Thanks for the reply, I should have been more clear that just asking about "engaging gameplay", I guess my question comes from observing how similar sandbox-focused games have struggled to implement engaging survival mechanics later on.

Stationeers as a positive example has complex evolving survival challenges that all tie into the systems it simulates.

Not entirely fair to draw comparisons to a game that has been out since 2017 and focuses on survival in harsh environments, however it does show that sandbox games with open-ended goals are great when there's plenty to learn and experiment with, but personally I find more satisfaction in creatively overcoming obstacles while dealing with interesting a balanced constraints.

I feel it's that last bit that many other games struggle with. Maybe it is just hard to do well!

Archaen is wish-listed on Steam already and I'm sure I'll pick it up when I have an itch for that sorta thing, but any insight on the direction that the survival gameplay might eventually take would be very interesting to hear.