This was developed initially as Subnautica DLC. That's clear through and through, and ultimately? That's really fine. As it was with the original, the core experience, exploration, tension, fear, mystery, curiosity, it's all still there in spades, and is just as satisfying as it was before, with several QoL changes that make a big difference. If you enjoyed Subnautica, you'll probably really enjoy this!
That said, having specifically waited through the entire EA period for the full release, I'm a bit disappointed. Everything is just a bit less. Smaller world, smaller story, fewer biomes, fewer terrors. I saw the depth I finished the game at, and based on the original, I thought I had maybe another third to work through. Instead, I was five minutes from the ending. The story is more direct, and it's certainly serviceable, but there are more threads left dangling, and ultimately is far less satisfying as a demonstration of mastery of the world than the spanning quest of the original. I committed the grievous sin of looking at the cut content listed on the wiki, and DARN IF THAT DOESN'T SOUND EXACTLY LIKE WHAT I FELT WAS MISSING HERE.
But I spent 20 happy hours swimming through the oceans of Planet 4546B, and I don't know if I'd ever fully get tired of that. (But I definitely got tired of the land based sections, very quickly.)
That said, having specifically waited through the entire EA period for the full release, I'm a bit disappointed. Everything is just a bit less. Smaller world, smaller story, fewer biomes, fewer terrors. I saw the depth I finished the game at, and based on the original, I thought I had maybe another third to work through. Instead, I was five minutes from the ending. The story is more direct, and it's certainly serviceable, but there are more threads left dangling, and ultimately is far less satisfying as a demonstration of mastery of the world than the spanning quest of the original. I committed the grievous sin of looking at the cut content listed on the wiki, and DARN IF THAT DOESN'T SOUND EXACTLY LIKE WHAT I FELT WAS MISSING HERE.
But I spent 20 happy hours swimming through the oceans of Planet 4546B, and I don't know if I'd ever fully get tired of that. (But I definitely got tired of the land based sections, very quickly.)