I've read a ton of good things about this game, so I started it this week. I'm a couple of hours in now, but all I'm doing is floating around in the little space ship so far, and respawning every so often when I do something dumb.
Without spoiling it for me, is this really what this game is about? Does it get interesting at some point (soon I hope)?
UPDATE 1 DAY LATER: OK, so, using my ship log helped and I found something amazing. So I think I've found my way now and will stick with it. Thanks @tetraodon and everyone -- y'all rock!
It sounds like you keep dying early on in your runs, which might be keeping you from seeing the main thing that is going on in the game.
Very Minor Spoiler
The sun is dying and is about to go supernova, you will die in about 20 minutes, even if you don't get yourself killed via dumbness. Your job is to figure out why you keep respawning, why you get to keep your memories when you respawn, what is causing the sun to go nova, and how to stop it.
You should primarily be using the console inside your ship, which keeps track of the web of information you've already learned and helps you figure out where to go next. A lot of the game is using the translator to read ancient writing, so if that's not your thing it may just not be for you.
I mean, it's the main mechanic of the game, and happens in the first 22 minutes of the game. I would not describe that as a "major spoiler" but it is neat when it just happens suddenly.
I didn't mean to offend. But what's a minor spoiler for some might be a major spoiler for others, which is the case for the OP. It'd be pretty sad to miss out on the "when it hits"-moment
Well, OP was talking about putting the game down, in which case they never would have seen it anyway. I'd rather someone know it's coming and stick with the game than not know about it and stop playing