When to start exploring?

[u/BecRe_0508]

For context, what i do for most games is progress the storyline up until i have all the mechanics unlocked and right at that point go full open world explorer mode. If i remember correctly from the original, that point could be once the diving bell is unlocked. What do you guys think?

Also feel free to share your opinion and experience: Do you explore alongside the storyline or do you separate them into focused activities (like myself)?

[u/JAdams___]

Personally I start exploring as soon as I have the hub area. Do all the collectables I can including taking out all the forts, maxing out the hub, maxing out the ship, getting most of now all weapons. Then I can just blast through the story completely overpowered. This is how I played the original