Category: Survival Playthroughs

Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – The Final Days

In today’s entry of my Dredge permadeath run, I dredge up mysterious junk, mistake a deadly Angler for a friendly boat, earn my second Madness Strike, and finally sink myself by sailing straight into rocks. A fitting end for the S.S. Bad Decisions.

Missed the previous entry? Find it here: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Six

Day 7 in Dredge: The Key to My Demise

Well, it’s been a while since I last braved these haunted waters, but after reacquainting myself with what needed doing, I set out to sea. I found my first spot to dredge the depths—and promptly learned I am terrible at it. I’m so used to fishing and avoiding the holes that trying to aim for them scrambled my poor sailor brain. After some flailing, I eventually nailed it and dredged up… a roll of paper. Followed by another one. I briefly wondered if I could flog them to the Trader as antique toilet paper.

Onwards I went, and at my next dredging spot, success! I fished up a key. The Collector wants this, so off I went, aiming for what I thought was Blackstone Isle. I saw a red X on my map and figured that had to be the place.

Dear reader, I was sorely mistaken.

Instead of heading south, I went north, homing in on that red X like a determined—but geographically challenged—pigeon. As I pondered my navigation skills, night fell. And boy, did it fall hard. It got so dark that when I spotted another ship’s lights, I felt a flicker of excitement; finally, another vessel! Except… it wasn’t a friendly ship. It was the glowing lure of what I assume was a giant Angler fish. It rammed me, leaving me with two points of hull damage. Lovely. I also earned my second Madness Strike for my troubles.

Eventually, I docked, only to discover I wasn’t at Blackstone Isle at all—I’d landed at Steel Point. I decided that was enough excitement for one day and called it a night.

Day 8 (aka The Final Voyage)

Normally, this is where I’d sign off, but I decided to roll right into what turned out to be my final day. What brought about my watery end, you ask? My own steering.

I undocked, ready to head for Greater Marrow, only to immediately slam into some rocks. That final scrape took out the last of my hull integrity, and my ship went down. Madness didn’t get me. A sea monster didn’t get me. My own driving did me in.

Really didn’t think I’d end the run due to my driving. Guess I’ll stick to Mario Kart

RIP, S.S. Bad Decisions. You will not be missed.

Lesson learned: In Dredge, the real horror isn’t what lurks beneath the waves—it’s what happens when I’m behind the wheel. Stay tuned; maybe next time I’ll master basic navigation… or at least buy a map that doesn’t betray me.

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This Week: One Ends, One Begins

Just a quick reminder that Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival wraps up this week. One last day of eldritch fishing, creeping madness, and questionable boat choices.

But the tide doesn’t settle for long — SnowRunner: The Permagear Diaries kicks off this Friday. Less sea, more sludge. And probably just as many bad decisions.

Stick around. The chaos continues.

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Here’s What You Missed at Survivor Incognito

Another week, another set of chaotic survival tales. If you blinked, here’s what went live on the blog:

  • Tuesday: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Six
  • Wednesday: The Cold Chronicles – Day Eight
  • Thursday: Sneak, Snipe, Repeat – Day Eleven
  • Friday: The Backyard Trials: Grounded Permadeath – Final Entry

One story wraps up, others carry on. Thanks for tagging along—more survival chaos ahead next week.

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No New Dino Disaster Today — But Here’s One You May Have Missed

I was planning to post a brand-new Day One Diary for ARK today… but life, as it tends to do, had other plans. Between work, chores, and trying not to get stomped myself, there just wasn’t time to spawn, craft, and get eaten properly.

So instead, here’s a look back at one of my previous ARK Day One disasters — complete with early optimism and inevitable doom, along with some others:
👉 [Day One Diaries | Survival Game Playthroughs & First-Day Survival Challenges]

New entries are still coming soon. SnowRunner kicks off on Friday, and more chaos is always just around the corner.

