There could be a body of water (with trees) which you could swim through. You could add a sea creature such as a shark or Loch Ness Monster which acts like a sand worm. There could be fish for aesthetic too.
Also i like the idea with oasis. Maybe adding small island with water around and chest on the center would be good. Also a monster in the water that hunts for players could be cool.
Ideas
Players movement would be reduced to 50%
Like the worm, the shark would be seen by his fin and nothing else until he jumped for you
Also, I don't think a whole other animation is needed for the "swimming" animation instead just movement difficulties
It could be the player wading through the oasis
.... No
Seva, are you going to get average "-" points?
At least make some constructive criticism, is it because I disliked your idea?
Some time ago I added a post about adding water to the wilds. I have described some mechanics that can water have. Check if you want:
http://wilds.userecho.com/topics/1920-the-idea-of-adding-water/
Also i like the idea with oasis. Maybe adding small island with water around and chest on the center would be good. Also a monster in the water that hunts for players could be cool.
That idea is perfect. If you scroll through comments, tytanowy shared a good looking .png of the water