This Game Gave Me Thalassophobia (And I'm okay with that) 

Wait why is this getting so much attention, I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THIS OH GOD

The worst part about Reapers, is after you scan them, it’s revealed that they use echolocation, meaning that if you can hear them, THEY CAN SEE YOU

“There are only a few hostile leviathans in the game.” There are 37.

Another great thing about how the Leviathans don't relentlessly pursue you is that eventually you realise that these aren't evil monster adversaries in a video game, they're animals in their natural habitat and you're actually the intruder.

I feel like Subnautica's one of those games where you feel all excited for the ending, and when it happens you're like "I think I should've stayed there" when Alterra decides to charge you for using stuff to escape.

"Detecting multiple leviathan class lifeforms in the region. Are you certain whatever you're doing is worth it?" -PDA

I will always remember when my PDA said «this ecological biome matches 7 of the 9 preconditions for stimulating terror in humans». I stopped and just sat there for a few seconds in complete silence.

The Sunbeam was one of the most memorable moments for me. You think "it can't be that easy, right?" but you see the timer, you venture out, you discover what you didn't think existed in this game - dry land. You explore this piece of land, you see the alien structures, the mystery grow deeper, and then when the time is up and Sunbeam is about to come in, you hear the siren and that gigantic building starts moving and transforms into what looks like a big gun. You can't warn them, you can only see them get destroyed and at the same time realise what it was that shot you down. Absolutely excellent storytelling on all counts.

Kenophobia is the fear this game hits when you're just surrounded by water and nothing else and anything could be lurking. It's the fear of the void.

The devs are on record saying that Subnautica was not intended to be a horror/terror game, but that is the beauty it is despite their intentions.

“It used the last of its strength to play with its babies” god my heart was just ripped from its place in my chest :[

Fun fact: The sea dragon thats make all the noise is a baby calling for its mother.

For a game that visually looks like something for children, I’ve never been more terrified in my life

The best indicator that Subnautica nails atmospheric terror: the game is still scary on creative mode

I think the most tense part is when the computer says “detecting multiple leviathan class lifeforms, are you certain whatever you’re doing is worth it?” Is one of if not the scariest lines ever after hearing that line I stopped playing for a year

Reapers scared me so much that the meer knowledge that there MIGHT be a reaper somewhere was enough to make me terrified and sometimes decide that “fuck it not worth it”

After I killed my first reaper I said “I am god, fear me!” But when I ran into the ghost leviathan for the first time I said “yeah, scratch that… I AM F*CKING TERRIFIED” 😂😂😂

One time I accidentally fell off a shelf and into the void in my prawn suit. I hit 1700 m, and it kept going. 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000! No bottom, just water, and the crushing pressure of the suit dying. The sound of twisting metal and the knowledge that I was doomed in the dark bottomless abyss, that was the most horrified I ever been in a game. Not even in VR, that would give me a heart attack.

My favorite line of the PDA is "Treat this space as your home, but never forget that it is not." This will probably stay in my head forever. It hit me so hard because i was just about to play sims in subnautica, making a little house for myself when the PDA said that. Made me remember what game i am playing-

Something about the Reaper Leviathan terrifies me to my core, and no matter how many times I square up in my prawn suit I'm still scared shitless

I swear the first half is actually always terrifying, but once you hit the Lost River, it's just "Scuse me, coming through" Also I know to word the last part: It's like wandering into a fantasy land, full of mystery, danger, and wonder. Especially reaching the tree. It was like being in a fantasy land, come true.

Subnautica: "Hey! Do you have a fear of the ocean?" Me: "um, no." Subnautica: "Would you like to?"

Seth: "Yeah, this spot is fine." *Distant roars* Cyclops: "Engine powering up." Me too, man.

one funny thing about that distant screaming at 11:47, that creature uses echo-location, so when you hear it, IT SEES YOU

At one point in time I got so annoyed with the reapers that I spent 2 hours tracking down and successfully killing three out of pure spite

PDA: It is normal when first piloting a Prawn suit to feel a sense of limitless power. Prawn operators receive weeks of training to counteract this phenomenon. You will have to make do with self-discipline. Meanwhile this fucking guy: 22:26

Yeah, Subnautica is spooky. It didn’t give me Thalassophobia, though, it actually made me like the ocean more. It’s a great game.

