4 ms·

I've never been more conscious of my breath while computing than when I was playing Subnautica[0], which proffers a (notoriously tense) game loop significantly

by gavmor 2y ago

I've never been more conscious of my breath while computing than when I was playing Subnautica[0], which proffers a (notoriously tense) game loop significantly involving running out of air and coming up for breath. Additionally, I would take swigs of water when my character was getting thirsty. A surprisingly embodied video game. 0. https://unknownworlds.com/subnautica/ https://unknownworlds.com/subnautica/

easeout 2y ago
There's a moment early in Resident Evil 7 VR where you're up to your neck in water in a tight space. You completely fool yourself, you feel the mass of water on your chest, and you start breathing like you're in a pool.
TeMPOraL 2y ago
When I was playing Subnautica for the first time, several years ago, I got immersed to the point that 1) I really felt like being underwater - my mind was recalling feelings from various swimming pool experiences; and 2) it changed my relationship with water. I found myself having a desire to swim, a kind of pull I don't think I experienced before. Didn't get that when I picked up Subnautica: Below Zero a few weeks above. I'm guessing it's because I'm now used to the beautiful vistas and underwater gameplay, so the game wasn't such a full-sensory shock to me anymore.
- philote 2y ago
  I started playing for the first time a few days ago, and in VR. I've never really looked at any information about the game, so I pretty much went in blind. I'm having an absolute blast. Just this morning I got to watch my rescue ship get blown up, and enjoyed every second of it.
- chrisweekly 2y ago
  > "a few weeks above" Guessing you mean "a few weeks later", right?
  - None4U 2y ago
    could also be "ago" in certain languages
    - TeMPOraL 2y ago
      Yeah, it was that. Semantic submarine something.
  - CodeBeater 2y ago
    Either way, sounds classy, I like it!
Harmohit 2y ago
[Spoiler Alert] Subnautica is amazing! I remember the first time I discovered the huge turtle whales - it was such a surreal feeling. The world design of the game does such a good job of offering a guided exploration that feels completely natural. The contours of Subnautica's world guide you into specific areas and every area has something new to offer - it truly feels like exploring another planet. Moreover, the sense of fear that I felt when I saw a dangerous looking creature was quite stronger than what I have felt playing several 'horror' games. Unfortunately, I stopped playing when progressing became too dependent on farming and building - two things that I do not like. I would love to play an exploration only version of the game.
- dontlaugh 2y ago
  Below Zero is easier to play with less building, give it a try.
  - freilanzer 2y ago
    But the land parts are annoying.
- dgfitz 2y ago
  > The world design of the game does such a good job of offering a guided exploration that feels completely natural. I must have been too dense to figure this game out. I gave it like 4-5 hours and couldn’t establish a sense of “ok this is the next goal” sense.
  - Harmohit 2y ago
    In my opinion, the way Subnautica motivates is players to play is through a natural sense of exploration - it wants you to think, "This is such a cool planet, I want to explore it" and not "What is the most efficient way of making these numbers/progress bars on the screen go up." I totally understand what you mean though. I passed on Dark Souls on my first try due to the lack of a specific goal but it is my favourite game of all time now.
  - 2y ago
spike021 2y ago
That reminds me of playing games like Gran Turismo, where I start leaning left and right depending on how I'm steering in the game. Interesting that you get a similar effect but with your breathing in Subnautica.

by gavmor 2y ago

easeout 2y ago

There's a moment early in Resident Evil 7 VR where you're up to your neck in water in a tight space. You completely fool yourself, you feel the mass of water on your chest, and you start breathing like you're in a pool.

TeMPOraL 2y ago

When I was playing Subnautica for the first time, several years ago, I got immersed to the point that 1) I really felt like being underwater - my mind was recalling feelings from various swimming pool experiences; and 2) it changed my relationship with water. I found myself having a desire to swim, a kind of pull I don't think I experienced before. Didn't get that when I picked up Subnautica: Below Zero a few weeks above. I'm guessing it's because I'm now used to the beautiful vistas and underwater gameplay, so the game wasn't such a full-sensory shock to me anymore.

philote 2y ago
I started playing for the first time a few days ago, and in VR. I've never really looked at any information about the game, so I pretty much went in blind. I'm having an absolute blast. Just this morning I got to watch my rescue ship get blown up, and enjoyed every second of it.
chrisweekly 2y ago
> "a few weeks above" Guessing you mean "a few weeks later", right?
- None4U 2y ago
  could also be "ago" in certain languages
  - TeMPOraL 2y ago
    Yeah, it was that. Semantic submarine something.
- CodeBeater 2y ago
  Either way, sounds classy, I like it!

Harmohit 2y ago

[Spoiler Alert] Subnautica is amazing! I remember the first time I discovered the huge turtle whales - it was such a surreal feeling. The world design of the game does such a good job of offering a guided exploration that feels completely natural. The contours of Subnautica's world guide you into specific areas and every area has something new to offer - it truly feels like exploring another planet. Moreover, the sense of fear that I felt when I saw a dangerous looking creature was quite stronger than what I have felt playing several 'horror' games. Unfortunately, I stopped playing when progressing became too dependent on farming and building - two things that I do not like. I would love to play an exploration only version of the game.

dontlaugh 2y ago
Below Zero is easier to play with less building, give it a try.
- freilanzer 2y ago
  But the land parts are annoying.
dgfitz 2y ago
> The world design of the game does such a good job of offering a guided exploration that feels completely natural. I must have been too dense to figure this game out. I gave it like 4-5 hours and couldn’t establish a sense of “ok this is the next goal” sense.
- Harmohit 2y ago
  In my opinion, the way Subnautica motivates is players to play is through a natural sense of exploration - it wants you to think, "This is such a cool planet, I want to explore it" and not "What is the most efficient way of making these numbers/progress bars on the screen go up." I totally understand what you mean though. I passed on Dark Souls on my first try due to the lack of a specific goal but it is my favourite game of all time now.
- 2y ago

spike021 2y ago

That reminds me of playing games like Gran Turismo, where I start leaning left and right depending on how I'm steering in the game. Interesting that you get a similar effect but with your breathing in Subnautica.