I bounced off of it for years on pc with mouse and keyboard. The dark depths were really scary so it was difficult to get into.
This last time I started on the steam deck and it was amazing. I feel like the smaller screen was easier to deal with. The ability to map and up and down to the grips made navigating in the 3d space feel like second nature.
Looking forward to playing Below Zero in the future.
I especially like how the game's narrative and tool selection tries to push the player into avoiding and respecting the leviathan predators instead of encouraging outright killing them.
And the predator/prey ai is pretty great. I really felt like a small fish skittering around under the nose of these huge apex predators!
One of my all-time favorite games. So many great decisions. The emphasis on exploration and discovery over combat or production/optimization makes it a somewhat rare bird. They nailed the essence of what a sandbox is supposed to be. Such an incredible mix of visually striking and terrifying, in the best way.
I would caution you about Below Zero. It's good, and there are some improvements, but it's a different style of game. The world feels smaller, and the narrative is more direct and linear. If you enjoyed Subnautica, I definitely recommend giving it a go, but don't go in with the same expectations. On the other hand, Below Zero is arguably less "scary" than the first, and may actually suit your playstyle better.
Either way, there is a third instalment in the works and I am hype.
Thanks for the advice about Below Zero!
It does sound like I'd like it the same if not more. I had no idea subnautica had plot more than just escape and I found the lore and storytelling to be incredibly compelling. If it's got more of that then I'm definitely on board!
And a third game in the works is very exciting. I like that it's a shared universe with natural selection 2. That was a fun game too!