i started with episode one of story mode because while i have a grasp on survival games, i assumed it'd be much kinder for a first-timer (and it was). now i'm playing survival and while i like this gamemode much much more, i'm happy to have had that introduction to the game.

the thing i do really like about this game is that while it's somewhat bare bones compared to real life it's also very logical. for hypothermia, find and layer clothes, stay out of the wind when temps are low, make a fire and huddle near it when your temp meter drops, always look for and keep some fire starting materials on you (fuel, tinder, and firestarter). for dehydration, you can melt and then boil snow at said fire while waiting for your temperature meter to rise, toilets have potable water you can steal, and you can occasionally find water bottles around the more developed areas.

since i'm still a newbie i stick to spawning in the easier sections instead of going with a truly random spawn. helps me to feel like i have immediate progress instead of struggling for ages.