GET YOUR BEARINGS
About Barotrauma
Barotrauma drops players into a 2D submarine on Jupiter’s moon Europa, where humanity survives beneath an irradiated ice crust. The game blends ragdoll physics, alien sea monsters, and a harsh underwater setting, demanding teamwork and occasional betrayal. Players can cooperate to complete missions, explore alien ruins, and manage complex ship systems, or they can sabotage each other, letting the vessel sink in fire and flood. The experience is shaped by procedurally generated worlds and a deep talent system.
01 / THE GUIDE
Gameplay Modes
Barotrauma supports up to 16 players on a single submarine, with bots filling gaps in both single‑player and multiplayer sessions. Missions are procedurally generated, offering endless replayability across multiple game modes. Players may choose cooperative objectives or engage in PvP, where traitors can turn the tide. The variety of modes ensures each dive feels distinct, whether you’re completing a rescue or watching the ship implode.
- Coordinate roles early to maximize efficiency.
- Use bots to maintain crew numbers when friends are unavailable.
02 / THE GUIDE
Crew Roles
Six distinct classes—Captain, Engineer, Mechanic, Medic, Security Officer, and Assistant—provide specialized tasks and skill trees. Each class features three talent trees, allowing players to tailor abilities to their preferred playstyle. Roles interact through shared systems like sonar, reactors, and weapons, making communication essential. The class diversity encourages strategic division of labor, whether repairing hull breaches or defending against monsters.
- Assign a dedicated Engineer to monitor power and pumps.
- Let the Medic focus on treating injuries during monster attacks.

03 / THE GUIDE
Crafting System
Barotrauma includes a comprehensive crafting system where players gather materials to produce equipment, weapons, medicines, and more. Crafting supports survival by providing tools to repair damage and combat threats. The system integrates with the ship’s wiring and medical mechanics, letting crews fabricate items on‑the‑fly during missions. This depth adds strategic resource management to each dive.
- Prioritize gathering raw materials early in a mission.
- Craft spare parts to quickly fix critical system failures.
04 / THE GUIDE
Modding & Editors
Barotrauma ships, characters, and animations can be edited with built‑in editors, allowing players to create custom submarines and monsters. All game data is exposed in XML, and the source code is publicly available on GitHub for deeper modifications. Mods are shared via Steam Workshop, fostering a community of creators who expand gameplay beyond the base experience. This openness encourages endless variety and personalization.
- Explore the Steam Workshop for community‑made submarines.
- Use the XML files to fine‑tune balance for custom scenarios.
05 / THE GUIDE
Faction & Reputation
Four factions inhabit Europa, each offering distinct alliances and consequences. Players can choose whom to support, influencing reputation and unlocking benefits or penalties. Reputation mechanics affect mission outcomes and interactions with NPCs, adding a layer of strategic decision‑making beyond immediate survival concerns.
- Maintain good standing with a faction to receive better supplies.
- Consider the long‑term impact before betraying an ally.





COMMUNITY
Player discussion