Category: survival horror

Here’s What You Missed This Week – Survivor Incognito Recap

A look back at the survival chaos from this week on Survivor Incognito: from haunted seas and freezing wilderness to dino disasters and exploding oaks.

It’s been a week full of questionable decisions, close calls, and new beginnings here at Survivor Incognito. In case you missed any of the madness, here’s your survival cheat sheet!

🌊 Tuesday – Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Five

The search for one stubborn fish continued, along with a steady descent into darkness and dread.

🐇 Wednesday – Customloper Diaries Day Three

Charcoal maps, rabbit stew, and a sudden storm — because survival in The Long Dark is never boring.

🗺️ Wednesday – Behind the Blog: ARK Map Page Expansion

A behind-the-scenes update! I’m working on expanding the ARK Survival Evolved map page to cover all Switch maps. All the regions, all the doom.

🏹 Thursday – Sneak, Snipe, Repeat: Skyrim Survival – Day Ten

Vampires, arrows, and highly questionable footwear choices. My Argonian had quite the day.

🐜 Friday – The Backyard Trials: Grounded Permadeath – Day Three

The lasers were fixed, the oak tree exploded (as it does), and the backyard remains terrifying.

🦖 Saturday – ARK: Aberration – Day One Diary

Punching trees, hallucinating plants, and being reminded why Aberration is not the friendliest place to spawn.

What’s Next?

More chaos, more permadeath, and maybe even a few victories (no promises). Stay tuned!

0

Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Five

The search for one stubborn fish continues. Instead, I find a mutant flounder, a handkerchief inside a fish, and a shady stranger with a business proposition. Also, I upgrade my boat’s engine, because speed might save my life.

Missed the previous day? Find it here: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Four

The Elusive Fish and the Flounder of Nightmares

I began Day 5, once again hoping to finally catch this Black Grouper that seems more myth than fish at this point. With desperate optimism, I set out, casting my line into the nearest fishing spot. The sea, as always, had other plans.

First bite?
A Cyclopean Flounder.

It stared back at me with its single eye and enough teeth to make a dentist weep. Not the fish I was after, but a catch nonetheless.

I kept fishing, still determined. A Gulf Flounder followed, then a Stingray, and finally a lone Cod. Still no sign of the Grouper. As if the ocean wanted to taunt me further, I spotted another message bobbing in the waves.

Another Message, Another Mystery

I fished up the bottle and stashed the message, adding one more note to my growing collection of cryptic correspondence. Given how last night played out, I didn’t want to risk another late return. I steered back toward Greater Marrow and docked at 6:24 PM — safely ahead of nightfall this time.

The Handkerchief Surprise

The Fishmonger, completely unfazed by the mutant flounder, carved it open with all the care of a man slicing a ham sandwich. Inside?
A delicately patterned handkerchief.

Because of course there’s a handkerchief inside the cyclopean mutant.

He handed it over without a second thought. Not sure why I need a bloodstained fish hanky, but I suspect someone on Lesser Marrow might know. Before I could make inquiries, however, my day took a turn.

The Stranger on the Dock

As I sat in my boat, a man appeared at the dock. He didn’t step closer, just stood watching.

He knew I had spoken with the Fishmonger.

Creepy.

He offered to examine the handkerchief… but only if I met him at Blackstone Isle. South of Greater Marrow. He mentioned a “business proposition.” That always ends well.

Speed Upgrade: Because Running May Soon Be Required

Before ending the day, I stopped by the Shipwright. She handed me a book titled “Correct Engine Operation.” Subtle.

I also installed an Improved Outboard Engine, moving my old engine into storage. If I’m about to get involved in someone’s “business proposition,” having more speed felt like a solid investment.

With that done, I called it a night — and will decide tomorrow if a trip to Blackstone Isle is brave or just plain stupid.

Daily Summary

  • Fish Caught: 1 Cyclopean Flounder, 1 Gulf Flounder, 1 Stingray, 1 Cod
  • Madness Strikes: Still just one
  • Damage Taken: None
  • New Item Obtained: Delicately Patterned Handkerchief
  • Business Propositions Recieved: 1 (Blackstone Isle invitation)

If you’d like to know more, please check out: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival

For information on the rules, please check out: Dark Waters: Dredge Permadeath Rules & Survival Guide

1

Here’s What You Missed This Week – Survivor Incognito Recap

It’s been another action-packed week of survival, chaos, and questionable decisions over at Survivor Incognito. If you’ve been busy wrestling giant crabs, flipping trucks, or dodging ghost fish, here’s your chance to catch up!

