‘Subnautica 2’ Early Access Gameplay Trailer: Call Of The Tree

In a pre-launch showcase, Unknown Worlds premiered an all-new gameplay trailer for the early access launch of Subnautica 2 early. You can view the trailer below:

The trailer which lasts for 1 minute and 38 seconds, opens in a life pod that is seemingly crashing down to the new planet, red lights are constantly flashing, and the onboard AI, NoA introduces themself. “I am NoA.” The player falls to the floor, “My job is your life. Find a convenient way to die” as our player is seen flying towards the window. The Unknown Worlds logo is shown as we fade to the lifepod on the ocean surface, a player emerges from what appears to be a stasis pod. Another seemingly AI assistant opens with, “Welcome back, Pioneer.” Our player jumps into the water, and the assistant continues, “For the sake of all our sleeping friends, we have to learn how to survive.”

We cut to an abandoned base named “Camp One”, and we’re introduced to one of our new tools which resembles an axe. An offscreen voice says, “No one wants to talk about how we got here.” We cut to the player mining some quartz and a ring-shaped fish is seen in the background. The voice continues, “All you need to know is that it’s beautiful to die over and over again.” A third-person view of the player is shown as we see them scan a crab disguised as a rock. In the next scene, the sonic blaster is being fabricated. The player arrives at a dark cave, a mysterious plant is in the centre and a resource is harvested from it using the blaster. The plant opens up revealing a purple pod of sorts.

We cut to the inside of a base where the purple pod is placed in a Sampling Pavillion, another offscreen voice says, “We’ve set up a lab here with a few basic biomods, they’re safe.” Biomods are a new mechanic in Subnautica 2, but it’s unclear how they will operate in-game. The player pushes their hand into the pod, their hand is covered in a transparent gel. The voice continues, “But if you start to hear voices, or if you get the urge to swim to the tree, don’t go!” We see a painting of the mysterious tree which resembles the giant structure seen in the cinematic trailer that released on April 30th, 2026, for Subnautica 2. This painting is seen inside an abandoned base covered with barnacles.

We cut to some co-op gameplay where the players are seen growing crops, building bases and exploring with the tadpole, the new vehicle in Subnautica 2. The voice continues at this time, “Forget your debt. Forget NoA. Forget Alterra. Forget the life you imagined. It’s all gone now.” During that sequence we see another plant with a purple pod in it closer to the surface, perhaps these pods are a way of unlocking the various biomods. The player (inside the tadpole) is attacked by a new fish called the Hammerhead, the voice says, “You’re going to die here” as we cut to a seemingly deceased explorer inside an abandoned ship wreck. “And that’s alright” the voice says as we see one of the new biomes, “Pick the most interesting thing you can see, and explore.” 

We cut to a wall of eyes which belong to the giant clam, also seen in the cinematic trailer. The player tried to escape before we move on to a fish being eaten by another fish with sharp teeth in a murky area.”Wouldn’t that set you free” as the player observes an abandoned tadpole, it’s possible that we aren’t the first group of Pioneers to explore this new planet. We see a group of players swimming past a strange metallic structure, the voice says, “And I know where this mission will end.” In the inside of an alien structure not resembling those of Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero’s Architect, a door opens. The voice says, “You’ll join us soon enough” as we zoom out of the building. The trailer ends with the Subnautica 2 logo and the Early Access release date of May 14th, 2026, “Wishlist Today!” is seen below it.

What Is Subnautica 2 About?

Subnautica 2 is the third entry in the long-running underwater survival horror franchise. This title follows a group of Alterra employees who find themselves on an all new planet that houses a new array of underwater mysteries and dangers. Read the official synopsis below:

“Driven from your home by ongoing conflict, Alterra offers you the chance at a new life. But as the colony ship CICADA shepherds you and your fellow Pioneers to your new home, something goes awry. The ship’s AI insists that your mission should continue. Stranded and faced with near-insurmountable odds, you must do everything in your power to survive. The future of humanity on this world is in your hands.”

Subnautica 2 is developed by Unknown Worlds. The game launches in early access for $29.99 USD on PC (Steam and Epic Games) and Xbox Series X|S on May 14th, 2026 at 11:00 AM EDT.

Thanks for reading our article on what to expect on the Subnautica 2 Early Access Gameplay Trailer. If you enjoyed it, consider checking out some of our Other Subnautica Articles and Gaming Section.