I have only ever played in survival mode. I built a big tower with a giant glass house on top. I am currently extending the bottom of the tower to include an enclosed hallway that leads to another natural mountain, where I will build another structure of some sort. I know I can go into free mode or whatever and easily make what I feel like without any opposition, but I find it satisfying to scavenge for materials and avoid danger. That said, I think I am going to make a free mode file and just go nuts with it someday.

I don't play it very often, but it's not because of a lack of interest, but for a lack of time. If you have a friend that has it on whatever, play it there and see how you feel. Otherwise, just look up videos of long playthroughs in as many modes as you can to see if you will dig it.