Long-term survival

[Mattrex]

With new areas being added to the island in the latest update, and even more coming later, I'm wondering about the viability of long-term (or even indefinite) survival.

Some of the game's mechanics suggest to me a certain inclination toward rushing:
- The need to quickly get reliable water production in place before day ~30 and the dry season (sometimes, depending on rain luck, even as early as day 20)
- Fast preparations for camp fever in the second month
- The increasing intensity of mental pressures and increased difficulty in managing mental states as time goes on
- Resource depletion (animal/plant depopulation)

I'm currently ~130 days into my longest run, and there are many things I've barely touched; I've only explored enough of the Highlands to get enough copper for a shovel, and I haven't dared the Grasslands at all yet. Days ~30-90 were pretty rough and it was a daily struggle for first water (in the face of a drought) and then food (in the face of endless storms). After that, depression reared its ugly head.

Mental management has been getting noticeably more difficult. Will this continue to escalate? I'm not sure where I'll ever find the time or resources necessary to explore all the new areas on the island if it does - especially if I get injured during exploration, as injuries are serious setbacks while they heal.

[Neomare]

Originally posted by Mattrex:

With new areas being added to the island in the latest update, and even more coming later, I'm wondering about the viability of long-term (or even indefinite) survival.

Some of the game's mechanics suggest to me a certain inclination toward rushing:
- The need to quickly get reliable water production in place before day ~30 and the dry season (sometimes, depending on rain luck, even as early as day 20)
- Fast preparations for camp fever in the second month
- The increasing intensity of mental pressures and increased difficulty in managing mental states as time goes on
- Resource depletion (animal/plant depopulation)

I'm currently ~130 days into my longest run, and there are many things I've barely touched; I've only explored enough of the Highlands to get enough copper for a shovel, and I haven't dared the Grasslands at all yet. Days ~30-90 were pretty rough and it was a daily struggle for first water (in the face of a drought) and then food (in the face of endless storms). After that, depression reared its ugly head.

Mental management has been getting noticeably more difficult. Will this continue to escalate? I'm not sure where I'll ever find the time or resources necessary to explore all the new areas on the island if it does - especially if I get injured during exploration, as injuries are serious setbacks while they heal.

Long term survival is possible. Things get harder over time mentally but there is a limit how much it escalates.

Same with comfort. It helps fight of the bad effects and has a limit of how much you can increase it.

So if you are struggling that probably means you are not nearly as comfortable compared to how things suck because you are all alone on a deserted Island.

If you keep being vigilant and increase the Comfort of your hut and do good things, eat prepared meals, sleep for 8 hours every second day, do various activities, avoid bad things it should improve for you a lot.


But yea for a new player it might seam you have to rush things but that is mostly because of the lack of knowledge how to do things easy way and what to prioritize and when. I asure you the game is quite doable without getting into many problems at all.

It will get easier as you learn it better. If you have any more questions please ask.

Cheers and good luck!

[Philtre]

Originally posted by Mattrex:

Mental management has been getting noticeably more difficult. Will this continue to escalate? I'm not sure where I'll ever find the time or resources necessary to explore all the new areas on the island if it does - especially if I get injured during exploration, as injuries are serious setbacks while they heal.

It gets much easier to stay in good shape as you get yourself more established. A fully upgraded, furnished hut helps a lot with mental states, and as you build up infrastructure (wells/water reservoirs, crop plots, etc), you establish a reliable supply of water, food, and medicinal herbs. Injuries and maladies that might be fatal early game become much less threatening when you have enough resources stockpiled to just stay in your hut for a week while you heal.