Published May 14, 2026, 12:33 PM EDT The underwater crafting sequel is an immediate sensation Image: Unknown Worlds/Krafton Sign in to your Polygon.com account Subnautica 2 is off to a successful launch after releasing in early access today. According to developer Unknown Worlds, the underwater crafting sequel sold one million copies in its first hour. The success doesn't come as a surprise if you've been following Subnautica 2 's development history, but the numbers are still eye-popping. The direct sequel to 2018's hit survival game Subnautica has enjoyed a steady stream of excitement since its announcement in 2022. It became headline news in 2025 due to some tumultuous behind-the-scenes drama involving Unknown Worlds and publisher Krafton. Following a string of lawsuits and a delay to 2026, Subnautica 2 finally launched into early access on May 14 for Windows PC and Xbox Series X. The anticipation didn't fade in that time.…