Base building is one of the most important aspects of a survival game, and with that being said, Subnautica 2 is cooking up something big for builders this time. So, pull on those swim fins and inflatable wings, and let’s take a look at what’s new.

Unknown Worlds has revealed that base building in being rebuilt with a new system that focuses on flexibility, customization, and player creativity. They say the building system has been in development for about three years and was redesigned from the ground up to support a more complex construction framework than earlier titles. The developers mentioned that the most challenging part they worked on was this system and they don’t believe they’ve seen anything like it in other survival games.

As explained by the developers, the new approach replaces many of the fixed structural pieces used in previous games. Instead, bases are built using a tile-based system where individual segments coordinate with adjacent tiles. This structure lets designers create a wide variety of shapes while still following the game’s building rules. Players are no longer limited to a handful of predefined modules and can adopt a more sculptural style of construction, shaping structures more freely.

Windows are one example of this change, since the original Subnautica relied on large structural pieces with designated slots for them. In the new system, windows can be created in a wider range of shapes and integrated more flexibly into walls and corridors. Some structural pieces are still being worked on. One example mentioned by the team is a fully round room, which is intended to echo designs seen in the original game.

Corridors have also received significant attention during development. Programming curved structures and corridors are among the most technically complex parts of the system because each section must align correctly while still allowing variation in design.

Players will also be able to paint their bases and change color schemes throughout a structure. Interior cosmetic options will allow adjustments to lighting, including changing light colors and turning lights on or off.

Multiplayer plays a role in how bases are expected to function. Players will be able to build and decorate shared environments with friends, creating individual rooms within a larger structure. The system is intended to support collaborative building while still allowing each player to shape their own space.

The developers describe the design philosophy as a balance between structure and freedom, where the underlying system relies on strict building rules, but the visible result is meant to give players more control over the form and style of their underwater bases.

I’m all for customization and the new building possibilities. What is seen in the new building footage makes it look like Subnautica 2 is in pretty good shape for this year’s release.