How do you guys do it?

[beEZ]

Finished Wintermute now I wanted to play survival/challenges. I went for survival and already after my 4th day, I am dead bored of walking around aimlessly.

Survival in a nutshell: walk to a house, pick up stuff, feed, drink, sleep, warm up, leave house and go for another house. In the meantime kill animals to craft the best clothes.

I can't imagine going for the 500 days achievement, I'd be dead of boredom long before I died from mother nature.
I don't know how you guys do it and where do you get the fun from this.

[fortrus]

need to take a hint from modding community. i see a couple good ones, one of which tries to fix the hunger problem using stored calories as fat and really penalizing you when starving.

[IFIYGD]

Originally posted by fortrus:

need to take a hint from modding community. i see a couple good ones, one of which tries to fix the hunger problem using stored calories as fat and really penalizing you when starving.

You may want to tread really carefully here...

https://steamcommunity.com/app/305620/discussions/0/1739964683500547663/?ctp=2#c1741103267311803578

** hinterland_community [developer] **
"We do not support modding at this time. It’s something that we would like to put in the game in the future but only after several other priorities.

For now we do not allow linking to or promoting unapproved mods as they can create customer service work for our team when by interfering how the software works."

You'll note the last thread this came up in, again, was locked. Would be a shame for this thread to have the same thing happen. Discuss it on reddit, not here.

[fortrus]

not promoting it. it doesnt work btw.

[beEZ]

I am not sure that any mod would make this game more fun really. It's the gameplay that gets old really fast. But anyways, I got my fun out of it while it lasted. Back to uninstall until they come up with new episodes.

[IFIYGD]

Eh, you aren't the only person who enjoys Wintermute Story Mode, but not Survival Mode. Pleanty of people who do not enjoy the open-ended sandbox game mode. maybe try one or 2 of the Challenge modes. No NPC's to interact with, but they are all goal-oriented (quest mode) short "episodes" that blend the "quest" with the solitary survival sandbox. Kind of a mix of the 2.

Different strokes for different foks. I don't like long runs myself, but do enjoy Survival mode. But I make my own fun by playing only vanilla mode, no custom settings, and trying to find clmbing routes out of bounds, or to places technically on the maps, that seem to be for show only. Amazing when you find a way to some of them, after dying a dozen times trying, the unique views you get, that few others see outside of screenshots by crazy people who find the way there. It's amazing the detail Hinterland put into the terrain and flora in these seemingly off-limits places, like they understand that some of us are going to try to go there, just because it is there.

You do kind of have to make your own story and reason for doing antyhing in Survival Mode. It doesn't have to be staying alive for 500 days. 10 fast days running though the world screaming at wolves can be fun. ;)

[drIdentity]

Try Challenges. You'll get some direction. See how fast you can do Hopeless Rescue...it's not easy!

[Astralite]

How do we do it? We must possess qualities you lack. Like an imagination. We don't need a story mode to hold our hand and tell us where to go. Pick a random map and see if you can survive, or pick a specific map, come up with a plan and see if the game lets you do it.

There's nothing we can say to make the game better for you if you're just one of those people who are like "uggh, this is boring", like it's somehow our fault that you don't like it. Like we're some kind of anomoly. Yeah, there's no point to survival but the survival. There will be no rescue. You're making your own story. It gives you a lot of time to think. The game is against you, it doesn't want you to survive. If that isn't your thing, walk away until Chapter 3 is released, then you can finish that and complain about survival again instead of playing something else.

But being a level 0 private account without me being able to see what *totally exciting* games you play (besides Quake) doesn't help. What's boring is reading your post about not really understanding the game but trying to sum it up in one sentence (is that edgy? is that what the kids call edgy? do they still use that word?) as though it isn't completely subjective, saying the game is "boring" instead of "boring to me"....and really, since it looks like you bought the game less than a week ago, 75% off for a game you feel you're done with ain't bad.

I don't know how you do it and where do you not get the fun from this.