🌨️ Monday – Why I Made SnowRunner Permadeath

I broke down the logic (or madness?) behind turning SnowRunner into a permadeath challenge. Because nothing says “relaxing drive” like knowing one bad flip could end it all. [Read More Here]

🌊 Tuesday – Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Four

The sea giveth, the sea taketh away… and sometimes it just giveth more terror. Day Four of my Dredge permadeath series saw the madness meter creeping ever higher. [Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Four]

🐺 Wednesday – The Cold Chronicles – Day Seven

Another day, another frostbite risk. My Voyageur survivor braved the cold and the chaos as we inch further into this brutal Long Dark journey. [The Cold Chronicles Day Seven: A Voyageur’s Tale of The Long Dark]

🏹 Thursday – Sneak, Snipe, Repeat – Day Nine

The Argonian archer continued slinking through Skyrim, proving that stealth is great—right up until it isn’t. Day Nine brought more dragons, more necromancy, and more “how did that go so wrong?” moments. [Sneak, Snipe, Repeat: Skyrim Survival Day Nine]

🐜 Friday – Grounded: Day Two

The backyard is still terrifying. Day Two brought more bugs, more base-building, and more moments of me asking why I ever thought permadeath was a good idea here. [The Backyard Trials: Grounded Permadeath – Day Two]

🦖 Saturday – Day One Diaries of ARK: Survival Evolved Announced

Big news! I announced the upcoming Day One Diaries for ARK: Survival Evolved. Expect dinos, disasters, and probably a lot of running for my life. [Get the details here]

0

Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Four

Fishing frustrations, elusive groupers, a shiny new rod upgrade, and a very foggy late-night encounter with a suspicious rock. Day 4 of the Dredge permadeath run tests both my patience and my sanity.

Missed day three? Find it here: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Three

The Great Grouper Hunt (That Wasn’t)

The morning plan was simple: head out early, catch fish, finally land that mysterious Black Grouper, and pretend I’m not on the verge of bankruptcy. But the sea, as always, had other plans.

I head straight out and find several fishing spots—most of which give me the “you need better equipment” message. Apparently, my starter rod wasn’t cutting it. Still, I manage to pull up 7 blue mackerel and a lone grey eel. Not exactly the haul I was hoping for, but at least the cooler wasn’t empty.

Somewhere along the way, my studies in Sustainable Fishing pay off: book finished, and now I have a 10% chance of not reducing fish stocks every time I catch something with a rod. You’d think that would make me feel better about the environment. It mostly makes me feel better about my wallet.

By 4:36 PM, I pull back into Greater Marrow, snagging one last mackerel on the way in. Still no sign of a Grouper, though I’m starting to question whether they’re actually real or just a fishmonger fever dream.

After selling my haul, I decide it’s time for some serious gear. I visit the Shipwright, sell off my old Simple Skimmer, and upgrade to a shiny new Weighted Line. The installation takes 3 hours, which means by the time I’m ready to head out again, it’s already 7:39 PM.

Unionised Fish and Fog – And Maybe Rocks?

Determined (or possibly just stubborn), I head back out into the night. With my new line, surely the elusive Grouper will finally show itself.

Spoiler: it does not.

Between 7:39 PM and 2:20 AM, I catch absolutely nothing. It’s like the fish all formed a union and declared tonight a strike. The only thing I catch is frustration.

With the fog rolling in thick, visibility drops to near zero. I briefly spot some shiny things off in the distance—potential treasure, or more likely, a quick route to a Madness Strike. I wisely decide not to push my luck.

And then there was the rock.
At one point, something comes into view near the edge of my light. It had that familiar red tinge that usually means my panicked brain is starting to see things that aren’t there. But as I moved closer and got it fully under the light, the red vanished and it looked completely normal.

So was it real?
Probably.
Maybe.
Hopefully.

For the sake of my Madness Strike counter, I’m calling it real. But let’s just say the boat was very carefully steered around it, just in case.

I pull into dock and call it a night. Day 4 closes with no Grouper, a slightly better rod, one near-debate with my own sanity, and a growing suspicion that the fish are mocking me.

