Subnautica - Xbox One

You've crashed on an alien world, your ship's a wreck and you're adrift on a vast ocean. Your job is to survive. And maybe try to enjoy it while you're there, yeah?

Yep, Subnautica is a survival game, but it's also an opportunity to explore a strange and beautiful world that's been crafter for you to marvel at. That doesn't mean there aren't things to be scared of - moments like your first meeting with the creatures out there in the red kelp will ratchet up the tension to rival some of the hairiest first-person scare-fests. Other moments are quieter and full of wonder, though. It's telling that you won't get much by way of weaponry in Subnautica. A knife, a propulsion gun, some sort-of-offensive torpedoes attached to one of your vehicles... but you have as much to gain by studying the weird and wonderful creatures you meet as you do from stabbing them. As much as it's a game about staying alive, it's about discovery too. Once you've built your base there's a good chance you'll spend a lot of time just perching in the observatory and watching things swim by.

That said, if you do want to up the ante there's a hardcore mode that gives you just one life to try to hold onto. On the other hand, if you just want to enjoy poking around the depths you can opt to turn off the food and water meters and just enjoy swimming around.

Take the time to smell the seaweed or hand onto your life by your fingertips - it's up to you! more