Category: Permadeath Runs

Unprepared: An Interloper Survival Diary in The Long Dark Log #1 – Day 1


Unprepared – Log 1: Day 1 (Hushed River Valley)

Difficulty: Interloper

Run Time: 4 hours

Series:

Unprepared – An Interloper Survival Diary

“Pro Interloper players call this a ‘great spawn’. I lasted four hours.”

I spawn in Hushed River Valley, right next to a waterfall, and immediately get the sense that this region exists
to test whether you actually deserve to keep playing.

I’ve been here before. I know there’s a moose satchel on this map.
I also know that familiarity doesn’t equal preparedness, and Interloper is very keen to prove that point.

Waterfall Spawn & Immediate Delusion

Part of me is convinced there’s a survival bow nearby. Another part of me is sure I can get past a scrub bush I spotted.
Neither belief survives contact with reality.

I stare at the scrub bush for longer than I care to admit, have no idea how to pass it,
and eventually give up. Confidence evaporates quickly out here.

Knowledge That Helps Nobody

I know Mountain Town is nearby. I know there’s a man-made snow shelter somewhere in this region.
None of this helps when you’re cold, under-equipped, and still arguing with terrain.

Ptarmigans & The Great Rock Tragedy

I come across some ptarmigans and decide to hunt.

  • Stun one
  • Eventually start a fire
  • Cook something warm

I throw my rock and miss by an impressive margin.
Worse, I’ve now lost my only stone.

Hunting attempt: failed.
Inventory: actively worse.

The Torch Plan (That Never Happens)

I collect sticks with purpose. I have a plan:

  • Start a fire
  • Pull torches
  • Use fire to keep wolves honest

The problem is simple.

I have no way to start a fire. No matches. No striker.
I forgot the key Interloper detail where you spawn with absolutely nothing.

Smoke, Wolves, and Accidental Skill

I spot smoke drifting from the direction of the moose satchel location.
It feels less like a hint and more like mockery.

A wolf appears. I panic. I improvise. I end up mountain goating away from it.
Somehow, it works.

I survive that encounter, which honestly feels like a mistake the game will correct later.

Field Footage

This footage shows the full run, ending exactly where it ended for me.
First ever Interloper attempt. No practice runs. No warm-up.

The log ends with confirmation of what this was:
my first attempt on Interloper, lasting four hours in Hushed River Valley.

Darkness, Blizzard, Wolf

Night rolls in. A blizzard follows.
I make one last push to find shelter or an exit.

I don’t find either.

A wolf does.

Four hours in, the run ends.

Day 1 Takeaways

  • Four hours in Hushed River Valley is not nothing.
  • One rock is not a plan.
  • A fire plan without ignition is fiction.
  • Smoke in the distance can feel personal.
  • Mountain goating worked once. I will abuse that lesson.

I didn’t survive the day.
But I survived long enough to understand the problem.

Next attempt, I come in less blind.

Continue the journey:

Unprepared – Series Hub
 |
Unprepared – Log 2

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Super Mario 64 Randomizer – Log 3: Rainbow Ride in the Basement

Platform: Steam Deck
Settings: Vanilla Mario & Music — chaos supplied separately.
“Somewhere between the mountain slide and the basement sky, I realised this randomizer doesn’t believe in architecture either.”

With only the 100 Coin Star left in Tall, Tall Mountain, I decided it was time to finally clear my first course. The plan was simple: grab coins, stay alive, avoid plummeting off the cliff. Naturally, the first attempt ended in a slide-related tragedy. The second try, however, was a success — first course officially cleared.

Feeling confident, I ventured down to the basement to see what new horrors awaited. A friendly Toad handed over a star without asking for anything in return — a rare act of generosity in this twisted castle.

Then came the real surprise: the hole that should have led to the Vanish Cap switch instead opened into Rainbow Ride. Because apparently, gravity is optional now. Despite a few near misses (and several camera-induced heart attacks), I managed to grab three stars before deciding I’d pushed my luck enough for one day.

Watch Log 3 Gameplay

Progress Log

  • Total Stars: 18
  • Stars Remaining: 102
  • Lives: 13
Continue the chaos:
Log 2 |
Log 4
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🩸 Derailed & Doomed: A Choo Choo Charles Survival Diary Log 6: Three Eggs and a Funeral (Probably)

“Two eggs to go. One murderous locomotive. And a sermon that really didn’t age well.”


