When Below Zero came out it was clear that they had no idea what made Subnautica special, something that a sequel had no hope of replicating. Fear of the unknown and the drive to explore deeper. Once you’ve completed Subnautica you are a god of the sea, and that knowledge and experience cannot be lost.
Mobius Digital was able to make a successful DLC for Outer Wilds because they understood what made their game work, which is the player’s own curiosity.
I’ve recently started using the archipelago randomizer mod to get another taste of replaying it, but unfortunately the satisfaction of completing a rando pales in comparison to that first experience.
I will never not recommend this game. It’s so good and I can’t wait to see what Mobius comes up with next.
But it could be so much more. People were so hyped for Horizons when we learned we’d finally be getting space legs but it just fell so flat on release.