The Sea Dragon definitely scared me some, but at that point I was comfortable enough in my Prawn Suit to keep away from him no problem. I enjoyed spider-manning around in the lava zone while mining and exploring. The real one that scared me the most was the Crap Spider thing. I didn't get the Stasis Rifle until really late in my play through, so exploring the Degasi Habs with no defense from the crabs and no way to escape them. Absolutely horrifying

Ok ive seen a lot of funny shit watching people play this game, but the battle with the Reaper where you accidentally remove the power cell from your seamoth, get back in to try to stun the reaper, and just sit there for a second realizing theres no power, then getting mauled to death... I AM DECEASED TOO 😂😂😂

Fun fact that makes the reaper scarier: in the PDA log it talks about how it sees through sound and if you hear its roars it can tell where you are.

"Detecting multiple leviathan class lifeforms in the region. Are you certain whatever you're doing is worth it?" *Terrified Screaming* .

One thing that really helps set the immersion is the sound design. Sound and music are usually overlooked in a lot of games, but it is so critical in setting the tone here. From the gentle, light hearted music of the safe shallows to the absolutely terrifying roars of the reaper and sea dragons. The balance between beautiful ocean and fear of the dark unknown is just perfect.

"Wait what? Am I alive?" *nom* "Okay." 22:16 "Hook to something and drill it?" "Oh god. You know what? Hold on-" *Reaper Wrangling intensifies*

“Seth argues with a giant fish” lmao

Every subnautica veteran when they see a noobie about play THEIR game: “This is where the fun begins”

My first leviathan encounter was with the reaper leviathan in the back of the aurora, I've been playing Subnautica for 2 years, AND TO THIS DAY, i try my best to never go behind the aurora, NEVER.

This is honestly a very interesting perspective. As someone who most of my hours playing subnautica are likely from when the game was still in early access, I gained a lot of the familiarity and whatnot you were talking about before a lot of the actual story was in the game. Thanks for this. And also yes I do believe I recall the gun platform actually looking like it did in that screenshot at one point. P.s. R.I.P. the terraformer, had so many cool bases built thanks to that tool, I understand why it was removed but I still wish it could have made it to full release.

Imagine spoiling that there's Cthulu in the dead zone when you can tell em that there's useful blueprints there and watch them find out the truth the hard way LUL

21:41 Even though that's a bug, a massive, hostile creature casually sliding out of a rock is the most horrifying thing yet.

That has to be one of the best feelings ever as a gaming content creator, not only finding a game that you really enjoy but one that people really enjoy watching you make content on too.

I've lost count of how many times I've come back to this video. Something about it is just so... Charming? Entertaining? I dunno. I just keep rewatching it without any less sense of enjoyment every time. It's become a confort video, even. Seriously good vid, you're funny as hell my guy. I can feel the passion in every line

You forgot to mention some pda messages like : Warning, detecting multiple leviathan class life forms in this region I think this add a lot of terror to the game

Fun fact: the Sea Emperor Leviathan is voiced by the same person who did Bubsy in Bubsy 3D and Rouge in Sonic Adventure 2

If you really want to ramp up the fear factor and immersion to 11, play the game on hardcore. My first true, full version playthrough (I had previously played early access builds on/off in short bursts) was hardcore and it was the most terrifying experience I've ever had. I found myself naturally slowing down, being cautious, becoming more tuned to my environment and the behaviours of the creatures inside it It was absolutely incredible, scary, but it filled me with a feeling literally no game ever since has come close to matching

The interesting thing about subnautica is that it wasnt initially meant to be a horror game, but after the play testers kept saying how terrifying subnautica was, the devs went all out on it, creating one of the most beautiful yet terrifying worlds in gaming

The clip where seth goes reaper wrangling gives me so much serotonin

It’s always good to see people discovering this masterpiece of a game

We need to make reaper rodeo an official e-sports

I'm so glad you included the rodeo reaper clip in this - it's my favorite moment of any Subnautica let's play I've ever seen 😂

The sea dragons were REALLY aggressive when I first played it, they even ended up destroying my cyclops and stranding me alone in the containment facility.