🎥 Watch Log 6: Three Eggs and a Funeral (Probably)

Faith, Paint, and Poorly Sighted Cultists

With two eggs remaining, I decide I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Time to face destiny — or at least, sprint toward it screaming.

The first target: the mine in the middle of the island. On the way, I stumble upon a church, complete with a sermon that sounds more like a cult recruitment speech than holy scripture. I also find a can of black paint — clearly divine intervention — so I treat my train to a new coat before heading inside the mine.

The cultists here… well, let’s just say the masks are doing more harm than good. One could’ve had a clean shot on me, but apparently, I was invisible. What begins as a stealth mission quickly devolves into “grab the egg and run.” I sprint out, bullets whizzing past, praying my train hasn’t wandered off without me. Once the shooting stops, I open the map, mark my train, and plan my route to the final mine.

The Bug Spray Revelation

Two mines down, two eggs in hand, one to go — and Charles knows it. His whistle cuts through the air as I make my way toward the last mine. This time, though, I’m prepared.

I’ve learned that the bug spray isn’t just for keeping his ugly mug at bay; it deals slow, steady chip damage if used sparingly. It’s not glamorous, but it’s something. I’ll need to remember this for our inevitable final showdown.

After a short skirmish, Charles retreats. I let him go — we’ll finish this soon enough.

The Final Egg

The southern mine awaits. Inside, I get another chance to show off my lockpicking skills — not that anyone’s watching. For a brief, glorious moment, I think the place might actually be abandoned.

Then I hear the whistling.

So, back to the classic strategy: Run. Grab. Run again. I burst out of the mine clutching the last egg, a cultist hot on my heels. Fortunately for me (and unfortunately for him), I reverse my train right over him. Efficient, if a little messy.

The three eggs are mine. One final stop remains — the shrine, the signal, the point of no return. Either I end Charles… or he ends me.

Next Stop: The Final Fight

I take one last look at the map. Every track, every encounter, every scrap of metal has led to this. The next log will be the last — one way or another.

It’s time to finish this.

Continue the journey:
Previous Log (Log 5) |
Final Log
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🩸 Derailed & Doomed: A Choo Choo Charles Survival Diary Log 4: Pickles, Papers, and Payback

Platform: Steam Deck |

Apex Predator Rule: Three strikes to start. Only Charles can take them.
Each egg restores one — never more than three total.

“I knew I shouldn’t have trusted the lady obsessed with pickles. Or the one hunting Slender Man. But hey—scrap is scrap.”

🎥 Survivor’s Reel: Log 4 – Pickles, Papers, and Payback (No Commentary)

The Pickle Lady Cometh

My first stop was a house belonging to someone I can only describe as the Pickle Lady. According to her, there’s “one last jar of pickles” hidden deep in her pickle cave. She wanted me to retrieve it, and honestly, the promise of scrap was enough for me to overlook how absolutely unhinged she seemed.

Charles, mercifully, must have agreed—because he didn’t interrupt this one. Maybe even he thought, “Yeah, she’s crazy,” and decided to give me a pass. Pickles retrieved, reward collected, and my sanity mostly intact.

The Slender Situation

Next up was Sasha, who casually informed me that the Slender Man was also apparently hanging around the island. She’d already collected eight pages and wanted me to grab the next set. Logical, right? Because clearly, one supernatural monster just isn’t enough.

Unfortunately, the universe had other plans. No sooner had I finished talking to her than that familiar whistle pierced the air. Charles. I bolted for my train, but he was faster. The beast blindsided me and shredded my health bar like paper. Charles earns his first win. Two chances left.

Still annoyed—and slightly traumatized—I decided to humor Sasha anyway. I managed to grab three pages before some unseen Slender-like presence told me to “go away.” Quest abandoned. Sanity preserved.

Bridge Over Terrifying Waters

After a quick recovery, I shifted gears and tracked down Santiago’s journal. Delivered it safely—though apparently, I could’ve snooped inside first. Missed opportunities, I guess. My next stop was Eugene’s son, who still believes his father is alive and well on the mainland. I didn’t have the heart to correct him.

