That maybe true. I never got to that part because the beginning of the game was so bad, 2-3 hours of constant deaths because there is not enough oxygen. The rest may be better, but from what I can tell from others the flight model is dreadful. And when you get to another planet you need to start shooting crap again to refuel it from what I understand. If I'm wrong about that and refuelling is easy and I don't need to shoot crap anymore then I may be interested. But from what I can tell, that is not the case.
I have also said I will try again and try to persevere. Maybe start again as I may have been on an unlucky starting planet.
I never had these issues with ED.
Restarting will get you a different planet. Good idea.
The only thing that has to be mined is carbon for the most part,later when you get enough credits that doesnt even have to be mined. You can break more complex components down in baser mats so when you have a ton of cash you can buy the more complex stuff made from carbon and break them down.
And thats the key in NMS to not having to grind.
Ferrite,sodium,copper,cobalt and basically most other materials can be bought. Or buy the stuff you want to turn those mats into.
The other ships that land at stations also sell mats,each ship has a different chance to have different mats. A few mins of checking each as they land should be enough to get you what you want.
You can also buy ships the same way,just pick "Offer to buy lifeforms ship". That way you use credits instead of mats/mining to get what you want.
On stations talk to each alien,pick the barter option if it shows. You give them 1000cr they give you back something thats worth minimum 12k bar the odd chance to get life support gel.
Suit slots can be bought at stations also,no need to grind the mats for them on a planet.
After 26hr i have 6 ships,bought them all so never repaired any with materials.
Exactly like elite,the more ye know the easier is to do things in a efficent way.
Cant argue about the flight model,its not great. I will say it seems to have improved since the last patch but its not a patch on elites model. Managable is probably the word id use.
If your still not liking the game then fair enough,i hmjust wanted to highlight that its not a mine/gathering fest if you dont want it to be.
One of the lads i play with is the opposite,he loves mining and base building. Barely left his starter system but thats fine,the game accomodates both playstyles imo.