I've been revisiting anno 2205, infamously the ugly duckling of the Anno series of RTS games. I don't mind so much the fact that it's different, lacks customisation and random map generation - I'm bothered because the game is so slow to progress through on challenge settings, and it feels like a game designed just to artificially waste your time; in other anno games, you can always pull tricks to dig yourself out of economic crisis - selling off assets and surplus goods, completing quests for other parties, or taking loans. 2205 is very very confined in terms of what you can do to financially recover in the early game and forces you into a lot of military events.
Subnautica: Below Zero.
Subnautica is one of my favorite games I've ever played. My understanding is there was enough of a shakeup of crew behind the scenes during BZ's development that it effected the final product, and it's evident that they didn't know what about the first game was so good.
Every single area in the game is a twisty turny confusingly self-similar maze of corridors. The twisty bridges, the sea monkey dens, the icebergs, the glacier, the lilypad caves, the crystal caverns, the wreck, the game is a bunch of mazes. The story doesn't make sense, the characters kinda suck...I've played it through 3 or 4 times, and that's probably it. I've played through Subnautica dozens.
I still think its wild to have 3 or 4 play-thorughs of a game that you dont enjoy. I have a hard enough time finishing games I do like.
It's a short game.
And it's easier once you know some of the "secrets", like where to find certain modules, where the various paths are to the lower levels, etc.
But, why would you replay it? I actually like both the original and sub-zero, but I didn't replay them.
I started doing challenge runs of Subnautica. I enjoyed playing it, so I tried some different play styles. Then started making a pretense at speedrunning it. My PB is 3:56.
I had gotten Subnautica free with PlayStation network, so was quite happy to pay for Below Zero when it came out.
Played it until I was forced back on land, and gave up.
Recently I went back to give it another try, and played it permadeath.
There were a handful of moments that reminded me of why I love the original, but not many.
Like you said, way too many tight winding maze areas that all felt very the same. It traded wide open depths for claustrophobia.
I really am looking forward to 2, I don't have a PC so will have to wait. Trying real hard to avoid spoilers.
I have played 2 in EA. So far they've gotten the artwork right, it looks like a Subnautica game should. It's mechanically similar, swimming feels right although a bit slower. The story...let's just say it makes it look like Riley had it easy.
I'm not convinced BZ's on-land setpieces aren't just broken.