It is of my belief that one should be able to interact with some more of the things that are around in the enviroment. Being able to power up the messed up bases with a puzzle of sorts, nothing exhaustive or tedious just an interesting and enjoyable thing to do to get some blueprint or some deeper lore, or supplies. Or something…
I also mean tobring up the synergy of you and the environment and ways to interact with it and have it interact with you as a whole. Curiosity from the creatures would be interesting to see, rather than just fight or flight.
Maybe different tools and or variations on some tools? Maybe an aerogel net launcher for rapid fish collection and or the ability to buy a knick or two of time in a stressful situation.
Maybe the creatures of the deep could remember/learn to either leave you be, run away or bring friends?