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The Backyard Trials: Grounded Permadeath – Day Four

Day 4 of my Grounded permadeath run ends in tangled webs and tragedy. I go on a grub hunt, dodge danger, and fall victim to a tag team of Crab Weavers in a very sticky situation.

Missed the previous day? Find it here:The Backyard Trials: Grounded Permadeath – Day Three

🌅 Morning Optimism and Muddy Water

I wake up ready to dig. A shovel in hand and dreams of juicy grubs in my head, I set off convinced today will be the day I solve my hydration issues.

The game disagrees.

Despite digging around like a hyperactive mole, I can’t find a single grub. My thirst level’s tanking faster than my optimism, so I do the one thing I swore I’d never do again—drink the dirty water.

Let’s just say it quenched the thirst, but also quenched a small part of my soul.

🔎 Exploration… and a Red Flag

With no grubs in sight, I pivot to exploration. Maybe I’ll find a new science pod. Maybe I’ll find some dew. Maybe I’ll finally catch a break.

I find another science pod—score!

I also find a Crab Weaver—less of a score.

I do a tactical retreat (read: panic sprint) and live to fight another moment. Once the coast seems clear, I try heading back in.

🕸️ The End Comes in Eight-Legged Waves

What I don’t realise is that a Crab Weaver Jr. is nearby. It spots me. It’s faster than me. And worse, my weapons might as well be cocktail sticks.

I attempt a second retreat.

That’s when Crab Weaver Sr. shows up again. I get stuck in a web.

I’d love to say I fought bravely. I didn’t. I flailed, screamed, and got tag-teamed into the afterlife by two angry arachnids.

🪦 Farewell to the Backyard For Now

Run ends: Day 4

Cause of death: Crab Weaver Jr. and Sr. – A United Front
Final thoughts: If you’re thirsty, drink dew. If you can’t find dew… maybe just accept your fate.

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📍 Map Added! Controls, Too!

Just a quick update for all fellow sunburnt survivors: I’ve added a couple of useful visuals to the Stranded Deep hub page—
🧭 A screenshot of my starting map (so you know where I washed up)
🎮 And the Nintendo Switch controls I’m using to wrestle with coconuts, crabs, and my own bad decisions

You’ll find both right below the Series Overview section. Whether you’re following along or planning your own island misadventures, I hope it helps!

Back to hunting crabs.
(Out of revenge, not necessity. Mostly.)

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Sneak, Snipe, Repeat: Skyrim Survival Day Eleven

Loki the MVP, and Ustengrav Gets Sneaky

Day 11 of my Skyrim Survival Mode playthrough on Nintendo Switch. I cure my vampire disease, nearly lose the run to disconnected controls, and finally become the stealth archer I keep pretending to be.

Missed the previous day? Find it here: Skyrim Survival Day Ten

Cured, Not Cursed

After some internal debate, I decided to cure the disease before I fully turned vampire. I’m not ruling out the vampire lifestyle forever, but for now I prefer my Argonian warm-blooded and not photophobic. Maybe next time.

Ustengrav Ambush: Hooves First, Questions Later

Outside Ustengrav, I’m ambushed by three bandits and a necromancer. Could’ve been the end of the run—especially when my Joy-Cons disconnected mid-fight. Nothing like fumbling for a controller while enemies swing for your skull.

Luckily, Loki stepped in. I dismounted and used hit-and-run tactics while my horse quite literally stomped the threat out of them. Between the panic, arrows, and hooves, we made it through.

Depths of Ustengrav: Stealth Archer, Finally

Inside, I finally commit to the stealth archer lifestyle I keep pretending I’ve mastered. Draugr fall one by one to well-placed arrows, never knowing what hit them. This is the dream.

For a brief moment, I wonder if there’s a way to bring Loki into dungeons. Probably not. Still, the mental image of a stealth horse sneaking past Draugr is one I’ll cherish.

The Horn Is… Missing?

Reach the end of Ustengrav, expecting to claim the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller. Instead, I find a note. Great. Someone’s stolen it and wants a private meeting at the Sleeping Giant Inn in Riverwood. Because that’s not suspicious at all.

