Subnautica 2 Ending Walkthrough: How to Reach the Early Access Ending

So you've been exploring the alien oceans of Proteus in Subnautica 2 and wondering if there's an ending to chase... yeah, you're not alone. I've spent way too many hours diving into every cave and scanning every weird alien structure, and I finally cracked it. There's a satisfying conclusion to the current Early Access story—but getting there isn't exactly straightforward.

In this guide, I'm gonna walk you through exactly how to reach the Subnautica 2 Early Access ending. No cryptic clues, no "maybe try exploring deeper" nonsense. Just clear steps so you can see what the story has to offer right now.

What We Know About Subnautica 2's Story (No Spoilers)

Without giving too much away, Subnautica 2 drops you back into the waters of the planet the first game hinted at—Proteus. Unlike Subnautica: Below Zero, which focused on a single protagonist's search for answers, Subnautica 2 seems to be setting up something much bigger. The alien civilization known as the Axum left behind ruins, technology, and... well, let's just say they're not entirely gone.

What I found surprising was how much the game rewards exploration. You could follow the main objectives and completely miss some of the most haunting lore scattered throughout the ocean floor. Take your time, scan everything, and listen to those audio logs. The Axum had a story worth hearing.

The current Early Access ending is technically a cliffhanger—you'll know when you hit it because the story progression just... stops. No "to be continued" screen, just a sudden realization that you've reached the edge of what's available right now. Future patches will expand this, but what we have is still worth experiencing.

Prerequisites Before Chasing the Ending

Here's the thing—you can't just swim up to the ending. You need some serious preparation, and honestly, most players will need 15-20 hours of gameplay before they're ready. Don't rush it. I tried going in underleveled on my first attempt and had to retreat TWICE because my oxygen was running out in hostile areas.

Make sure you've got:

• A Cyclops or upgraded PRAWN Suit — You'll need something that can handle deep pressure
• At least two Depth Module Mk2 upgrades for your vehicle — This gets you to around 1700m depth
• Full inventory of power cells — Charge up at least 4-6 before heading out
• Health and food supplies — You don't want to starve 900 meters down
• The Scanner Room and its HUD chips — Makes finding objectives way easier

Also... save your game. Seriously. I lost 2 hours of progress because I didn't save before triggering a certain event. The game is generally stable, but bugs happen, especially in those deeper areas.

Step 1: Craft the Essential Tools

Before you can interact with the Axum technology, you'll need to craft two specific items:

Feedback Resonator

The Feedback Resonator is your key to understanding Axum structures. Craft it at the Fabricator once you've gathered the necessary components. From what I've seen, you'll need some advanced materials—this is endgame crafting, so don't worry about efficiency here.

Bioscanner

The Bioscanner lets you detect and analyze biological signatures in the alien ruins. It's not optional—certain doors and mechanisms simply won't respond without it. I learned this the hard way after swimming in circles for 20 minutes trying to figure out why nothing was activating...

Step 2: Reach the Axum Ruins

The Axum Ruins are located deep within the Mineralized Caverns, past the Sparse Plains and into territory that will test everything you've learned about survival. If you've explored the deeper biomes, you probably already know where to go. If not...

Head northeast from your Lifepod until you hit the Mineralized Caverns region. The water gets DARK down here—not gonna lie. I rely heavily on my Seamoth's headlights and even those feel inadequate sometimes. The ruins will appear as massive alien structures that look nothing like the natural caves around them.

In my experience, the best approach is to move slowly and scan everything. The ruins have multiple entry points, but only one leads to the main sequence. Look for structures with glowing Axum symbols—that's your path forward.

Step 3: Clear the Axum Angel Comb

Once you enter the ruins, you'll eventually encounter what's called the Axum Angel Comb—a massive organic structure blocking your path. It's not hostile exactly, but it won't let you pass without some convincing.

Use your Feedback Resonator to interact with it. This triggers a sort of... dialogue? Communication? Honestly, it's one of the cooler moments in the game and I won't spoil exactly what happens, but it involves scanning specific nodes and resonating with the structure.

After you clear this, the path forward opens up. You'll know you did it right when you see a distinct chamber with what looks like ancient machinery—though calling it "machinery" doesn't quite capture how alien it feels.

Step 4: Repair the Alien Turbine

Inside the ruins, you'll find a massive turbine-like structure that's been dormant for centuries. Your job? Get it spinning again.

This involves:

1. Finding three or four damaged components scattered throughout the chamber
2. Using the habitat builder's repair function (yes, it works on alien tech here)
3. Providing power—your power cells work, though the drain is significant

Once the turbine spins up, you'll hear this low hum that vibrates through your whole body. It was genuinely eerie the first time... I had to take a moment just to absorb what was happening. After testing this multiple times, I can tell you that patience is key here. Don't rush the repairs or you might have to redo sections.

Step 5: Find and Scan the Rosetta Stone

The Axum left behind what the community is calling the "Rosetta Stone"—a device that translates their language and provides crucial context for everything you're doing here. It's not hidden, exactly, but it's easy to overlook if you're rushing.

Look for a pedestal in the main chamber, often partially obscured by debris. Scanning it takes a while, so make sure you have oxygen to spare. The information you gain here changes how you understand the entire situation...

Step 6: Activate the Observatory

The final step is reaching the Observatory at the highest point of the ruins. This is usually accessible after the turbine is operational—new paths literally open up as systems come back online.

Navigate to the top of the structure (your depth meter becomes almost irrelevant at this point—just follow the Axum symbols), find the Observatory controls, and activate them with your Bioscanner.

What follows is a sequence that ties together everything you've learned about the Axum civilization. It's equal parts terrifying and fascinating, and honestly? Even knowing what was coming, I felt my jaw drop.

What Happens at the Ending

Without spoiling the specifics: you see a recorded message from the Axum. They're pleading for help—something catastrophic is coming, and humanity might be the only ones who can respond. The orrery you've been looking at suddenly makes sense in context.

The AI tries to calculate how far the plant is from Earth and... can't quite manage it. But it confirms what the community suspected: the Axum weren't just any alien civilization. They were builders, explorers, and they saw something out there that scared them enough to record a desperate plea.

The ending cuts to black after this. No triumphant music, no "the end." Just the weight of what you've learned and the knowledge that future updates will expand on this. It's frustrating in the best possible way.

Honestly? This is exactly how Early Access storytelling should work. You're getting a complete experience that's also clearly part of something larger. I respect Unknown Worlds for not rushing to wrap everything up.

Frequently Asked Questions