: Manually delete everything in the \steamapps\common\Subnautica folder after uninstalling through Steam.
If the download still fails, the v71288 manifest is corrupt on the server side. Your only fix is to source the Subnautica_Data folder and the main .exe from a trusted backup of this specific build. Do not mix v71288 files with newer versions (e.g., 71349 or 68598); this will cause shader errors. subnautica v71288 download fix
In the final game, the story revolves around the Kharaa bacterium and the Sea Emperor Leviathan. However, in builds like 71288, the storyline was still heavily in flux. The "Deep Story" you might be referring to is the cut content regarding the precursors and the nature of the crash. 71349 or 68598)