Overall strategy?

[e11]

Either I'm doing something wrong or this game is crazy difficult.

My first playthough didn't get far, but hey, I was figuring the game out. In the second I picked up everything in every house as I passed and broke apart every box for fuel. And yet by the fourth section everyone was exhausted and freezing, and after repairing a bed I didn't actually have fuel to survive a nap.

Also, lots and lots of crazy.

Any general advice?

[Ryuu]

Any specific questions? :)

Use Maria, her skill is REALLY GREAT for beginners. And unlock more characters, some are more powerful or can simply suit your playstyle better.

Sleep in first two zones before leaving them, after that sleep would be more risky and require more critical resources - traps, ammo.

[e11]

Originally posted by Ryuu:

Any specific questions? :)

I wish. Things just gradually went haywire. I guess my biggest problem was running out of planks, in spite of all that crate-smashing. But I really felt like I was only using them as absolutely needed.

[Ryuu]

I rarely run out of planks and fuel. I disassemble boxes using (in this order) saw, axe; because it seems to me saws gets more planks on average out of one box.
For furnaces i use in this order: rotten wood, coal, planks; except when i plan to camp in this building for quite a while, like sleeping to get rid of worst insanities, then i use coal.
Everything that can be repaired with hammer i use hammer, because i'll need repair kits for other things that can't be repaired otherwise.
Also in first zones i try to not spend lock-picks and crowbars, at least not for inner doors.

And don't forget, you don't need to turn on generator and furnace in every building. Just closing all doors and windows should be enough for characters to keep about 1/3 of warmth if they have at least an average jacket.

And use their skills extensively and to your playstyle. If you run out of planks often - use Olaf.

[[__h.stickeye_]]

First thing I do after Zone 2 is find a good building with a bed in it and set it up as my base. Get the furnace going and fuel the generator. You should never use resources in first two Zones. I also never sleep in Zone 1, but will sleep in Zone 2. By Zone 3, make sure you have at least 4 med kits. If not, start again or just keep playing to get achievements/unlocks.

I didnt even attempt to try and finish the game until I knew every 'exit scenario' as this will majorly affect how you plan a Zone.

Otherwise keep at it, its actually a very simple and easy game once you are more familiar with the mechanics and exit scenarios.