The only experience I had this level of Terror besides Subnautica was Deepnest in Hollow Knight. That chittering and scuttling *still* terrifies me.

amazing video it felt like a whole documentary except it was never boring and much more entertaining, well done!

I just went through so many emotions and thoughts. At first I thought I would get like some kind of explanation of a mental issue, but then fear of the reaper Leviathan jump scares. Curiosity of what the story is about and how you felt in it. The only 2 memories I have of when I played it last when I was a kid playing in my head. Happiness on how it turned out, but also sadness for everything that happened in the end. Thank you❤❤❤

Scariest moment in Subnautica I've had was when a reaper was attacking me when a warper joined in and took me out of my seamoth

Already having Thalassophobia makes subnautica a terrifying experience. The feeling of suddenly not being able to see the bottom of the ocean, or just being unable to dive at night because of how all of your senses become disoriented whilst having your imagination bombarding you with images of threats lurking in the surrounding. I'm constantly at edge even when I know where the leviathans spawn, it doesn't make it any less horrible.

I think no game has topped the reaper intro. I too went into it recently. Getting bored trying to find a way into the Ship only for the Cut scene of it grabbing me in my little submarine. I also love the fact that even when you think it is over you can pull back and survive. Best example would be going full black screen from lack of O2 only to surface just in time.

I was expecting just a review video talking on about the game on the surface, but you dived into deep of it! Amazing!

The Ghost leviathan makes noises, It's just that they are quiet all the way until they are like 5 meters away from you and THAT's when they let out their horrifying screech.

That feeling when you use the sonar for the second time and that one rock got way closer than it should

This is legit my favorite YT video. I can't stop watching it it's so good!

Great video that sums up how I feel about this game so well. It quickly became one of my favorite games. I wish there was more and I feel like just as you said I'll always have a piece of myself left behind in this game, I'll always be searching for another game like it, and I'm glad it ended before it became repetitive like other open world games often do.

Love details of Subnautica's design. Here's some of my favorites: -Reaper Leviathan AI actually does attempt to circle around and stalk you from behind. You can delay their attacks by watching them, as they don't really like to approach from a distance while you can see them. But you can't scare them back off once they're close. -Just because something outclasses you unimaginably, doesn't mean it's the worst there is. The prime example of this, aside from the Sea Dragon skeleton in the Lost River, is the bones of the reapers. Reaper leviathans are the earliest hostile leviathan, and aside from the rare juvenile ghost encounters, perhaps a run in with the business end of a Sea Treader (they're defensive, not hostile, but still), or the few who venture to the edge, reapers remain the primary threat in the majority of the map. But then you reach the caves, and there are bones littering the place, and some are familiar: Reapers. Dragged down, burned and battered by something bigger than them. And the game doesn't really give you much more than that, and it might go entirely missed, but it can be terrifying for new players and even old ones to be reminded that the sometimes-derpy dragon down there is above reapers on the food chain. Admittedly, that particular entry into the roster of hostile leviathans might've needed just a bit more time in development, though I hesitate to use the saying 'more time in the oven' given where it lives. They have notoriously common terrain clipping issues, and yes, the one in the Lava Lakes/ALZ is a bit _too_ aggressive. Or just too close. I've seen it in the main chamber of the PCF on many occasions, both in person and secondhand. -The game's leviathans get bigger as they go, but that's nothing compared to what could be. The original entity that the Bone Fields region's titular massive fossil belonged to no longer lives, sure, but the game tells you enough - that sort of creature was effectively undefeatable, and there's plenty of space beyond the crater edge. -The dropoff at the edge of the map is a brilliant design. Even without the ghost leviathans, just the complete darkness below, the lack of _any_ ambient music or sounds whatsoever, and the knowledge that the bottom is too deep for any vehicle to conceive reaching is more than enough. I may have seen the underside of the map. I may know the ways it's evolved over the years better than some of the devs might remember, and know where the teleport borders are. But that doesn't stop it from making me feel a bit sick trying to go out there. It's not just a natural void. It's an entirely unnatural, completely endless expanse of more and more pressure, and nothing but darkness. The walls of the betas have nothing on that, and I'm glad the game was moved away from that style. And I did mention, this game makes me feel physically weaker, feel sick. Never had another game do that to me, despite my attempts. Even drifting in the void of simulated space doesn't do it, because there you can _see_ - you might still die in space, be it to heat (or lack of it), to radiation, or to a micrometeorite travelling at a few times the speed of sound, but you can see for just about as far as you could comprehend. Hell, further, even, than is really comprehensible in distance. In Subnautica, the water is murky, there's clouds of stuff, be it gunk dropped from the leviathans' skin, or microorganisms, or just simple silt and dust and the like stirred from the land. And the light doesn't travel well, from the stars above nor the artificial ones you might try to produce, and it only gets worse further down. Yes. It's true that Subnautica is easy. It's also rather badly optimized (it was never intended to be a full game, just a mere proof of concept, so they did what they could), it's quite glitchy in plenty of ways, the graphics are lacking in animation, textures, and polygons (but that's okay) and some parts remain a little unfinished, or had room to grow but didn't. Still, one of the best games and one of the best experiences out there. As for the death thing... well, it isn't really intended for things to kill you. You're meant to survive, but just barely. The generous window of time for suffocation, the way creatures peel off after attacking, the sparse instakill attacks with an AI not intending to always put you into an instakill situation. That's part of the game's terror aspects: You scrape by. You might not do it perfectly, and you might brush with death, but you don't die, because death drops the tension and ruins the immersion.

