]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You deserve so many more views than you get. This was amazing

[@mikemartinez9703]

I love survival games, the depleting resources and the desire to escape the tough situation drives the game beautifully. I completed subnautica thoroughly and it was terrifying but gratifying. The dread of failure, and the thrill of success are balanced well.

[@marshallscot]

I'm a simple man. I see Subnautica content, I click.

[@isaacnelson8732]

The scariest thing in the game is accidently hitting a fish with your Seamoth.

[@paulsmithson6866]

Underwater tunnels, limited air. Totally stressful combination.

[@mRibbons]

Thanks for the reminder to revisit this game. I'm sure it's a good game in pancake mode, but it's simply incredible in VR.

[@ruthlesslistener]

I think the points you made for Subnautica being a horror game (an unknown water world, complete freedom over your own choices) is why its one of my relaxation games. Granted, I did seriously think about becoming a marine biologist before selecting an evolution major, but being able to just go out and explore as you wish and observe this curious, beautiful new world is just so...freeing

[@ronitdey2687]

I have said it before and will say it again...this is one of the most well thought game ever made. It literally plays with the players phsycological terror centres...add with that perfect sound effects, excellent creativity, great mechanisms, unbound freedom and immense beauty. I will give anything to experience it for the first time again.

[@Spiney09]

These are my favorite types of games to play. No guided levels, always being able to go anywhere once you have the gear for it. My three favorite games are Ark: Survival Evolved, Subnautica, and Hollow Knight. All games that give the freedom to go wherever you want at any time.

[@TrangleC]

My family took summer vacations on an Croatian island (Krk) several times during my childhood and one time they had a large, inflatable island they anchored maybe 150 meters/yards out into the sea and I remember how scared I was swimming out to that thing and back. I loved snorkeling in the shallow surf, but out there the sea floor was pretty far down already and I remember looking down and seeing fish that looked as if they were as big as me swimming around beneath me. That was pretty unnerving and I was pretty glad each time I reached the end of one of those trips. I also was proud that I had conquered my fear each time, but strangely enough, it never went away and I always felt unsettling, even after having done it many times.

[@MrEyescream]

I remember as a child (11yo) , me and my family went on vacation to the Dominican Republic. And there, i swam often in the shallow ocean, diving those 3-4 meters to the ground and looking what was down there. One day, i got to some kind of edge, where the water suddenly drops from 3-5 meter, to who knows how deep. And from the edge onwards, it was like a dark curtain was in front of me. It scared the sh*t out of me, and i paniced back to the beach and yelled to my father to came back. This is one of my best clearest memorys of the whole vaccation.

[@hunterowen8479]

Got me needing to redownload these games! It’s so funny how scary it was at first to journey away from your pod

[@alexandergreig5576]

The scariest part of this game for me was trying to find the sea traders path without going into the dunes or the void, had me pissing myself for like 15 minutes

[@DiscoGoesOn5067]

Thankfully one of the (Spoilers) Castle Portals dropped me off just short of the Sea Treaders Path. There were bone sharks between me and them but I wasn't really scared of them so long as I was in my prawn suit. The really scary part was when I followed them into the Grand Reef without realizing a Ghost Leviathan lives nearby. Scared the shit out of me when I looked behind myself to see he was already charging at me.

[@quelquundebien.9283]

I don't regret subbing to your channel, your videos are fascinating because of the way you talk and put your arguments in order Great job man, keep on the good content 😁

[@TheFosterKelly]

“The unknown is not always scary” *that reaper in the distance calling bs*

[@chillycoldchomper9389]

I have a major fear of the ocean and water in general. I got Subnautica over 2 years ago when I was playing a whole load of horror games as a 15 year old. When I loaded up Subnautica and went onto of my pod, I just frose there, I couldn't see any land. I thought there was a starter island with the option of staying there for a while, but you are just thrown in the water with only a cute pod for safety. Minecraft oceans scared me as a kid, so experiencing this was too much for me. I just stayed in the pod for a few in game days looking at the menu over and over again, trying to build up courage. I believe it was the third or fourth day that I finally got outside the pod (during the day) and jumped in. The coral reef was really beautiful, and shocked me that I was scared of the cute habitat and even animals that were always here. I could've witnessed the beauty much earlier, but I was limited by my own fear. For the next few in game weeks I could travel out as far out in the kelp forrest during the day with no problem, although as soon as it started to go dark I hid in my pod and I'd just read everything about the fauna and flora that I've scanned for the rest of the night. This was the start of my Subnautica adventure of not only learning the ropes, but also learning to get out of my comfort zone to see all the amazing things out there. I didn't start off confident where I could do backflips in the watery nights of Subnautica. Of course there is going to be a scary experience and maybe even a little dangerous with some regret sprinkled in, but the reward can be so much more. Trying out new things helped me grow as a person to do stuff that I'd never saw myself doing all those years ago. Sometimes it takes a bit of time, and a lot of courage and determination, we can't just wait for it to happen. And in the end, it might just be one of the best things you could've ever done.

[@BottomBunkArt]

I have a major fear of deep water and I was trying to watch this video in the bathroom. The shot you used until 3:54 while telling your story about jumping into the ocean made it impossible to stay on the toilet.

[@dianeoctor5166]

I do remember the awe that I felt when seeing the Aurora blow up or even when i first approached the ghost tree. But good lord those good moments can't hide the fact that I did not dare to enter fully the blood kelps before a moment or that time where i wanted to see the Aurora more closely and any player knows what happened after. Just like you said I was not obligated to go there but I still went and every step I was more or less like " why am I doing this ? I'm stepping out of some safe boundaries I should backtrack".

[@wearethenewsnow3644]

Im about 10 hours into this. This game is nuts. You can't fathom what it's like until you play it. The ambience is CRAZY. You can hear everything.

[@isaacthomas1198]

As someone with severe thalassophobia, I have sunk a good 26 hours into Subnautica and I have still not gone further than the Sparse Reef or the Mushroom Forest. I have every vehicle, and two bases, and yet I have yet to enter the Lost River. I haven’t played in a while since I’ve found myself at a sort of standstill due to the absolute fear induced by those deeper, emptier areas. As a non horror game, Subnautica has my genuine applause for just how utterly terrifying it is, as least to me

[@overcookedbacon1135]

why does "into the unknown" feel so menacing

[@nessyno-name3855]

I played Subnautica for the first time myself after experiencing it as a Lets Play. I find your point about how the player always has the freedom to go or *not* go anywhere poignant, as in the entirety of my first playthrough, I NEVER ventured into the Mountains or Dunes biomes, as that was where the Reapers primarily were. I completed the entire game avoiding those very large sections of the map because I couldn't stand to face the Reapers. I was able to adjust the horror level of the game to my liking somewhat because of the freedom the game gave me.

[@kingnocho1231]

Amazing video, you have a talent for video essays.