Subnautica: Below Zero vs The Long Dark
Which one is worth buying now, with today's prices and each game's recommendation.
The Long Dark wins 9 of 12 head-to-head metrics. The Long Dark is $5.96 cheaper.
Metric by metric
The winner of each row gets a ✓. No row weighs more than another; the recommendation is calculated separately.
| Metric | Subnautica: Below Zero | The Long Dark |
|---|---|---|
| GameValio scoreRecommendation: Maybe × Maybe | 61 | 65 |
| Quality | 73 | 73 |
| Value | 53 | 66 |
| Popularity | 40 | 42 |
| Current Best Price (USD) | $13.39 | $7.43 |
| Steam Review Score | 90.1% positive | 89% positive |
| Average Concurrent Players (14 days) | 496 | 3.1K |
Where to buy
The 3 cheapest stores for each game
Side by side over time
Subnautica: Below ZeroThe Long Dark
Details and requirements
| Item | Subnautica: Below Zero | The Long Dark |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | May 13, 2021 | August 1, 2017 |
| Developers | Unknown Worlds Entertainment | Hinterland Studio Inc. |
| Publishers | Unknown Worlds Entertainment | Hinterland Studio Inc. |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOs | Linux, Windows, MacOs |
| OS (minimum) | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 |
| Processor (minimum) | Intel Core i5 4XXX series/ AMD Ryzen 5 @ 3Ghz + | Intel i7 CPU @ 2.6GHz or higher |
| Memory (minimum) | 8 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics (minimum) | Nvidia 1050 Ti / AMD Radeon 570, 4GB VRAM | nVidia GTX 555 w/ 1GB VRAM or better |
| DirectX (minimum) | Version 11 | — |
| Storage (minimum) | 15 GB available space | 7 GB available space |
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Subnautica: Below Zero or The Long Dark?
The Long Dark won the comparison against Subnautica: Below Zero based on the head-to-head metric breakdown. Check the metrics table above for a full side-by-side analysis.
How is the comparison calculated?
The comparison winner is determined objectively by counting which game wins more individual metrics in the head-to-head table. No weighting is applied. The GameValio Recommendation shown separately is our own suggestion for each game, based on a weighted score that combines quality (reviews), popularity (player counts), and affordability (price vs value) into a score out of 100. These are two different things: the comparison is objective, the recommendation is GameValio's opinion.
Is Subnautica: Below Zero worth buying over The Long Dark?
Based on the metrics, The Long Dark won the direct comparison. However, also check the GameValio Recommendation for each game and the price comparison table to make the most informed purchase decision.
Which game has better player reviews?
Review score trends and volume over time are shown in the charts section above. The game with consistently higher positive ratios has stronger community reception.
Which game offers better value for money?
The affordability score and price comparison table above highlight the best deals. The Long Dark currently scores better on value relative to its quality and price.
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Analysis updated: Oct 24, 2026, 01:01 PM UTC