The Updates have not disappointed, the animations are cute, the new water mechanics great. I would say there is a decreasing difficulty the longer you play for once you can survive your dry period you are golden. Doesn't mean it stops there, the whole techtree is engaging to follow and I only stop once the whole map is green. Didn't encounter any bugs.
Up to the point where you fly off in the blue shuttle - End of Chapter 3 - the game is great. The need to craft is artifically increased by a horrible duration of needed tools and a small inventory. Food & Drink was never a problem though. The progression of finding better equipment is okay, i would have loved more sturdy tools (drill and scanner mostly). Tip: don't invest in base building other than the story demanded bare minimum, past chapter 3 you won't return to your base. After chapter 3 the story becomes extremely linear, having to go through long coridors for no reason whatsoever other than drag out the time spent in them, then having to schlepp back to your only crafting station to create an item you need - you guess it - on the other end of the corridor again. rinse. repeat. Can I recommend the game? First part: yes. Second parT: install a no-requirement-crafting mod and just go for the story.
