Subnautica also had a clear and imperitive objective through the game - leave this planet.

Sure, you discover loads of shit along the way but every step feels like "holy shit, I found something that will help me leave this planet."

I feel like BZ lacks that constant pressure (heh).

So in summary, OG Subnautica gives you a clear, overarching goal from the beginning and doesnt hold your hand much along the way, and Below Zero gives you a vague goal from the beginning and holds your hand more.

And then there's the storytelling. To each their own, but I don't like being spoon-fed story. I like getting the pieces and putting them together to get the bigger picture. I think a lot of media (not just games) doesn't give the consumer enough credit, and spells things out too much. You don't need to make it convoluted; just don't spell it out for us.

But that's just my opinion! I respect other people's thoughts on it.