Honeycomb: The World Beyond is above-ground Subnautica with bioengineering and hoverboards

rockpapershotgun.com:

I was just pondering writing something about Subnautica, inspired by revelations that there’s a new Subnautica project on the boil, and along comes the decidedly Subnautica-esque Honeycomb: The World Beyond with a trailer. Developed by Polish team Frozen Way, whose other projects include, erm, Hairdresser Simulator, it casts you as Hennessy, a human xenobiologist who is starting afresh on the alien planet of Sota7.

As in Unknown Worlds’ survival sim, you’ll search various biomes for resources, build solar-powered habitats on stilts with nice, wide windows, and gradually amass a database of local animals and plants. Unlike in Subnautica, you won’t be constantly at risk of suffocation.

The animals come in all shapes, sizes and temperaments. There are quadrupeds with long, arched tails that look like a blend of goat and meerkat – going by the footage, they’re prone to mimicking your behaviour. There’s also a sort of hench, shaggy unicorn creature that is apparently harmless providing you don't cross its turf. Plants include spiral trees, giant Brussel sproutalikes, and amantus flowers with dangling red petals.

Honeycomb doesn’t seem to feature any direct combat or killing, though you can take damage and be afflicted by status effects such as bleeding. It wants you to care for the environment, rather than conquer it: according to the latest development update, the “most important inspiration for the game is nature and the role it plays in the survival of our planet and frankly, without bees, mankind would be gone in less than five years”. But if it doesn't let you go on a rampage, it does let you play God.

You’ll be able to crossbreed the flora, from berry trees to fungus, producing new varieties. You’ll gather and