The demand for weapons in Subnautica 2 reveals the difficulty of separating open worlds from conquest

May 27, 2026 · 6:00 PM UTC ·8 min read · 0 reactions · 0 comments · 48 views

TL;DR · WeSearch summary

Subnautica 2 presents a duality in its open world, balancing between a living ecosystem and a player-centric experience. Designer Nikhil Murthy critiques the genre's tendency to create hollow worlds that exist solely for player amusement, drawing parallels to colonial narratives. The game aims to subvert these conventions by minimizing combat and portraying the player as a laborer rather than a conqueror.

Key facts

▪Subnautica 2 features a world filled with indigenous beings that continue their lives independently of the player.
▪Designer Nikhil Murthy discusses the colonial undertones in open world games and their impact on narrative.
▪The game offers minimal weapons and encourages players to engage with the environment rather than dominate it.

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Original publisher	Rock Paper Shotgun
Canonical URL	https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-demand-for-weapons-in-subnautica-2-reveals-the-difficulty-of-separating-open-worlds-from-conquest
Publication time	Wed, 27 May 2026 18:00:00 +0000
Retrieval time	2026-05-27T18:08:02.537Z
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Home Features Subnautica 2 The demand for weapons in Subnautica 2 reveals the difficulty of separating open worlds from conquest Thoughts and a conversation with designer Nikhil Murthy about blank tablets and amusement parks Image credit: Krafton / Rock Paper Shotgun <img alt="Edwin Evans-Thirlwell avatar" src="https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/edwin-portrait.jpg?width=2048&height=2048&fit=bounds&quality=85&format=jpg&auto=webp" style="aspect-ratio: 1" width="767" height="720" > Feature by Edwin Evans-Thirlwell News Editor Published on May 27, 2026 Follow Subnautica 2 Moderate spoilers for Subnautica 2's incomplete early access storyline follow. When I play Subnautica 2, I often feel as though I am swimming in two worlds simultaneously.

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