The original was so good, but the expansion/sequel really showed that they didn’t understand what was good about the first.

I don’t know exactly how I’d go about making a sequel, it was such a fun and singular experience. Maybe just do it again on a new planet with a bigger area to explore? Maybe a whole new setting with new mechanics?

Well they tried to sort of do both, but with a smaller area and less environmental storytelling, in favor of more just overt storytelling. And the new mechanics (snowmobiling with worms) were pretty limited and not as interesting as the old vehicles.

And now this, yikes. Multiplayer could be a fun addition, but not if it requires a live-service model. And again, it really seems like they don’t understand what was good about the first one.