I don’t think I could ever play without a jetpack. Ingot density helps solve so many logistical issues. Higher tech recipes making some things more efficient gives the game a really fun sense of progression.
That’s outside of just liking all the puzzles it adds to the game.
Anyone feel similar? Different?
Me too! I’m not using space yet, but grabbed a few mods. A popular weapons (war?) mod adds too many options, but by far the worst is the AI aircraft mod. I turned off most of the vehicles, but I’m now dependant on AI aircraft for resupplying remote bases. Thing is, that’s all I want from that mod; napalming biter nests was fun for a while, but in the end, it’s just a muddle of extra aircraft recipes I don’t use. I’m going to have to go through a serious cull here.
To OP’s point, the jetpack mod is priceless; it should be in the base game. I’m also fond of the ships, and like the mechanics - it’s simple, clean, and consistent with the base rails. The advanced armor is also indispensible for the extra slots, and also a natural extension to the base game.
The whole AI extension, and associated vehicles, is clever, but feels like a wierd different mechanic I find jarring.
Anyhoo, I’ve gone way off-topic. But it’s making me realize that I think I’m going to have to go through a cull ofy mods; some just don’t add enough “fun” for the additional complexity they bring, which I think is what you were saying. I’m happier with mods with more modest goals, like the jetpack.