"You don't have true thlassaphobia until you hear the reapers scream"

Man I still come back here after 2 years, you really did a great job with this video

23:28 Is just… *perfection*

by far the reaper gives me the biggest chills, to this day i have nightmares about that one animation someone made about being in the middle of the ocean and the reaper slowly coming into frame. below zero doesnt scare me near as bad compared to subnautica and i have severe thalassophobia lmao

You are absolutely right about the feeling you get playing for the first time. The sense of wonder and awe counterbalancing the tension, apprehension and very real fear is something so unique. I've never felt that sensation in any other game. Thank you helping me appreciate it even more than I already did, and that was hard to do because I truly love this game. Keep up the good work.

I've been diving back into this game (heh), trying to actually finish the storyline this time around. I was always too chicken to get too far, but now it's time. I've been rewatching old playthroughs and finding new ones, and this got recommended to me! This video kept me company during my worst nightmare coming true: I got lost behind the Aurora in Reaper territory, and THEN NIGHT FELL. I had to battle my way back out, but I came out victorious with the desired blueprints scanned! Thanks for the funny video to help me come down off my adrenaline, LOL.

"The reaper is terrifying" Gargantuan leviathan : pathetic

The moment of Mark suffering the endless power off/on loop was relatable on an emotional level. I drastically overestimate the power of one solar panel and constantly overshoot while setting up a base.

I think this is my new favorite video essay. Props to you and your damn good writing and presentation abilities. Thank you for blessing my eyes and ears with your silly, but wonderful, capabilities.

The video clips you show make my throat close it’s terrifying this game is definitely going on my list Thanks for the recommendation

This is one of the only games I have ever played that made me feel claustrophobic. You get into a cave and get turned around and you O2 is running out. You start to panic.

13:36 encounters like this honestly have more of an impact than them attacking you out right on your first encounter. It lets the terror sink in and linger in your mind, letting the fear and anxiety build with every second that passes, so that now you know when you look into the abyss, it might be looking back. Like you said, "it was brief, but it was enough."

2 years after this was uploaded and showed up on my recommended, the way you explain the difference between Horror and Terror, gave me chills and made me look around my room, just had to point that out.

this is one of the best youtube video's i''ve ever watched. i have gotten into subnautica after i watched the beginning of this video (before i watched it as a hole) and wow AMAZING. many love to you❤

20:16 was a very fast decent into madness, listen to the gleeful laughing as he drills off the face of one of the most feared predators in subnautica.

I was so emotional over the death of the sea emperor (empress?) that I stuck around with her for,, 20 minutes? I just didn't want to leave her and let her die alone. I still think a retroactive update to add an optional animation with her would do a lot to give a sense of closure and, frankly, help ween off the pain watching her collapse gave me at least. Just, to be able to swim up and put a hand on her massive head, even for just a moment, to have her recognize our sympathy for her.

