I just finished Subnautica, it’s a bit grindy but you’re always making new things along the way so it doesn’t feel that grindy. From what I’ve heard of Elite Dangeous, the subnautica map is far smaller (I’d guess you could swim from one end to the other in maybe 15 minutes or so?) but it’s INCREDIBLY dense. So many coral reefs and things to explore, so many unusual different species of plant and animal life to scan and read about, so many wrecks to search through... it’s pretty great, I can safely say it was a good use of money and time. And once you get the tools to do so, it feels pretty liberating to start building bases around the world. Some near the surface, in trenches, in really bizarre environments... it’s pretty great