Players drawn to games likeSubnauticaand the intrinsic horror found in deep-sea gaming should keep an eye on the upcomingWeldiverwith its realistic scenarios, extreme settings, and a deep story experienced through the lens of an underwater welder. When it was first released as an early access game,Subnauticabecame an indie hit within the gaming community for its underwater twist on the survival crafting formula, something which has led to its follow-upSubnautica Below Zeroand its recently announced sequel,Subnautica 2. This same success appears to have inspired other like-minded underwater survival games such as the upcomingWeldiver.
While theSubnauticaseries has ruled with its nicheof exploring the aquatic depths of alien worlds,Weldiverseems to be catering to a more realistic and intentionally darker side of the underwater survival genre thatSubnauticadoesn’t. With its trailers showcasing scenarios inspired by real-world counterparts ranging from aircraft carriers to spaceport ships,Weldiver’s story and gameplay appear to offer a grounded experience with realistic welding mechanics and working conditions. But with the additional challenges of underwater emergencies, such as equipment failure and hostile wildlife,Weldiveralso drives home the present-day fear of the deep sea rather than the sci-fi ofSubnautica.
Weldiver Channels The Underwater Horror of Subnautica
Many ofSubnautica’s most memorable moments range from first-time encounters with the Reaper Leviathan to venturing beyond the game’s playable area and into the Void, all of which taps into the sense of thalassophobia. Even despite calmer areas of the game, such as interacting with a Cuddlefish or building underwater bases,Subnauticaseems tailored to deep sea horrorswith its distant creature sounds and increasingly dim lighting as players dive deeper. But any potential underwater horror inSubnauticais diminished when players can rely on their tools and vehicles like Prawn Suits, Cyclops, or Seatrucks to avoid danger.
This is whereWeldivermight take the same fear of the deep sea and go further with it than theSubnauticaseries did, such as using its modern-day setting on Earth to its advantage, unlike the fictional world of Planet 4546B.SubnauticaandWeldivershare a similar approach in gameplay where players are tasked with building, repairing, and maintaining underwater constructs and vehicles which means the latter can channel the same uneasiness of working alone in deep water just like the former. For example, though the aquatic flora and fauna might be different,Weldiver’s teased shark encounters couldstill rivalSubnautica’s Reaper Leviathans.
Weldiver’s Realism Could Amp Up its Horror Over Subnautica
AsWeldiver’s Steam page outlines, the game’s story will follow the career of an underwater welder taking on extreme challenges in hazardous conditions. But while this seems similar toSubnauticaand scratches the same itch,Weldiverleans into its present-day setting. Players will have to contend with a range of problems from near-zero visibility to equipment failures like gas leaks, electric shocks, and total communication loss. So, whereSubnauticaplayers can instantly heal, repair, or escape potential issues,Weldiverappears to force its players to contend with the real forces of nature in Earth’s waters.
This limited and more realistic scope could giveWeldivera much stronger horror atmosphere, especially when the upcoming game has already been likened toa cross betweenSubnauticaandThe Forest, another hit indie horror game. In addition to its teased story about an underwater welder trying to support his partner and child,Weldiverwears its stakes on its sleeve, which combined with its realistic gameplay may potentially increase the game’s tension in its life-or-death situations. Both it andSubnautica 2slated to be released sometime during 2025.
Subnautica
WHERE TO PLAY
You have crash-landed on an alien ocean world, and the only way to go is down. Subnautica’s oceans range from sun drenched shallow coral reefs to treacherous deep-sea trenches, lava fields, and bio-luminescent underwater rivers. Manage your oxygen supply as you explore kelp forests, plateaus, reefs, and winding cave systems. The water teems with life: Some of it helpful, much of it harmful.After crash landing in your Life Pod, the clock is ticking to find water, food, and to develop the equipment you need to explore. Collect resources from the ocean around you. Craft knives, lights, diving gear, and personal water craft. Venture deeper and further form to find rarer resources, allowing you to craft more advanced items.Build bases on the sea floor. Choose layouts and components, and manage hull-integrity as depth and pressure increase. Use your base to store resources, park vehicles, and replenish oxygen supplies as you explore the vast ocean.