He handed me a set of explosives and outlined the island’s master plan: lure Charles onto a wooden bridge, blow it sky-high, and end this nightmare once and for all. It’s a bold plan. Questionable, sure—but bold. I now have the temple key for when it’s time to place the eggs and start the final battle.

Preparing for Round Two

As the day closed, I parked the train near a resident’s home rumored to hold another weapon. After my last run-in with Charles, I’m more than ready to upgrade my firepower. Whether or not I get a moment’s peace to actually do it—that’s another story.

For now, I’ve survived long enough to plan my next move. But I can’t shake the feeling that Charles is circling again, waiting for round two.

Continue the journey:
Log 3: Explosions and Evasion |
Log 5 (Coming Soon)
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Submerged: A Subnautica Survival Diary – Day 1: The Peeper in the Pod

Submerged: A Subnautica Survival Diary – Day 1

Difficulty: Survival Mode (Steam Deck Edition)

Welcome to 4546B

I wake to alarms, a smoking console, and one extremely calm Peeper hovering in the middle of my lifepod like it pays rent. Fire out, situation stable, roommate secured. I catch it. I cook it. Breakfast of champions.

The PDA boots into Emergency Mode with the sort of cheerful corporate tone that suggests HR wrote it. Regardless, it’s my lifeline now, so I listen.

First Steps (and First Swims)

Before diving, I pin the essentials:

  • O₂ Tank — lungs are optional, but preferred.
  • Fins — I’d rather swim fast than panic slowly.

A few quick foraging runs later and I’ve got both crafted, plus a Repair Tool and a Scanner. The ocean is being cooperative… for the moment.

Right on cue, the radio chirps in with an update: rescue ETA 9… 9… 9… 9… 9 hours. So, roughly eleven and a half years. Excellent. I’ll, uh, keep busy.

Nightfall, Notes, and New Blueprints

Scanner built, I point it at everything that moves (and several things that don’t). The shallows hum with life — coral pulsing softly beneath me, strange silhouettes drifting just beyond visibility. It’s beautiful in a way that feels like a warning.

Darkness drops quickly, and scanning in pitch black is just guessing with extra beeps, so I pin a Torch for tomorrow.

At first light I spot Seaglide fragments. One scan later and the blueprint unlocks. New goal: build it before the day ends — because slow swimming is a lifestyle choice I refuse to adopt.

Then: a ping from Lifepod 3. Marker acquired. I’ll head there once the Seaglide is humming.

Crash Fish Chaos

While hunting materials, I discover two facts in rapid succession: Crash Fish hate visitors, and they express this by exploding in your face. Two back-to-back detonations later, my health bar looks like a bad stock chart. I limp to the lifepod, patch up, and get back to work. Controlled recklessness: unlocked.

The Hunt for Copper

Finding copper is like looking for hope in a horror movie — technically present, rarely where you expect. I comb the shallows, finally crack the right limestone outcrop, and sprint-swim home to craft Copper Wire.

Moments later, the Seaglide is mine. Sleek, fast, and probably not covered by warranty. I take it for a celebratory lap around the pod and call it a day. Tomorrow: Lifepod 3.

End of Day Reflections

The sun sinks below the horizon, painting the shallows gold and the deeper water black. My vitals are stable, the pod is repaired, and I’ve managed not to die — all major wins in my book. The ocean hums quietly around me, equal parts beautiful and unnerving. Somewhere out there, Lifepod 3 is waiting. Hopefully with snacks.

Watch the Chaos

🎥 Subnautica Survival – Day 1
See the full adventure — from surprise Peeper roommate to Seaglide success — on YouTube:

Continue the Journey

Day 1 (You Are Here) |
Day 2 – The Voyage to Lifepod 3 (Coming Soon)

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Seven Days to Survive – Day 3: Honey, Zombies, and Home Improvements

Difficulty: Default Survival
Optional Rules: Permadeath, one horde night per week
“If you ever find yourself cornered by two zombies in a stranger’s living room, just remember: honey is nature’s antibiotic. Who knew bee juice would keep me alive?”

