I love how in Subnautica you start as a stranded person without any utilities and any possibility to explore the world further but as you advance you get things to explore better and get more out of your surroundings. It's one of the best games to manage progression to be a part of the experience. Is there any similar games with that aspect?
Any game as interesting progression wise as Subnautica?
oooh. it has a demo!
Yes, but just be aware this demo is old and the game has been updated a LOT since.
Noted. Thanks!
The Planet Crafter is excellent. 100% recommended.
Forever Skies
Breathedge
Valheim
Metroid Prime
Outer Wilds
Grounded
Outer Wilds is similar with regards to the exploration and uncovering of a story, but from what I've seen it completely lacks progression through tools and such. All progression is limited to knowledge. That doesn't change that it's an excellent game totally worth playing. Just adding this in case the OP was looking for progress through gadgets or stats.
Terraria. You start out with no mobility or anything special, but pick up insanely strong equipment that begins to give OP effects and you constantly are scaling throughout the play through. Such as first getting a horse shoe that negates fall damage, then adding rocket boots to fly slightly, then wings for longer and faster flight, then an insignia for infinite flight.
I think to some extent No Man's Sky has a similar feel to me.
The Long Dark
The raft
Minecraft
Project Zomboid combines complex RPG mechanics, simulation, sandbox crafting, and zombie survival. It's a game that gives you a false sense of security a lot, as even once you think you've got yourself well situated, new events occur that cause you to either have to adapt or die.
Although I love this game, it does not have that sense of progression OP is wanting. You just need knowledge and you can do anything you want for the most part. + only the early game is fleshed out for now (can't wait for b42!!)
Grow Home. It's the inverse of Subnautica - your upgrades don't allow you to explore down deeper, they increase your mobility as you explore higher up into the atmosphere.
Maybe the cybernetic augments in System Shock Remake and the Deus Ex franchise ?
The Planet Crafter
It has a strong Subnautica vibe, with a pinch of No Man's Sky (not procedural though, well except some late additions to the game).
You are a prisoner serving your sentence (f*ck Sentinel Corp.) by terraforming a planet so that it can be colonized.
You explore a handmade map to collect resources, build and craft to improve atmospheric pressure, heat, oxygen, biomass. All that is gathered in a 'Terraforming Index' score (Ti).
You really see the world changing thanks to your hard work: First blue sky, then clouds, rain, lakes and rivers, moss, grass, and so on. Last stage is animals you create with a mix of genetic traits.
There is a little story (The Wardens, The Smugglers, Sentinel Corp.) for a proper ending: leave the planet once job is done (5 Terra Ti = Terraforming complete). But the game is not story driven at all, you progress mainly by exploring and unlocking new equipments, machines, and buildings.
Game went out of EA a few weeks ago, it has a multiplayer coop mode now, More free updates to come (new biome and content, QoL improvements).
Late EDIT: Forgot to mention there is zero combat in this game. That is... You start on a barren planet, and YOU are the one who will later create animals (non hostile).