Thank you Seth! I really enjoyed this video. I love your detailed speeches about the deeper meanings of this game - especially the part where you talk about the Sea Emperor. Keep up the good work!

I've watched this video so many times. It's one of my favourite videos on RU-vid!

21:42 That’s the best reaction he could’ve possibly had

I remember an older version of the game where the SEL didn't talk to you. When I first played and came across her, I could perfectly understand what she wanted just through her body language. I found it a lot more impactful that way, like an unspoken bond/understanding between you and the last sentient being on this planet. When she silently played with her babies and then collapsed, I didn't need dialogue to tell me what was going on or how to feel about it.

There realy is no putting the experience into words but that was beautiful how you worded it, to be honest i would be willing to start my life from scratch to experience it again for the first time, the second and third playthroughs just cant revive that once in a lifetime kind of bliss that you sadly can never feel again

Dude I found this guy on my fyp and I’m so glad I did he is funny asf and makes even a 40 min video entertaining props to you dude

I feel like Subnautica is one of the few games that can elicit true, genuine reactions of sheer terror, not those played up for an over-the-top RU-vid video, but genuine fear. The clip at 13:40 is a perfect example. I have no issue believing that reaction was genuine.

He's back. With a new avatar too. *This is gonna be good.*

loved your video and your closing words about leaving something behind of yourself on this planet.

I think an important clarification to make is that while Subnautica is a very hard game to DIE in, it is very easy to get CLOSE to death; the reapers deal just enough damage to almost destroy your Seamoth, if you run out of air, you still have a few seconds to get air, etc.

When I finally played Subnautica I was scared I knew about all the dangers before hand but the fear and anxiety of being in an area with a reaper or traveling to far into the dunes fills you with dread But when I played I made myself a challenge. I challenged myself to Scan Everything on the planet (Flora, Fauna etc...) I did it and it was Fun

I don't know if you can hear them from as far away as the Reaper and the Dragon, but the Ghost Leviathans ABSOLUTELY make a noise before you can see them - and in my humble opinion it's the most terrifying noise in the game, at least taking the noise in isolation. Many of the predator noises make you go "what is that??" and can be difficult to tell apart from eachother - on my first playthrough it took me a while to learn to tell the difference between the sound of a Reaper and a Reefback, and yes that is just as unnerving as it sounds - but IMO you cannot POSSIBLY mistake the sound of a Ghost Leviathan for any other creature. It is a DEMONIC SCREECH from the depths of hell, and again is the noise in the game that freaks me out the most.

This was a really good video. I've never seen your channel before, but I'll definitely be checking out your first playthrough series.

this is the first video I watch from you and I really enjoyed it! I love how you narrate everything and the editing! I'm gonna keep watchings your vids to see what more you've done

Subnautica is just “Hey there, are you scared of the ocean?” Player base: no, why? “Would you like to?” Also, the sea emperor part _always_ grabs my feel and curb stomps them

18:40 "Okay, look, I need you to leave me alone please." Sea Dragon: Aight, Imma head out.

this video never fails to make me smile, been having a rough time in life and tbh your channel is always nice and relaxing to watch

You captured the complete Subnautica experience so well and so beautifully. Your love for the game shines through your video.

Also, no love for the Warpers? I personally think they were one of the best aspects of the game, primarily due to atmosphere and terror.

One of my favorite memories was on a subsequent playthrough when I inadvertently built a base under a reaper leviathan.. It was too late to divest, so I had to park my seamoth crammed under my base while I scrambled to get blueprints and materials for a moon pool. I ended up paying a small amount of resources and large amount of power on an extra scanner room to constantly track it. I ended up learning to live with it, just staying inside when it got close. I ended up building an observatory so I could sit and watch it.

This game reminds me of Soma. I think you would love that game, its really incredible and I think achieves that same sense of being alone and telling a massive interesting compelling story. I would LOVE to see you play it. I just found your channel and want to see more!

Wow another youtuber I came across today that I genuinely like, underrated youtuber!! Keep it up man I believe you'll get there! I love Subnautica actually was playing the first one while watching this vid (beat it 100 times over) and it mad my day. Please don't stop posting vids similar this!! :)