Hunger/Thirst

VoodooDreamer

I know this is a worn-out gripe, and I'm new to the game, but the hunger/thirst system is definitely unbalanced in the preview. The system as-is in Survival Mode seems like it's more suited to Hardcore Mode. Maybe if it's left as it is for Hardcore then slowed to half or even one-third its current rate for Survival, it would be more appealing to the diverse gamer base, especially with the Freedom and Creative options to completely remove it.

I'm loving the preview so far on the Xbox One, even though I'm only a few hours in. I have a Survival save started but it's currently on hold as I play through in Freedom Mode to get a good feel for the game. Got tired of starving to death and dehydrating before I could do anything. Twelve deaths in two hours is "meh". Freedom Mode definitely has me addicted, though.

Dracobomba

It's not that hard to catch fish in the safe shallows, and there's usually at least two kinds of fish and one edible plant material in each biome (Gel sacks, Koosh bushes, Bulbo trees, Kelp samples, etc). These edible plants also give decent amounts of water. If you're starving, that's probably because you didn't think to bring along any supplies before you make long trips out from your home base. And if you're dehydrating, just make sure to turn a bunch of Airsacks into filtered water before you go on your next excursion. If you can find the stillsuit, it allows you to pretty much get by on whatever's around for the rest of the game.

The game doesn't tell you all this by itself, but I believe that the "trial and error" process is part of the game unique charm. When in doubt, scan and collect everything you can; you'll find something interesting in the most inconspicuous object.