---
key: mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-07
type: mechanic
id: metroidvania--family-group-07
lang: en
title: Water and hazardous environment
summary: >-
  Water and hazardous environments change movement, protection requirements and
  safe exposure time.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-07/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-07.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-07.md
aliases: []
tags:
  - Metroidvanias
  - Capabilities
sourceIds:
  - source-4e22a7f341a5d0ce
sources:
  - id: source-4e22a7f341a5d0ce
    title: Subnautica
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/264710/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: metroidvania
    id: family-group-07
    title: Metroidvanias
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/metroidvania/#family-group-07'
    categoryIds:
      - section-3
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Water and hazardous environment
    description: >-
      Water and hazardous environments change movement, protection requirements
      and safe exposure time.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/subnautica-scanner.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 810
      game: Subnautica
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/264710/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/264710/ss_e182b6b20bb797500f9f63c561586d920d44e37c.1920x1080.jpg?t=1777456112
      credit: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
      rights: © Unknown Worlds Entertainment. All rights reserved.
      caption: Underwater exploration in Subnautica
      alt: Underwater exploration in Subnautica
      markers:
        - x: 48
          'y': 48
          label: Landmarks at different depths
        - x: 11
          'y': 79
          label: First-person view underwater
    tips:
      - Show the reserve needed for the return trip alongside current resources.
    examples:
      - title: Subnautica
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/264710/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on
  2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are
  preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire
  classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and
  editorial review.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/metroidvania
---
# Water and hazardous environment

id: metroidvania--family-group-07
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-07
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-07/

Water and hazardous environments change movement, protection requirements and safe exposure time.

## At a glance

![Underwater exploration in Subnautica](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/subnautica-scanner.webp)

[Subnautica](https://store.steampowered.com/app/264710/) · © Unknown Worlds Entertainment. All rights reserved.

1. Landmarks at different depths
2. First-person view underwater

- Show the reserve needed for the return trip alongside current resources.

- [Subnautica](https://store.steampowered.com/app/264710/)

## How it works

Water and other media change movement, protection requirements, and residence time limits.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-group-07-variants"></a>

- Swimming and diving. Rule: The character moves in liquid according to special movement rules. <a id="variant-mv-070"></a>
- Air supply. Rule: The length of stay under water limits the route and the search for safe points. <a id="variant-mv-071"></a>
- Underwater breathing. Rule: Upgrade removes air restriction and expands depth exploration. <a id="variant-mv-072"></a>
- Underwater dash. Rule: Acceleration helps overcome currents, distances and special obstacles. <a id="variant-mv-073"></a>
- Buoyancy control. Rule: The hero dives, surfaces, or maintains depth using a special ability. <a id="variant-mv-074"></a>
- Protection from heat and cold. Rule: Equipment or ability allows you to pass through temperature-hazardous areas. <a id="variant-mv-075"></a>
- Protection from poison, acid and infection. Rule: Sustainability removes or reduces harm to a certain environment. <a id="variant-mv-076"></a>
- Traveling on dangerous surfaces. Rule: The ability allows you to step on spikes, liquid or other special material. <a id="variant-mv-077"></a>
- Overcoming sand and soil. Rule: Digging or swimming through the material opens up additional routes. <a id="variant-mv-078"></a>
- Light as a condition for survival. Rule: Lighting protects against environments or creatures that are dangerous in the dark. <a id="variant-mv-079"></a>

## Context and limits

The author's working taxonomy of mechanics, access rules, structural patterns and support systems. This is not an industry standard or a statement that every item is required or present in every game. Hybrids and support are highlighted separately. Any finite list is limited by the level of detail; combinations and new options remain open.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.

- [Subnautica](https://store.steampowered.com/app/264710/) (id: source-4e22a7f341a5d0ce)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors