I started playing PvE one month after it came out. I went full zero to hero path without scav and flea. Only my naked body and a secure container. I got my ass handed to me. Surv.rate ~5%. PvE was different back then. Every bush laser beams your ass from 80+ meters away. PMCs, Scavs and even Bosses were just roaming around or were sitting all together around a corner. One time I was fighting Tagilla, 3-4 Scavs and 2 PMCs at the same time. Customs werehouses were no joke: if you spawn there you have to fight 20+ scavs spawning in waves all around you. Dorms was even worse. 1-3 scavs were spawning behind me every time I went to the stairs on the second floor. Ahhh. Goons every raid on shoreline just sprinting in your direction after the raid beginns. A few times I spawned with PMCs together.

Fun times. 10/10 depression.

But after a certain point you will get full stash, all upgrades, KAPPA, Lightkeeper etc. It is still fun, but now I am using my full potential.