Last week, Unknown Worlds Entertainment unveiled the latest big update for Subnautica: Below Zero, aptly named the Lost Ship update. Just before the release of the Deep Dive update in November 2019, project leader David Kalina revealed that their writer, Tom Jubert, had left the Below Zero team, and Jill Murray (known for her work on franchises like Tomb Raider and Assassin’s Creed), would be taking over. Kalina admitted that they’d had trouble with the story and that this year would see major changes. The Lost Ship update looks to be the last big update with the current story.
Lost Ship Update
The Mercury II: Since the release of Subnautica: Below Zero back in January 2019, the sunken ship has remained a mystery, but now it is a fully-fleshed ship named The Mercury II. The crashed ship is split in two, with one half in the Lilypad Islands and the other in the Purple Vents. The interior hasn’t changed dramatically, but the exterior now contains discernible features, and we can see the extent of the crash in each biome.
Trivalves: Whenever new creatures are added to Subnautica: Below Zero, there is always a mix of fascination and dread as we anticipate whether they will be friend or foe, but luckily the new creatures are harmless. On top of their adorableness, Trivalves are interactive and can be commanded to follow the player. Not only that, but they can swim and walk on land, so no matter where you’re exploring, your tiny little friend can join you.
The crashed ship now has an all-new look.
Brinicles: It wouldn’t be Subnautica without something trying to kill us, and in this update it’s the Brinicles. These are incredibly harmful ice formations that freezes anything that gets too close for a limited amount of time. They are fully animated and can sometimes be seen growing from the underside of icebergs.
New Weather Effect: From blizzards and hail, to those cloudless days, each weather effect in Subnautica: Below Zero is both graphically pleasing and fascinating to watch, and the new update does not disappoint. At night, players can now look up at the winding lights of the new Aurora Borealis weather effect.
Improvements: As with all updates, improvements have been made. In the Lost Ship update, details in the Deep Lilypad Caves and the Thermal Spires have been polished, as well as improvements made to the Snowfox HUD.
Story: As mentioned, the story is likely to change quite dramatically, so the current story will only be playable for what looks like the next few months, as the new story is expected to come into play with the next big update.
Subnautica: Below Zero is available on PC (Steam), and is currently in early access.
