I have always disliked in this type of game PVP and that has kept me out of playing survival type games in general. Didn't see much point in putting time into something to have someone come along and destroy it for funsies.

A friend actually got the game for me to play with him and it turned out I really do like this type of game without the PVP aspect. The exploring and logistics of base planning as well as progression and combat were fun rather than feeling like chores.

Granted the game does feel like it slogs down a bit in the black forest but I feel that is primarily due to increasing the things you have to do to progress like farming and cooking on top of starting to mine resources and breed/tame animals. Taming and breeding are not "needed" but if a good opportunity presents itself it isn't bad either. But all those new activities are vying for your time suddenly.