Daily Summary

  • Fish Caught: 7 Blue Mackerel, 1 Grey Eel
  • Madness Strikes: Still just one
  • Damage Taken: None (rock judged real – no collision)

If you’d like to know more, please check out: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival

For more information on the rules, please check out: Dark Waters: Dredge Permadeath Rules & Survival Guide

2

🧭 Weekly Recap – Survive, Sleep, Repeat

Catch up on the latest survival stories from Survivor Incognito, including permadeath tips, The Long Dark’s Customloper progress, Skyrim Survival struggles, and our chaotic first steps in Grounded. Your weekly roundup of cozy chaos and portable panic is here!

Monday:

💀 How I Handle Permadeath (And Still Sleep at Night)
I laid out my personal rules for permadeath, how I cope when a character dies a stupid death (usually of my own doing), and why it somehow keeps me coming back for more. Survival tip: Sleep helps. So does sarcasm.

Read it here: How I Handle Permadeath (and Still Sleep at Night)

Tuesday

📜 Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Three
We went further out to sea, saw things we probably shouldn’t have, and learned that fish aren’t the only things lurking in the dark. Spoiler: sanity is overrated.

Read it here: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Three

Wednesday

🏔 Customloper – Day Two
Mountain Town continues to be less “cosy alpine retreat” and more “conveniently located death trap.” At least we are still in one piece. Mostly.

Read it here: Customloper Diaries Day Two: Blizzards, Boots, and Baseball Cap Confusion

Thursday

🗡 Skyrim Survival – Day Eight
Frostbite, bandits, and the general annoyance of being overencumbered after picking up one too many cabbages. Classic Skyrim survival energy.

Read it here: Sneak, Snipe, Repeat Day Eight

Friday:

🏡 Grounded – Day One
Honey, I Shrunk the Panic. First day in the backyard brought bugs, dehydration, and a steep learning curve. That aphid had it coming.

Read it here: The Backyard Trials: Grounded Day One – Honey, I Lost Myself in the Backyard

Coming next week:

🧊 More Long Dark, more Dark Waters, more Skyrim, and a deeper dive into the backyard horrors of Grounded. If we’re lucky, there may even be fireflies. If not, probably just death by thirst.

I’ll also hopefully have the Day One Diary for Don’t Starve up. And will explain the the rules for Snowrunner Survival. But these are both hopefully as I’m currently under the weather at the time of this going up. Thank goodness for being able to schedule posts though.

0

Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Three

Debt cleared, upgrades unlocked, and still no Black Grouper in sight. Day 3 of my Dredge permadeath run brings ship upgrades, mysterious messages in bottles, and the creeping fog of midnight.

Missed the previous day? Read it here: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Two

The Package Delivery, Finally

After two days of stumbling around like I had no idea where I was going (because I didn’t), I finally discovered that my map exists. You know, the thing that tells you where stuff is? Turns out that helps.

With my newfound cartographic skills, I double-checked that Little Marrow hadn’t mysteriously drifted off into the abyss overnight. Satisfied, I set sail and arrived at 8:14 AM.

The dockworker greeted me like a man who’d been waiting a while for this delivery. He took the package (still no idea what was in it — apparently it was “fresh,” which feels mildly concerning) and handed over $25. That nearly covered my hull repair bill from last night’s adventures, so I’ll take the win.

He also handed me a book on sustainable fishing — whether that’s foreshadowing or just helpful remains to be seen. Oh, and I got the usual “stop by for a chat” offer. I might actually take him up on that. Maybe he’ll tell me what was in that package.

Trinkets & Treasures

While I was in the area, I stopped by the Trader on Little Marrow. He seems keen to buy any “special trinkets” I find lying around the sea. Given the kinds of things washing up out here, I’m not sure if that’s entrepreneurial or deeply suspicious.

The Hunt for the Elusive Black Grouper

With business handled, I headed back out and activated my newly acquired fishing book, because reading on the job is apparently acceptable when you’re on a boat. At 11:53 AM, I pulled up a respectable haul of 5 cod. Not bad.

I then went searching for another fishing spot, hoping to finally locate a Black Grouper for the Fishmonger’s special order. Along the way, I spotted something floating — a message in a bottle. Curiosity overruled caution, as usual.

Inside was… well, let’s just say people out here write very dramatic love letters. But nothing that helps me find a Black Grouper.

I fished up 3 blue mackerel instead, then headed back to Greater Marrow to sell my catch. Docked safely at 4:35 PM.

