There are two easy ways to tweak the game without needing mods. You can kind custom craft a pseudo new game+ that way.
- Game settings/advanced game settings - can allow you to start with tech unlocked, hostiles set to passive, and a variety of other settings
- SCIM can let you easily edit your save game, including, but not limited to unlocking recipes, unlocked research etc.
I've been debating tweaking some settings for my second go (when 1.1 drops) myself. I think giving myself Manual Depot Uploader from the start of the game will really make the play though more fun without really altering the need to go exploring. I've been waffling on setting all the critters to retaliate only. I think I want to redo all of the crash sites to explore the new breakdown mechanic, but that's just me. I do want to see if there are new achievements with 1.1 before i tweak an advanced setting, but I guess I could spin up an old save for that if I cared enough.
Your game, make it play how you want to make it play.
Are you finding the new conveyor counters useful?