Lo-Fi Games

In my most recent play through, I came up with a self-imposed restriction that seems to be making the game a lot more fun for me, so I thought I'd share.

The idea is this: I'm not allowed to buy research artifacts. Books, Ancient Books, Engineering Research, etc. I can only acquire them through exploring (I've been avoiding too much stealing, but I think a limit of 4 books stolen from a merchant would be good).

This has caused me to explore the map and set up many small bases to support exploration trips. It also helps to keep me from just researching up every single tech the moment I establish my first outpost. I get more time with those in-between techs, like the low-tier walls and crossbows.

I've also restricted my equipment usage to only use found unique/legendary or manufactured equipment, the moment I gain the ability to manufacture my own equipment of that type.

These two restrictions combined means bases are important for progression in combat and survivability, but exploring is very important to base and tech progression, so I don't end up just turtling in base the whole game or using exorbitant funds from just buying all the best equipment the moment I find a few AI Cores.

What do you guys think?

interesting
that could even be made into a Mod.

Cool.
I find the game changes a lot when you put personal restrictions on how you are going to play it. (but sometimes they are very hard to stick to. )
I have one game were I only eat what I can kill, no farms, no prepackaged store bought poison, and no base.
Everything is done off the camping menu.
Life of a wandering hunter.