But if you really want a serious answer, I'd say you've barely experienced enough of the game to understand how "we do it", how we squeeze fun out of the rock that is survival. But I guess at least this isn't another "I can't survive past 4 days" post...I mean, did you start in Pilgrim? Nothing against the Pilgrims, but I'd say that'd be boring (to me). Judging from your snap "nutshell", I imagine you probably started in Milton, too. Talk about easy mode. The first 4 days are nothing. They're pre-heating the oven. I, at least, try to get certain things done in the first 1-2 days before the game really kicks in and SHTF. The weather will turn, the wolf population will be howling from one direction or another every day (stereo headphones are great).

Maybe you can find a good match-3 game to play or something if TLD survival mode is too much for you? It really does get harder, and that's what makes it fun.

Oh wait! I guess that's the answer. We play it because it gets harder. You want it to not be boring? Stop playing safe. Push yourself until you almost die. Go outside in a blizzard and find your way from A to B. Go hunt wolves with a knife and then patch yourself up (or not...). Be glad that today is boring, because tomorrow might suck (or you can stay inside and still be bored). There are what, like 9 or so maps now? I bet you've barely seen two...

[IFIYGD]

Originally posted by Astralite:

How do we do it? We must possess qualities you lack. Like an imagination. We don't need a story mode to hold our hand and tell us where to go. Pick a random map and see if you can survive, or pick a specific map, come up with a plan and see if the game lets you do it.

There's nothing we can say to make the game better for you if you're just one of those people who are like "uggh, this is boring", like it's somehow our fault that you don't like it. Like we're some kind of anomoly. Yeah, there's no point to survival but the survival. There will be no rescue. You're making your own story. It gives you a lot of time to think. The game is against you, it doesn't want you to survive. If that isn't your thing, walk away until Chapter 3 is released, then you can finish that and complain about survival again instead of playing something else.

But being a level 0 private account without me being able to see what *totally exciting* games you play (besides Quake) doesn't help. What's boring is reading your post about not really understanding the game but trying to sum it up in one sentence (is that edgy? is that what the kids call edgy? do they still use that word?) as though it isn't completely subjective, saying the game is "boring" instead of "boring to me"....and really, since it looks like you bought the game less than a week ago, 75% off for a game you feel you're done with ain't bad.

I don't know how you do it and where do you not get the fun from this.

But if you really want a serious answer, I'd say you've barely experienced enough of the game to understand how "we do it", how we squeeze fun out of the rock that is survival. But I guess at least this isn't another "I can't survive past 4 days" post...I mean, did you start in Pilgrim? Nothing against the Pilgrims, but I'd say that'd be boring (to me). Judging from your snap "nutshell", I imagine you probably started in Milton, too. Talk about easy mode. The first 4 days are nothing. They're pre-heating the oven. I, at least, try to get certain things done in the first 1-2 days before the game really kicks in and SHTF. The weather will turn, the wolf population will be howling from one direction or another every day (stereo headphones are great).

Maybe you can find a good match-3 game to play or something if TLD survival mode is too much for you? It really does get harder, and that's what makes it fun.

Oh wait! I guess that's the answer. We play it because it gets harder. You want it to not be boring? Stop playing safe. Push yourself until you almost die. Go outside in a blizzard and find your way from A to B. Go hunt wolves with a knife and then patch yourself up (or not...). Be glad that today is boring, because tomorrow might suck (or you can stay inside and still be bored). There are what, like 9 or so maps now? I bet you've barely seen two...

You know, the OP was not rude, di dnot insult anyone, did not even insult the game or the devs. They don't find Survival Mode enjoyable. That may change someday, it may not.

That is no reason to insult them and call them names, just because they asked for info or posted their feedback in a civil manner, unlike you.

They do not have to "get" Survival mode. They can play Wintermute only if they like. They will not be the only one who owns the game and feels that way.

[IvantheFormidable]

Originally posted by beEZ:

Finished Wintermute now I wanted to play survival/challenges. I went for survival and already after my 4th day, I am dead bored of walking around aimlessly.

Survival in a nutshell: walk to a house, pick up stuff, feed, drink, sleep, warm up, leave house and go for another house. In the meantime kill animals to craft the best clothes.

I can't imagine going for the 500 days achievement, I'd be dead of boredom long before I died from mother nature.
I don't know how you guys do it and where do you get the fun from this.

If you want a mad dash for survival, try a couple of Loper rounds!

