Subnautica 2 Introduces Exciting Co-Op Buddy System with Unique Chat Features

After the buzz surrounding the furious fish, the next big demand from players in Subnautica 2’s early access has been enhanced co-op features. It seems many gamers prefer to dive into this eerie underwater survival experience with friends rather than exploring the depths solo. With the release of version 1.2 today, developer Unknown Worlds has rolled out significant upgrades to the co-op experience, including proximity chat, player trading, and the ability to revive teammates.

Since Subnautica 2 launched into early access on May 14, player feedback has largely focused on two main issues. The first was the heated debate over whether players should be able to harm the fish (the answer is a resounding no), and the second was the call for improved co-op gameplay. Unknown Worlds tackled the first concern in their major update on July 8, which made it easier to fend off the more annoyingly aggressive creatures while also reducing their damage. They promised that version 1.2 would shift the focus to enhancing cooperative play.

Now that version 1.2 is live, a trailer and vlog have been released to detail the changes.

Creative director Anthony Gallegos leads the charge on this update, highlighting the most significant new feature: proximity voice chat. This in-game communication system is cleverly designed to feel immersive; players can hear each other clearly when close together, but as distance increases, the audio quality deteriorates, eventually cutting out entirely.

There are also some rather nostalgic emotes reminiscent of early-2000s MMOs, though they may feel a bit unnecessary with the addition of voice chat. More practically, inventory sharing allows players to approach a friend and access their backpack, enabling item swaps while maintaining immersion by requiring proximity instead of magical item transfers.

The final major addition is the player revive feature. If you die outside, instead of respawning at your base immediately, a short timer gives other players the chance to swim over and share oxygen to bring you back to life. To help with coordination in larger groups, there are also two new pioneer skins and additional suit colors for better identification.

Beyond co-op enhancements, several other features have been introduced, including a tracking tag device. This functions like an in-game version of an Apple AirTag, allowing players to drop it at a specific location or place it inside a container they want to keep track of. Carrying one will also improve the location of your black box upon death, making it easier to recover lost loot. Additionally, there are UI improvements for better icon visibility at a distance, along with various tweaks to the game’s flora and fauna. And there’s a tantalizing hint of what appears to be a pedal-powered underwater vehicle.

While we may still be waiting for an update that expands the game’s storyline, with versions 1.1 and 1.2 addressing the most pressing concerns from the player community, perhaps Unknown Worlds will soon feel ready to delve deeper into narrative development.

Here are the full patch notes, and apologies to your mouse’s scroll wheel. (Entries marked with a snorkeling gear icon indicate player-suggested changes).