Up for an arctic alien adventure? In Subnautica: Below Zero – a sequel that can be played as a standalone game – you’ll explore the vast expanse of ocean beneath a planet’s ice cap. Build a base, pet or fight off creatures (depending on their type) and rummage through abandoned research stations to figure out what happened to your sister.

What we love: The focus on the story. The first game was primarily exploration-driven, while Below Zero goes deeper into characters and plot. There’s voice acting, too, as well as other characters – one of whom literally inserts themselves inside your head. It’s a different kind of experience.

Quick tip: Always have beacons on you, to place down and mark your route as you go. The map might seem manageable in size, but it’s really easy to get lost in all the caves.

Meet the creator: Unknown Worlds is a globally distributed studio headquartered in California that grew out of the Half-Life modding scene (a community of players and creators dedicated to modifying the game) back in 2001.