Rings of Saturn (2023)

This game is a hiden gem mineral and I'm sad that nobody talks about it here.

It may be a bit niche, but it's impressive how you can learn so much about it by just playing. No tutorials, no explanatory texts, just practice. That's very contrasted to Death Stranding, where they beat you over the head with explanations as if you're a 3 year old.

Gameplay mechanics, nuance of zero gravity physics and space jargon all can be learned just via playing. No tutorial popups. I don't see the game explaining what △V is anywhere, and Wikipedia also confused me. But I just played with different ship configurations and flew around and it became obvious. I also learned how exhaust velocity, propellant consumption and thrust relate to each other in thrusters and enjoyed trying different combinations of ship loadouts, just to tinker and see what works and what doesn't.

Also, stumbling upon anomalies that allow you to earn lots of money feels really good. And in many games I just don't care about money.

The game also features ability to earn money by running a ship repair shop, taking advantage of mineral market price fluctuations, fighting pirates or helping pirates, being a towing ship and towing derelict ships.
But all of this is optional and you just figure out these opportunities as you go.

So, no handholding, yet easy to figure things out. Big like.

Space miner simulator with random non-mining events happening around you.

My only complaint is that it's too addictive, like RimWorld. You sit down to play 1-2 hours, get consumed by the game, postpone all your day plans (including sleep) for "just one more expedition". And once you quit the game, exhausted, your brain still thinks what you're going to do in the game next time.

Still, that's my personal problem. The game is cool, if you're into this kind of thing.

I liked that the shops return 100% money when you return equipment (if undamaged), which allows me to try different loadouts without losing money.