Hey guys! So you've plunged into the icy depths of Planet 4546B in Subnautica: Below Zero and are wondering what happens when you finish the story? Well, you've come to the right place! Subnautica Below Zero all endings are pretty epic, and understanding them really ties up the whole alien mystery. This game, like its predecessor, doesn't just leave you hanging; it gives you closure, or at least a definitive point where the story concludes. We're going to dive deep, pun intended, into how to achieve each ending and what exactly goes down. So grab your thermal suit and let's get started!

The Story So Far: What Leads to the Endings?

Before we get to the Subnautica Below Zero all endings, it's crucial to understand the narrative threads that weave through the game. Your character, Robin Ayou, crashes onto the planet searching for her sister, Sam, who was part of the AL-AN project. This project was all about helping the Architects, an ancient alien race, ascend to a higher dimension. However, the Architects faced a major setback: a deadly virus known as the Kharaa. This virus is the reason the Architects disappeared and why the planet is now teeming with dangerous life and restricted zones. Robin's journey is intertwined with the fate of AL-AN, a powerful Architect who is seeking to complete his own ascension before the virus consumes him entirely. You'll be gathering resources, crafting gear, building bases, and exploring some seriously stunning, yet terrifying, biomes. All the while, you're piecing together clues from data logs, Architect artifacts, and interactions with other characters like the quirky engineer, Alan (who is actually AL-AN in a robot body), and the hardened xenobiologist, Marguerit Maida. Your primary goal shifts from simply surviving to actively helping AL-AN achieve his ascension, which, in turn, will hopefully allow you to leave the planet safely and uncover the full truth about Sam's disappearance.

The Key Objective: Helping AL-AN Ascend

The core of the Subnautica Below Zero all endings hinges on your ability to help AL-AN. This isn't a simple fetch quest, guys. You need to find and activate several Architect bases scattered across the planet. Each base requires specific actions or items to get it up and running again. For instance, you'll need to find a way to power them up, bypass security systems, and sometimes even defend them from hostile creatures. As you progress, AL-AN's own condition deteriorates, making the mission more urgent. He’s trying to reach the Architect's main research facility, the Mercury II, which is orbiting the planet, to initiate the final phase of his ascension. This involves gathering components for his own rocket and ensuring the facility is ready for him. You'll also be dealing with the legacy of the Architects and their struggle with the Kharaa infection. The story unfolds through your exploration and interactions, revealing the Architects’ advanced technology, their ethical dilemmas, and their ultimate fate. The choices you make, or rather the actions you take to progress the main quest, dictate which ending you ultimately receive. So, keep your eyes peeled for Architect symbols and keep that PDA charged, because every piece of information is vital!

The Kharaa Virus: A Constant Threat

It's impossible to talk about the Subnautica Below Zero all endings without mentioning the Kharaa virus. This nasty piece of work is the central antagonist, though it's more of an environmental hazard and plot device than a traditional villain. The Architects, in their quest for knowledge and technological advancement, inadvertently unleashed this incredibly virulent pathogen. It decimated their civilization and left Planet 4546B in a state of quarantine and ecological imbalance. The virus is still active in certain areas, and you'll encounter creatures that have been mutated or affected by it. Your own character, Robin, is thankfully immune, which is why she can explore areas that would otherwise be lethal. However, the virus serves as a constant reminder of the dangers lurking on this alien world and the grim fate that befell the Architects. It’s the reason for the Architects' desperate attempt to ascend – to escape the plague. Understanding the Kharaa is key to understanding the Architects' motivations and the urgency of AL-AN's mission. It’s also the reason why the planet is so heavily guarded and why the Alterra Corporation, a ruthless spacefaring company, is so desperate to get their hands on the Architects' technology. They see it as a potential bioweapon or a cure, and they aren't afraid to eliminate anyone who stands in their way. So, while you're trying to save AL-AN, you're also navigating a world shaped by this ancient plague.

Ending 1: The Escape and the Truth

Alright, let's get to the good stuff – the endings! The first ending you're likely to encounter in Subnautica: Below Zero is the one where Robin escapes Planet 4546B. This ending is triggered when you successfully help AL-AN complete his ascension. You'll have guided him through activating all the necessary Architect facilities, gathered the components for his rocket, and ensured his safe passage to the Mercury II. Once AL-AN makes it to the orbital facility, he can finally complete his ascension ritual. As the Architects intended, this ritual purifies him of the Kharaa virus and allows him to join the Architect collective consciousness in a higher dimension. Pretty neat, huh? After AL-AN's ascension is secured, he expresses his gratitude to Robin. He understands that her true goal was to find out what happened to her sister, Sam. AL-AN reveals that Sam, who was also working on the AL-AN project, successfully helped him and also ascended. He gives Robin the coordinates to a hidden Architect vault containing information about Sam's fate and her final messages. You then pilot your own rocket, the Rocket-8, away from Planet 4546B, carrying the knowledge of Sam's ultimate peace and your own survival. This ending is generally considered the