More seriously, I think the aimlessness is part of the experience for me, although I'm not sure I'd call it that. After all, there is an overall aim to survive, as well as individual goals you can set yourself. I find using the in-game journal to plot trips and record stashs helps keep me on track (like prepping for week long trips away from my main base can take a couple days to pull together, or a reminder to restock a supply cache I depleted on one of my trips).

I do disagree with your assessment of "survival in a nutshell" mainly because it leaves out one of the most important aspects of survival mode. Planning. Where to go. What to do. How long your supplies will last for. The one major downfall of even experienced players is carelessness.

On a more conceptual note, I enjoy the feeling of walking around the winter landscape with only survival to worry about. Suppose it's a nice break from the real world when I have a couple of hours to set aside.

But like most things, not everyone will have fun. If it's not for you, OP, that's fine. Feel free to hang out until they release episode 3 and dive back in!

[KarmaTheAlligator]

It's all about what you enjoy, really. I mean, yeah, going for the 500 days achievement is a chore to me, too (currently on 422 days), but I really enjoy the feeling of isolation, the sound effects (absolutely love those), just walking around seeing the sights (I love snow, but there's basically none where I live, so I get my fill from the game), seeing if I can do things differently than on my last attempt (for example, I'm currently on Timberwolf Mountains, a place I don't usually spend a lot of time in).

Right now what keeps me going is: having a non-stop burning fire as long as possible, and killing every wolf I meet, so that I'll end up with more dead wolves than days survived. If you can set yourself some goals, the experience will be better.

[andross]

Try a higher difficulty? It will get less boring very quickly.

[Nil Desperandum]

Originally posted by KarmaTheAlligator:

It's all about what you enjoy, really. I mean, yeah, going for the 500 days achievement is a chore to me, too (currently on 422 days), but I really enjoy the feeling of isolation, the sound effects (absolutely love those), just walking around seeing the sights (I love snow, but there's basically none where I live, so I get my fill from the game), seeing if I can do things differently than on my last attempt (for example, I'm currently on Timberwolf Mountains, a place I don't usually spend a lot of time in).

Right now what keeps me going is: having a non-stop burning fire as long as possible, and killing every wolf I meet, so that I'll end up with more dead wolves than days survived. If you can set yourself some goals, the experience will be better.

@beEZ: The above says it perfectly:

Personally I'm currently at 491 days of a 500 day run to get my 500 achievement. Yeah it can get a little 'samey' so to dispel the boredom I have completely remapped (I got the FC achievement on a previous run) the whole of bear island. It fills in the days admirably even though I really don't need a map now - it is something to do to pass time though. If you don't fancy the idea of playing a 500 day run, that's okay, the Challenges - as others have said - are a really good way to get some 'satisfaction/fulfilment out of the game. The Hunted part one and two are very good challenges - challenging describes both these challenges perfectly. Good luck!

[The Mighty Mulletman]

That's the way of sandbox survival games. You need to set your own goals and keep yourself busy. Some time will be spent surviving. The rest of the time you need to fill in yourself.

Thankfully I'm still new and am enjoying the exploration of maps. That fills my days. That and hoarding stuff.

[SBlack]

I usually don't like sandbox games too much. I'm always motivated at the beginning and then lose interest pretty soon. TLD is different for some reason though. I don't know why.

I only player Interloper though. Everything else is just too easy. Interloper takes away man made tools and top clothing. That right there gives you some goals: craft your tools and clothing. Without good clothing you aren't going to make it later on as it gets colder soon. The first is easy. The second one take some time what with having to hunt wolves or even bears, waiting to cure the hides and then spend a long time crafting.
I couldn't do 500 days though. That's just boring grinding. I did Faithful Cartographer on Stalker in something like 130 days maybe. My current Interloper game is on day 90. I could go to 150 maybe. Not sure

[NocturnalPuff]

I got the game pre-story so that impacts it a little... but tbh, I find it a relaxing tense struggle to find a way to survive using only what I can craft, hunt and find. I have to find shelter, figure out the balance between looking for supplies and staying inside, figuring out when to move on from an area (and what to carry, what to leave behind) without dying along the way between one area and another.
It becomes my character's story instead of the main character.