Subnautica 2 Steam Peak Already 9x the Original After One Hour

Subnautica 2 launched into Early Access on May 14, 2026, and in just the first hour on Steam, it hit a peak of concurrent players that was nine times larger than the original Subnautica’s all-time high. This sets the sequel on track to compete with Slay the Spire 2 for the title of the biggest Steam launch of 2026, as per GamesRadar’s live tracking.

The first Subnautica, created by Unknown Worlds Entertainment, reached around 37,000 concurrent players during its full launch in 2018. Subnautica 2 surpassing that figure by nine times within just 60 minutes indicates a much larger audience. The original game built its player base over several years through word-of-mouth and the growth of the survival genre.

Slay the Spire 2, which launched into Early Access on March 6, 2026, currently holds the record with a peak of 132,000 concurrent players. This figure came during a review controversy that briefly overshadowed its otherwise strong reception. Mega Crit’s sequel has around 84,294 active players and boasts 93% positive reviews on Steam based on 58,170 submissions, making it one of the most highly-rated Early Access titles this year.

The contrast between these two games is striking. One is a co-op underwater survival game, while the other is a solo roguelike deck-builder. Both launched in Early Access for under $30 and are sequels to genre-defining titles. Subnautica 2’s ability to challenge Slay the Spire 2’s 2026 peak in its first hour suggests that Unknown Worlds and publisher Krafton planned an exceptionally well-timed launch.

In the world of Early Access survival games, player retention is crucial. The original Subnautica spent about two years in Early Access before its full release in January 2018. That gradual build helped create the loyal community that Subnautica 2 is now benefiting from. Whether Subnautica 2 can turn its impressive opening hour into lasting daily player counts will determine if this launch becomes a true highlight of 2026 or just another instance of initial hype.

By The Numbers

Subnautica 2 peak (first hour, Early Access)	~333,000+ concurrent (9x original peak)
Original Subnautica all-time Steam peak	~37,000 concurrent
Slay the Spire 2 peak concurrent players	132,000
Slay the Spire 2 Steam review score	93% positive (58,170 reviews)
Slay the Spire 2 current price (Steam)	$24.99

The community’s reaction to Slay the Spire 2’s Early Access phase provides a helpful context. Some reviewers criticized the game’s RNG systems; one Steam user bluntly stated, “It’s totally RNG based.” This criticism led to a review controversy in early May, even while the game maintained an overall 93% positive rating. This shows how Early Access audiences balance systemic complaints with overall enjoyment.

What To Watch

• Peak player confirmation: Keep an eye on SteamDB’s 24-hour and all-time peak figures for Subnautica 2. These will finalize the 2026 launch ranking, so watch for those numbers to stabilize over the next 48 hours.
• Review trajectory: Early Access review scores for survival games can change significantly in the first two weeks as players progress beyond the initial hours. Subnautica 2’s review percentage at the 10,000-review mark will indicate whether the sequel lives up to the expectations set by its launch numbers.
• Slay the Spire 2 content updates: Mega Crit’s frequency of Early Access updates will play a key role in whether its 84,000-player base holds steady or declines as Subnautica 2 captures attention from both survival and indie gaming audiences.