The Fetch Quest of Doom

The morning began with me jogging toward the latest house that Trader Rekt wanted looted for supplies. From the outside, it looked quiet — shutters drawn, roof sagging slightly, just another abandoned suburban home. But this is 7 Days to Die, so I knew the interior would be less “suburban charm” and more “screaming corpses.”

Sure enough, as soon as I hit the flag at the back of the property and stepped inside, the soundscape turned into a zombie alarm clock. Two of them barreled toward me, cutting off my escape. I managed to fight my way out, but not without a parting gift: infection. Perfect.

After clearing the stragglers and pocketing the supplies, I searched my pack for antibiotics. Nothing. A return trip to Papaw Residence confirmed the same — unless you count decorative piles of junk and a near-useless jar of murky water. But buried in a chest was salvation: honey. Exactly the right cure for my low-level infection. Bee magic saves the day.

Medical Centre Run

I staggered back to Rekt’s, handed over the supplies, and chose skill books as my reward. Then I spent some coin on more honey, because clearly zombies see me as a chew toy. Another fetch quest? Why not. This one sent me toward what looked like a pop-up medical centre — white tarps, overturned stretchers, and the distinct impression that the last patients didn’t leave voluntarily.

The zombies inside were fewer and slower, which suited my still-throbbing wounds. Looting the shelves, I stumbled on something that felt like Christmas morning: a cooking grill. Finally, the days of choking down charred snake meat are behind me. Now I can prepare food that doesn’t taste like it came out of a campfire accident.

I cleared the building, snagged the supplies, and returned to Rekt. My reward? Charred meat. Honestly, I think the man is trolling me. “Here’s some food, survivor.” Yes, Rekt, I literally just looted the thing that makes your reward obsolete. Thanks for nothing, champ.

Dew Collector Dreams

Back at Papaw, I started eyeing my supplies. Between yesterday’s scavenging and today’s haul, I realised I was close to crafting a Dew Collector. After a bit more rummaging and resource-gathering, the parts came together. I placed the contraption outside, whispered a hopeful prayer to the condensation gods, and waited.

After five minutes of staring at a metal bucket with mesh, I admitted that Dew Collectors are not exciting to watch in real time. With thirst still an issue, I decided to channel my boredom into base-building. The first layer of the horde base is now fully cobblestone. The second layer is patchwork, half cobble, half wood. The third layer? Still dreams and dust. At least I can say progress is being made, even if it looks more like a construction site than a fortress.

Thirst, the Silent Killer

The Dew Collector is great in theory, but water production is glacial. By mid-afternoon I was dehydrated again — stumbling around with blurry vision like I’d been on a pub crawl with the undead. Tomorrow, water is priority number one. Either the trader sells me a stash, or I’m boiling every murky puddle I find.

Still, the looming problem isn’t just thirst. It’s the horde night clock. Day 4 is practically here, and my base is still an empty shell. If I don’t switch gears soon, the zombies will be less “contained threat” and more “unwanted guests knocking down my half-finished walls.” Tomorrow, the hammer and cobblestone get priority — fetch quests can wait.

Continue the Journey

Day 2 | Day 3 (You Are Here) | Day 4 (Coming Soon)

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SnowRunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries – Driver Log Ten: Bridges, Bumps, and Broken Dreams

SnowRunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries – Driver Log 10: Bridges, Bumps, and Broken Dreams

Mode: Permagear Rules | Optional Features: Winch-assisted woodland detours

Back to the Dam

I start the day by taking Red back to the Smithville Dam garage to decide on my next move. Both of my current main objectives need wooden planks, and as far as I can tell, the only viable source is back in Black River. The plan: build the bridge first, then worry about the rest.

I hop into Frank for the job, only to be faced with the first challenge — actually getting him there. Instead of taking the standard road, I opt for a less-beaten path through the trees, using the winch liberally and clambering over rocks like a determined mountain goat in truck form. If Frank had feelings, I’d say he was trying to prove something.

Frank: The Reliable Workhorse

Once in Black River, I load up the planks and head back to Smithville Dam. Along the way, I can’t help but admire Frank’s handling — reliable, sturdy, and never letting you down. He’s the truck equivalent of that one friend who always brings snacks and never cancels plans.

I top him up at the fuel station as a precaution (he probably didn’t need it, but who doesn’t like a full tank?). Crossing the Dam, I briefly flash back to the Dam level in GoldenEye 64, half-expecting to see polygons of Soviet guards wandering about.

Bridge Complete

The delivery goes smoothly, and with the wooden planks in place, the bridge is now a reality. Objective one: done. Frank earns a well-deserved rest while I swap into Red for some post-bridge exploration.

Red’s Bouncy Adventure

Immediately, I’m reminded of the difference in handling: Frank sticks to the ground like he’s got magnetic tyres; Red prefers to bounce along it like an over-caffeinated pogo stick. Past the bridge, I find a promising-looking track and decide to follow it.

The path is a mix of mud, stones, and one dodgy river crossing that all but confirms Red will need a raised exhaust if such a thing exists. After wrestling through, I spot an upgrade ahead and let my hopes soar — could this be the elusive raised suspension for Frank I’ve been searching for? In my head, I’m already firing him up for a triumphant drive back to the garage.

Reality Check

It isn’t. Instead, it’s Engageable AWD for a White Star truck — a vehicle I don’t own. Still, at least it’s unlocked for the future. I follow the road and, somewhat anticlimactically, end up back on the other side of the bridge.

That’s where I call it for the day. Tomorrow, Red will keep exploring, and maybe — just maybe — I’ll finally complete The Essentials task.

Continue the Journey

Day 9 | Day 10 (You Are Here) | Day 11

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Snowrunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries – Driver Log Eight: Flips, Fuel, and a Double Rescue Mission

Red goes rogue in Smithville Dam, flipping twice while chasing a Watchtower. Frank clears a blocked road, performs a double rescue, secures an engine upgrade, then hauls fuel back to Black River to set up tomorrow’s delivery for “The Essentials.”

📜 Series Hub: SnowRunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries Main Hub

🛠 Rules: SnowRunner Permagear Rules

💡 Why Permagear Works: Read the reasoning behind the challenge

Missed Day Seven? Find it here.

🛣️ Crossing the Dam (and the Line)

With most of Black River mapped and missions cleared, I decide it’s time to see what Smithville Dam has to offer. Red’s fired up and we set “The Essentials” as the main task — one item in Smithville, the rest in Black River. Easy on paper. Reality had other plans.

🚧 First Roadblock: Literal Roadblock

After finding the Smithville garage, I immediately hit a blocked road needing Service Parts. Luckily, there’s a depot basically around the corner. I pencil that in for after I grab the nearby Watchtower.

🔄 Red Goes Rogue (Twice)

I point Red up the Watchtower track and—whoops—he flips onto his side. Full turtle. There’s only one truck for this kind of drama: Frank.

I transport Frank into Smithville, pick up the Service Parts, clear the roadblock, and roll out to rescue Red. Frank rights him like the dependable legend he is… and Red immediately repays the kindness by rolling over again. Cue rescue mission #2. Frank handles it without breaking a sweat.

🔍 Watchtower Found, Upgrade Secured

With Red back on his wheels (twice), we nab the Watchtower and ping a nearby upgrade: an engine that fits both Red and Scout. Whether it’s actually better is a question for the next garage visit — I’ll compare stats when we’re back under a roof.

⛽ Frank Hauls, Like a Pro

While Red takes a breather, Frank gets back to business. He grabs Fuel for “The Essentials,” hauls it over to Black River, and calls it a night — textbook veteran move.

📅 Tomorrow’s Mission

Fuel staged, Frank is ready to finish “The Essentials” delivery tomorrow. Red? He’s on probation until he proves he can stay upright for more than ten minutes.

Want more SnowRunner? Day 9 link coming soon.

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SnowRunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries – Driver Log Seven: Mud, Bridges, and Big Dreams

“Sometimes the smallest truck has the biggest heart. And sometimes, Red gets new shoes.”

📜 Series Hub: SnowRunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries Main Hub

🛠 Rules: SnowRunner Permagear Rules

💡 Why Permagear Works: Read the reasoning behind the challenge

Missed Day Six? Find it here.

🛣️ Exploring With Red (and Just a Little Jealousy)

With Pipe Dreams in the rear-view mirror, it’s a well-earned day off for Frank. Today? It’s all about Red. He’s got the boundless energy of a puppy on caffeine and the mud-crawling tenacity of… well, a Scout who’s tired of being second-best.

The target? The wooden bridge task. Along the way, I spot a trailer Red thinks he can handle. He can’t. But you’ve got to admire the ambition.

We reach the bridge and, of course, it needs wooden planks. Frank’s domain. But Red’s not done—he also picks up a SnowRunner throttle upgrade (one for himself and one for Scout). Naturally, Red gets the install. Scout remains benched.

🌊 Mud Wrestling and Watchtower Glory

Tempted to spoil Red with more upgrades, I decide to hold off. Then he earns them. Charging through deep mud and water, Red smashes through the terrain to grab another Watchtower like a tiny, determined hero.

Back to the garage we go—Red gets a roof rack for longer hauls and, most importantly, a tyre upgrade. That’s right: better grip, less slipping, and maximum mud-mashing potential. Watch out, Frank.

🪵 Frank Does What Frank Does Best

Now it’s Frank’s turn. Time to deliver those wooden planks and make that bridge a reality. He follows the same route Red scouted earlier, proving why he’s still the heavy-lifting king.

  • Bridge? Built.
  • Frank? Effective as ever.
  • Red? Flexing in the garage.
  • Scout? Still patiently waiting for relevance.

📍 Next Stop: Smithville Dam

Black River is slowly bending to our will, and tomorrow we head deeper into Michigan—straight into Smithville Dam. There will be mud. There will be breakdowns. But Red’s got new tyres, and morale is high.

🛞 Team Status Update

  • Red: Roof rack, throttle upgrade, fresh set of tyres. Officially a mud-slaying menace.
  • Frank: Old reliable. Still gets the job done. Probably feeling a little upstaged.
  • Scout: Collecting dust. One day, Scout. One day.

📸 Coming Soon

  • Red showing off the new tyres.
  • Watchtower victory shot.
  • Frank delivering planks like a pro.

Want more SnowRunner? Day 8 link coming soon.

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Snowrunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries – Driver Log Six

Frank earns his stripes. And then some.

📜 Series Hub: SnowRunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries Main Hub

🛠 Rules: SnowRunner Permagear Rules

💡 Why Permagear Works: Read the reasoning behind the challenge

Missed Day Five? Find it here.

🛠️ Pipe Dreams and Permadeath Nightmares

It’s Day 6, and I decide it’s time to tackle Pipe Dream—a task that demands the delivery of three items, one of which is a heavy fuel semi-trailer. That’s the heaviest thing I’ve hauled to date, and I’m not about to go in blind.

So, I hop into Red to scout the route. Unfortunately, coming down from the Watchtower, Red seems to channel Scout’s spirit. And by that, I mean he flips. Again. Thankfully, nothing too serious—just a bit of an involuntary nap on his side before getting back on track.

After giving the route a once-over, I park Red somewhere out of the way but within reach. Just in case.

🦾 Frank the Certified Beast

Next up, I jump into Frank and take him back to the garage to slap on the Saddle High. With that done, it’s off to retrieve the trailer.

Now, this is the moment Frank becomes “Certified Beast.”
On nothing but his starter wheels, AWD, and diff lock, he hauls that massive trailer from the fuel station to the factory without complaint. One minor reverse maneuver was all it took to get around a tricky bit—otherwise, he made it look easy.

🧱 Bricks, Beams, and Boulder Brawls

With the big job done, the rest felt like a cool-down lap. Bricks? Metal beams? No problem.

Except… Frank met his match today. And no, not in the form of water or mud—stones.
Big ones. The kind that wedge themselves under your bumper and whisper, “You’re not going anywhere, mate.”
More than once, I thought I was going to need Red to bail him out. But each time, it was just a matter of nudging past a rock or repositioning. Still, it’s clear: if I want to take Frank into deeper terrain—especially water—I need to raise his suspension and upgrade those tyres.

🔧 What’s Next?

With Pipe Dream in the rear-view mirror, I took a look at the map. Most remaining tasks are on other maps, but there’s still a wooden bridge in Black River that needs some attention.

That’s a job for tomorrow.

Today belongs to Frank.
He’s earned a break—and maybe a reward. Or at the very least, a long-overdue tyre upgrade.

Want more SnowRunner? Day 7 link coming soon.

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