Very interesting. I loved my first several hours with this game. The starting planet, taking off for the first time, exploring other planets, naming them, building a base, scrounging for resources… All of it.
But I quit pretty abruptly after my first couple of space combat encounters. That was not at all what I wanted out of that game. And I say that as someone who spent untold hours playing the X-Wing and Tie Fighter games in the 90s, and who forgave Star Wars: Squadron its shortcomings because it so reminded me of those glory days. Oh, not to mention all the hours I’ve spent fighting the Kilrathi in the Wing Commander series.
But as I said, not what I wanted from NMS. So if the “reduced danger” aspect of relaxed mode basically eliminates or at least minimises the space combat… Well, I might just strap in for some more space exploration.