Debt-Free and Dry Dock Dreams

After offloading my haul at the Fishmonger, the Mayor popped up like a bad jump scare. Good news though:

The Dry Dock is now open for business.

The Fishmonger’s facilities have been improved.

And most importantly: my debt is officially cleared.


Feels good not to owe anyone anything — though in this town, I’m sure they’ll find new ways to get my money.

I went to check out the Dry Dock, where the Shipwright explained I can now upgrade my vessel — provided I bring her the required materials. These materials are mostly found at shipwrecks, which sounds safe and completely unproblematic.

One Last Attempt Before Madness (Literally)

With the day slipping away, I made one last push to find this cursed Black Grouper. Night fell. Still no luck.

Since I was out, I decided to install a cracked bulb upgrade at the Shipwright, which somehow brought the time to 9:50 PM.

And because I enjoy dancing with doom, I made one final sweep after midnight. The fog rolled in right on cue. At that point, my sense of self-preservation kicked in and I hightailed it back to Greater Marrow to live another day.

Daily Summary

  • Fish Caught: 5 Cod, 3 Blue Mackerel
  • Debt Remaining: None (Debt cleared)
  • Madness Strikes: Still just one
  • Damage Taken: None
  • Suspicious Package Count: One (Delivered)
  • Upgrades Unlocked: Dry Dock operational, Shipwright expansion, Fishmonger improvements
  • Notable Finds: Message in a bottle (Read)

If you’d like to know more, please check out: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival

For information on the rules, please check out: Dark Waters: Dredge Permadeath Rules & Survival Guide

2

Here’s What’s Coming This Week – June 16 to 22

From fishing mishaps to Skyrim sniping and a custom cold-weather panic run, here’s what’s planned this week on Survivor Incognito.

The Week Ahead

The schedule is packed — except for Monday, which is still being negotiated with the universe. But the rest of the week? Solid chaos incoming:

❓ Monday – ???
Let’s call it… a mystery. Maybe a new Survivor’s Short? Maybe I finally win a wolf fight? Maybe I stare at a snow shelter and question my life choices. Stay tuned.

🌊 Tuesday – Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Three
Debt cleared, upgrades unlocked, and still no idea what’s lurking beneath the boat. Let’s fish. Let’s panic.

❄ Wednesday – Customloper Diaries Day 2: Blizzards, Boots, and Baseball Cap Confusion
Day 2 of my Customloper survival in The Long Dark. Mild weather? Never heard of her.

🗡 Thursday – Sneak, Snipe, Repeat: Skyrim Survival – Day Eight
Skyrim continues. The Argonian’s sneak streak lives on, unless someone spots him — in which case, panic magic it is.

🪓 Friday – The Backyard Trials: Grounded Day One – Honey, I Lost Myself in the Backyard
It’s tiny, it’s deadly, and I’ve already lost my bearings. Welcome to Grounded permadeath.

More Survival Incoming

There’s more to come, including mystery Mondays, drowned diaries, and maybe a few unexpected wolves. Stick around — the chaos is scheduled.

0

Here’s What You Missed This Week – Survival Recap


From rabbits with better reflexes than me to undead sniper ambushes, here’s the full recap of what went live this week on Survivor Incognito.

The Week in Review

Another week, another round of chaos, permadeath, and poor life choices in the name of survival. Let’s take a look at what went live:

🐇 Monday: Survivor’s Shorts – The Rabbit Which Got Up and Left
Yes, I stunned a rabbit. No, I didn’t catch it. Yes, it got up, looked me dead in the eyes, and walked away like it had somewhere better to be.

Survivor’s Shorts: The Rabbit Got Up and Left Like I Wasn’t Even Worth It

🌊 Tuesday: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Two
The paranoia sets in. Fish with extra eyes, fog with extra vibes, and a to-do list that mostly reads “don’t die.” Just another day on the water.

Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Two

❄ Wednesday: The Cold Chronicles – Day Six
It’s cold. It’s bleak. There are wolves. So naturally, I went exploring. Because that’s never gone wrong before.

The Cold Chronicles Day Six: A Voyageur’s Tale of The Long Dark

🗡 Thursday: Skyrim Survival – Day Seven
Sneak, snipe, and regret. The Argonian continues the journey through frost, bandits, and the occasional vampire attack.

