Is this game too random? Win only with luck?

[Incia3000]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_OXm_zsQrI

All with the limited supplies, it all goes down to what random events you get... there's no guide on how to win the game because it's all random. This throws the whole skill level through the window.

I scavenge all the necessary equipments, Timmy even scavenges the rest of the important tools. However, still fail miserably at the end due to random events.

Any tips on improving the run, what could I have done differently to acquire a win?

[Martyin]

It is pretty random, but there are often ways around

The radio is incredibly important, but you were talking about that so you know. Remember though; to activate other parts of the military summons you NEED either the flashlight, axe, or map. The game randomly chooses one of these items so it's impossible to guess which one you'll need, just learn to prioritize certain items early game. It might be worth focusing on food and water once you have important items like the radio, map, boy scout handbook, and gas mask or medkit.

A pro tip I got from watching DOZENS of different let's plays; you only need to give them water every 5 days, regardless of how much the family whines for it. Food can also be spread out. It conserves your supplies and leaves you more time to get helpful events.

The bug spray is kinda useless by itself. Get the boy scout handbook, you can use the book to squash bugs and avoid getting sick which is the only use for the bug spray alone that I've seen, AND more importantly you'll be eventually given a random event using the boy scout handbook, giving you the option to repair a broken item (like the map, gas mask, etc) OR to turn the bug spray into a med kit. The boy scout handbook can also be used as birthday gifts for the kids, to reduce the chance of them going crazy (without breaking the book). The book can also be used to repair things in the shelter during annoying events that might get your survivors sick. And I sincerely do not recall seeing the book ever break from use, so you likely won't lose it unless an event comes to damage your items.

There is a LOT of random chance, but there's also a tiny bit of strategy to work with the random chance. Sometimes you'll literally be handed food and water during clutch situations, other times the game will mess with you and send you an event early game (flood, or fire) to destroy all your important items anyways.

I've watched Let's players play up to 60+ episodes of this game, and... yes, there is a lot of random chance in terms of which events will come up, but there IS a way to learn and predict these events, even plan around them.

One of the most common early-game events I've seen is a flood or a fire in the shelter that will require you to save 1 of three items (usually the radio, map, medkit etc), so there can be an advantage on starting out small.

Just remember; the radio is a MUST if you want to be rescued. The gas mask is another must-have if you want to venture out (just be aware it'll break probably after the first or second expedition), and if you don't have a gas mask then a med kit is equally important for expeditions.

I hope these were helpful tips; please keep in mind that I have NOT played the game for myself. I only feel confident giving tips because, like I said earlier, I've watched a ridiculous amount of let's players on this game. In my humble opinion, I think this game balances out luck with strategy/skill decently. It's not perfect, so feel free to disagree with me, especially since I don't own the game (yet).

[Dead on Release]

I say if a natural disaster (earthquake, fire, flood) and the boy scout book is one of the items, save that. The radio, map, flashlight, gas mask, ventilation, and the pipe that leaks the goo can be repaired. I've played the game for over a year and it's occured to me that every time i have all the items that i need to be rescued by the military (Radio, map, axe, playing cards and flashlight) it either doesn't give the events or does them very rarely. here's a reccomended run i use and get rescued with. Handbook, Timmy, Delores, radio, playing cards, ammo, map, 3 food and water, gas mask, axe, rifle, medkit, padlock,ammo, bugspray, suitcase (to get extra items from the start), flashlight. Bring Mary Jane if you want a mutant, but if you bring all 4 familiy members, you will need alot of food and water. Listen to the radio and wait for the fallout to go away then send people to scavange. I reccomened timmy because he brings good stuff back. Day 50 is where more and more bandits will come to your door and steal all your supplies or take your family members. Past day 50 is not the time to scavange. Scavange before day 50 and you have a lower chance of being captured. If you get a phone call at the start, answer it and it may be the twins. It triggers the start of the twins rescuing you. If you make contact with the military just do as they say (Get rid of rifle, flash your light at the pilots, etc.) If bandits raid your shelter and take eveything besides broken stuff, open doors when they get knocked. The military may come for you in that time. If you want to alter this stradegy in your liking it's your choice, but it may not work.

[TeddyChynski]

This is a short answer, but rely on strategy, not skill.