'Aeronautica' sequel setting idea

Set on another planet where the profusion of life surges UP towards the sky, rather than down into watery depths.

Another World

Explore the smaller of the two moons orbiting 4546B. You just know those Precursors must have been doing something dodgy up there!

From chriswmackey https://forums.unknownworlds.com/discussion/comment/2379711/

The Environment

In this world you explore upwards, rather than downwards. This time it's the acrophobics who can fill their space trousers.

This moon is dominated by the canopy of a colossal 'Wold-Tree' that houses great schools of flying creatures - with a diversity envied by any coral reef. But its ecosystems change as you ascend into increasingly toxic higher layers - patrolled by increasingly toothier creatures.

You follow a trail of Precursor ruins towards some McGuffin high above, where the very highest branches scrape the edge of space. But ignore that vertigo you're feeling - this world has low gravity and a thick atmosphere - making primitive flight is a little easier than you might expect; The low gravity means any fall is likely to cause a setback, rather than a certain death sentence we enjoy on Earth.

A pervasive haze limits visibility, and the atmosphere is layered and toxic, so always wear an Alterra approved helmet! As you ascend it becomes increasingly corrosive - requiring the protection of
titanium-hulled vehicles to progress.

Naturally there's some floating islands up there to explore, with enough flat space in the late game to build your unnecessarily huge castles in the sky.

Artist's idea of a world dominated by a mega tree. More canopy needed for us I think

It's seedlings take root on nearby floating islands, and migrate to other continents

Critters

Down low there's lots of pretty things to hunt!

High up there's lots of pretty ugly things to hunt you!

Travel

Don't roar around in Seamoth, but rather travel at a leisurely pace, perhaps at the helm of a flapping Ornithopter or a bloated Airship, Jets or propellers must by used very sparingly here , since the commotion attracts great swarms of hovering Energy Leeches that soon down any conventional craft. At the higher altitudes all transport must be fitted with various upgrade modules to withstand the corrosive gas layers.

Vehicle-free travel

Like all Subnautica games you start out with very little gear. So ascent begins with equipping a basic breathing apparatus and manually scaling the trunk of the great World Tree. Or perhaps you could try climbing up the twisty anchor-root of one of its satellite floating islands, where you just might find the wreckage left by past explorers to scan..









Thinking about an inevitable fall, you worry just how much your helmet resembles an egg

The Spidercrab

A climbing version of Alterra's aquatic PRAWN suit, it also swings between branches. Powerful jump-jet modules can certainly be added, but incautious use will attract energy leeches. Its shoulder-mounted 'parachute module' is always very welcome during unplanned descents.













The shorter 'arms' are 'spinnerets' enabling spider-man like branch swinging. Cool.

The Skymoth

This small craft fills the 'agile vehicle' role of Seamoth. Except it's an 'ornthhopter', held aloft by mechanical damselfly type wings. Its small size lets you navigate deftly between the tangled boughs of the Great Tree's canopy.






I like its fat slow-beating wings. Fire up it's booster jets at your own peril!

The Sky Whale

Ponderously slow, but roomy. This vehicle fills the Cyclops-style Winnebago role, but uses lighter-than-air tech (e.g. Zeppelin style). Naturally it includes a handy docking bay for your smaller Skymoth or Spidercrab vehicles.













Seldom using its tail jet, lazy wing-beats allow a 'Silent Running' mode

Habitat Bases

• Air-sealed compartments must be built to keep the toxic atmosphere at bay. These can be bolted to tree trunks or hung beneath boughs.
  
• Instead of reinforcing against increasing water pressure at depth, these must be reinforced against increasing corrosion at altitude (using tech upgrades discovered in-game).
  
• Vehicle docks of various kinds to prevent the player's face from melting upon exit.

Like this, but with Alterra's squeaky-clean hygienic finish

Thanks

 WraithGear - for the title

[Sputnik]

Wow, go underground you reckon? Maybe in a drilling machine that uses seismic scanning to draw a 3D map to navigate with!

[TalmondTheLost]

Imagine that if someone goes to the roots, they can see what this planet's Gargantuan Leviathan like creature was, and it looks like Jormungandar.