Plot twist the main character of subnatica is alternate universe aquaman. All joking aside subnatica was both a game and a work of art, it was like swimming through an art gallery sometimes.
The only real flaw is that the progression system kinda fizzles out by the end of the game, and that it doesn't push for exploration that much, meaning you can beat the game without ever going into some areas. Otherwise, it's definitely the best survival/exploration game I've ever played.
In my experience the game actively promoted exploration through the progression system and simply by its beauty. Although there were one or two biomes that I never really went to.
Yeah but I've seen so many people completely miss the Sea Treaders, the Bulb Bush zone and a couple of other locations. All because you don't really need to go there, and you can get the blueprints from the wrecks in other places. You obviously will go there if you like exploring and want to scour for more wrecks, but unless you actively seek out to explore, you can ignore some places.
And for the progression system, it's more about having nothing to work towards by the endgame. For instance, kyanite, sulfur, uranium and other lategame materials, all have very limited use, and are mostly upgrade fodder for last few modifications of PRAWN and the Cyclops. You get like 15 pieces each, and you will never need them again. Unlike things like diamond, magnetite, and even silver, the scarcity of which in the early game meant you actively had to pick which upgrades and tools you want to get right away, and which can wait. In the lategame, all of that is severely underutilised imo.
I love Subnautica, not only for the great visuals but the sound design is really good, especially when you can hear a creepy click or scream of a weird water creature behind you.
And for the progression system, it's more about having nothing to work towards by the endgame. For instance, kyanite, sulfur, uranium and other lategame materials, all have very limited use, and are mostly upgrade fodder for last few modifications of PRAWN and the Cyclops. You get like 15 pieces each, and you will never need them again. Unlike things like diamond, magnetite, and even silver, the scarcity of which in the early game meant you actively had to pick which upgrades and tools you want to get right away, and which can wait. In the lategame, all of that is severely underutilised imo.