Sneak, Snipe, Repeat: Skyrim Survival Day Seven

🧟 Friday: Day One Diary – Zombie Army Trilogy
The zombies were waiting. The rifle jammed (emotionally, not mechanically). Welcome to permadeath mode, where the first day might also be the last.

Survivor Incognito: Zombie Army Trilogy – Day One Diary

Stay Frosty (and maybe carry a torch)

More survival tales are just around the corner. Thanks for reading, and remember — if something looks too quiet, it’s probably a wolf.

0

It’s Friday the 13th – Zombie Army Trilogy Day One Diary Is Now Live

What better day to fight Nazi zombies than Friday the 13th?

The first entry in my Zombie Army Trilogy experience is now live on the blog. I step into the boots of Hermann Wolf, load into “The Berlin Horror,” and quickly learn that ammo is limited, aim is important, and zombies don’t like staying dead.

Expect:

● Occult seals

● Suicidal zombies

● A lot of shotgun usage

● And the slow decline of my confidence in Marksman difficulty


All of that — and more — in Zombie Army Trilogy: Day One Diary.
Read it now… if you dare.

🧟‍♂️
🔗 Day One Diary – Zombie Army Trilogy

Grounded: The Backyard Trials starts next week

0

Survivor Incognito: Zombie Army Trilogy – Day One Diary

The dead walk as Operation Z begins. My first steps into Zombie Army Trilogy involve headshots, missed shots, occult seals, suicidal zombies, and plenty of shotgun diplomacy. A new Day One Diary begins.

Welcome to Berlin. It’s… worse than usual.

Character: Hermann Wolf
Difficulty: Marksman
Enemy Setup: Suitable for solo play
Chapter: The Berlin Horror — Village of the Dead

I load in and am immediately greeted with a very angry Hitler standing in front of a map. His mood is about as good as you’d expect from someone losing a war. After shooting one of his own soldiers in cold blood, he calmly orders the others to initiate Plan Z.

Spoiler: Plan Z involves zombies. Lots of zombies.

With the undead now walking the earth, I stick with the default loadout for the mission and head out. The early zombies are pretty easy to deal with — basic headshots handle most of them — but the game is very quick to teach me a lesson: shoot for the head or they get back up. One particular zombie helpfully demonstrates this right in front of me. Noted.

My Aim Needs Some Work

I reach the village where an occult seal blocks my path forward. Naturally, the only way to break it is to wipe out every zombie in the area. Easy enough in theory — if I could actually hit all my headshots. Apparently, Marksman difficulty still expects me to be able to aim. This might be a problem.

Shotgun Solutions

Once I break through the seal, I spot what I assume is the safe room — only to find that zombies have already moved in. The housewarming party is very much still in progress.

Plan B: Shotgun. I head upstairs, camp at the top of the staircase, and turn the whole thing into a makeshift meat grinder. Zombies may be many things, but smart isn’t one of them. They obligingly walk straight into a wall of buckshot.

Of course, this strategy does have a minor flaw: limited shotgun ammo. Once I’m reasonably confident the room has stopped moving, I make a run for the actual safe room.

Just One More Room…

With some momentum, I decide to press on to the next safe room.

Early on, I manage to score a satisfying two-for-one kill with my sniper rifle — a brief moment where I start to feel almost competent. Naturally, that confidence doesn’t last: a zombie manages to sneak up behind me and reminds me why I shouldn’t get cocky.

I soon find another occult seal and am told to investigate a mysterious skull. Since nothing good ever comes from mysterious occult skulls, I lay down some trip wires before interacting with it. My instincts prove correct: I’m immediately thrown into a siege.

Suicidal Tendencies

Midway through the siege, I meet a new type of zombie: suicidal ones, complete with grenades strapped to them as they charge at me screaming. Lovely.

Fortunately, I have grenades of my own. No matter how many I take out, more keep arriving. Eventually, the wave dies down and I make a break for the second safe room — but not before one last zombie manages to slip past my shot, forcing a bit of panicked dodging. More suicidal zombies show up as well. I get the feeling this won’t be the last time I see them.

With the coast finally clear, I dive into the second safe room and slam the door shut. That’s enough zombie nonsense for one day.

Day One Summary

✅ Two safe rooms reached

✅ First siege survived

✅ New enemy type met (suicidal zombies)

✅ Sniper skills: mixed

✅ Shotgun skills: heavily relied upon

If you enjoyed this, please check out my other Day One Diaries | Survival Game Playthroughs & First-Day Survival Challenges

2

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