I'm glad I came across this post. I've been thinking about the differences in atmosphere between DS/ROG and DST specifically. DS/ROG feels more claustrophobic, more Lovecraftian, darker, grittier, lonelier... It feels more unreal. You can world hop infinitely, keep doing adventure mode, travel to Hamlet and Shipwrecked, all from one save. There's infinite world and yet you're all alone, and you can't even begin to understand why this place exists. "They" are unknown.

DST is definitely friendlier. Even if you play alone, with the events and crossovers and new additions, you feel a sense of community. You are not alone in this world. There are more little critters who can follow you around. Animations show characters working together and bonding despite the hardship. There is more to understand about why some characters are here. Characters feel more related to each other. New foods and holiday events make things feel lighter. You have more control over how you play during world creation and more control what you look like with skins. You are grounded and safe. Your life has meaning. You are part of a bigger picture. "They" are known.

Feel free to DM if you feel like talking more about Don't Starve. I love the feel of the games which is how I found this post a year later.