A solid, great, and enjoyable experience. 9.2/10
The progression in particular is very organic, streamlined, and exciting. Whenever we see a new resource we have yet to discover (but can see it as a need for a new recipe), it instantly becomes a high priority. The elation in finding that new resource out in the field is intoxicating, and it makes the trip back to base that night always fun.
However, sometimes that new resource is on a list of things that need done. Replenishing older resource stockpiles, exploring a new location that you've gone to recently, revisiting old locations with new technology, searching for rare resources with the resource scanner, there's always multiple layers of priority happening at once, and never enough time in a single day to do them. Sometimes certain objectives are better done at night or day, or they can only be done during one or the other until certain milestones or equipment requirements are met (not in that they are hard-blocked, just more efficient or easier to accomplish during those times/with that equipment). It really lends to an experience that is constantly fresh and evergreen, there's always something to do, and always something to collect or accomplish that will help further your other goals.
The entire system that facilitates these things (resource analyzer, BURG.L chips, rotten equipment) is very well designed and feels so natural and smooth in its progression, it makes the progress seem very intuitive and fluid. Whenever you're wondering where something you need is located, there's a few avenues to take; maybe explore an old location for a rotten counterpart, maybe use the scanner to find where it might be, or maybe just explore a new place to find what you're looking for.
A good amount of collectibles in the form of UI skins and rare-drop trinkets make things fresh as well, and I find myself switching out SCA.B skins periodically to freshen the look of things up. A wide variety too, I found multiple ones that I liked, and some that I definitely didn't which means I'm sure there's a lot for everyone to enjoy. The only thing I'd like to see in this department is a "Random Favorites" option where I can "star" ALL the skins I like, and then they rotate day to day, since I like so many of them.
A solid game, and a definite buy, even at only a 20% discount. Well worth the price. Definitely merit in playing this first over the second game (which I have yet to play, and which came out after I purchased this one). Plenty of meat here to dig into, no need to play the 2nd one only, the core systems here are awesome and enticing enough to generate their own merit.
Overall, this is a definite recommend, ESPECIALLY in co-op!
