Oxygen (air) refill balance in closed spaces
Problem
Oxygen Tunics and oxygen vents are placed too densely and are too useful in closed spaces. They reduce the incentive to use equipment like Portable oxygen generator, Air bladder (after exit), and biomods like Pulse Control and Pathfinder (to locale recently visited oxygen refill spot). They also take away the tension of deep or long excursions. In the current state, oxygen management quickly stops being an engaging and “active” part of gameplay when exploring caves and wrecks to a lesser extent.
Not a problem
No suggestions for air refill balance in the open water, no need to make travel and resource gathering more grindy. Wrecks don’t suffer as much as caves too - there are generally no refills, and it is fine due to wrecks’ smaller size.
Controversial partial solution
Make air refills less abundant. While this will decrease the smoothness and ease of exploration, it will also raise the stakes and prompt players to approach missions more thoughtfully and will add importance to preparation.
This is especially important in high reward areas (plot or progression-related) to add weight, raise the sense of danger and accomplishment.
Not only count reduction
There is also opportunity to introduce buildable oxygen refill sites (more efficient than portable, but stationary). These can run on powercells to make them more useful (now only in tadpole), or be connected to power grid for permanent production as alternative for corridor + hatch. Those stationary generators can be constructed on top of weaker or blocked variants of air vents and tunics to give more control to designers for placement and to prevent overuse by players.
PS: this is a bigger topic that can’t be viewed separately from Tadpole accesibility, which can enter most places and is a mobile air pocket. Will link other suggestion later
I wouldn’t want to be forced to use an item, e.g. the portable oxygen generator, at any point, but I would agree the available means of attaining air are too dense. They’re placed strategically enough, but cutting down on the sheer number of them, especially in open space, would be welcome.