Back to Morthal

With the dungeon cleared and no horn in sight, I head back to the inn in Morthal to thaw out and call it a day. I’ll deal with mystery notes and secret meetings tomorrow. For now, I’ve earned some warm food and sleep.

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📌 For New Survivors: Start Here

Welcome to Survivor Incognito! This is where survival games meet chaos, comedy, and a healthy disregard for difficulty settings.

If you’re new here and wondering what this blog is all about, here’s a quick guide to help you dive in:

🎮 Why I Play on Easier Difficulties

Think playing on easy makes survival games easy? I’m living proof it doesn’t. 👉 Surviving, Not Suffering: Why I Choose Easier Difficulties

❄️ The Long Dark Must-Reads

🗺 The Long Dark Complete Region & Transition Zone Survival Guide

❄️ Customloper Diaries

📆 Survive Your First Week in The Long Dark

🧪 Permadeath, But Make It Funny

🕷 The Backyard Trials: Grounded Permadeath

🏹 Sneak, Snipe, Repeat: Skyrim Survival

🚢 Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival

🚚 Coming Soon

SnowRunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries Main Hub

Sunburnt & Sinking: A Stranded Deep Survival Diary

💬 Bonus Reading

👉 About Me

👉 The Long Dark Customloper Settings: Easier Interloper Survival Mode

👉 FAQ

Thanks for joining the mayhem. Surviving is optional. Storytelling the downfall? Mandatory

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

The Cold Chronicles – Day 8: Blizzard Brain, Coffee Dreams, and the Wolf-Bear Gauntlet

Difficulty: Voyageur
Optional Features: Cougar enabled (because why not add another predator?)

On Day 8 of my The Long Dark Voyageur playthrough, a blizzard delays my journey to Mystery Lake, a wolf ruins my wardrobe, and a bear guards the one safe house I actually needed.

Missed Day 7? Read it here.

The World Says “No”

I woke up in the garage feeling ready. It was finally time to leave Mountain Town. I had supplies, a rifle, semi-repaired clothes, and a general sense of purpose. I opened the door—and immediately closed it again.

A blizzard. Whiteout conditions. Zero visibility. It sounded like the wind was trying to eat the building.

So instead of forging ahead, I read a sewing book for three hours. Not the action-packed survival story I’d hoped to tell, but hey—knowledge is warmth, and warmth is survival.

Loot Cache and a Coffee Blessing

When the blizzard passed, I made use of the break in weather to drop off excess gear in the garage and go hunting for anything I might’ve missed before I left the region. Turned out to be a smart call.

I found a few food items, a fishing book for future lakeside relaxation, and a couple precious packets of coffee—liquid courage for the road ahead. I also stumbled on a note tucked inside one of the buildings. It mentioned someone heading for Mystery Lake in search of shelter. That was the nudge I needed. If someone else thought it was a good spot to survive, it was good enough for me.

Destination: Mystery Lake. All I had to do was make it there alive.

A Wolf, a Cabin, and a Bear

I started my journey out of Coastal Highway with cautious optimism. I knew the route wouldn’t be easy, but I wasn’t expecting the game to throw both a wolf and a bear at me before I hit the transition zone.

The wolf spotted me and started trailing from behind. I lit my only torch, hoping to ward it off. The flame sputtered and died immediately. Classic.

I sprinted toward a nearby cabin, figuring I could slam the door behind me and catch my breath. That plan fell apart the second I saw the bear casually loitering near the entrance. Just vibing. Just existing. In my exact path.

I did a full 180 and ran like my life depended on it—because it did.

Firearms and Failure

The wolf was still chasing me. Desperate, I turned, pulled out my rifle, aimed, and missed completely. Either the cold got to me or I was too panicked to aim. Probably both.

The wolf lunged and took me down. I fought it off, but not before it shredded one of my best hats and ripped into some of my gear. More repairs. More cloth. More silent rage.

Back to the Garage

Wounded, frustrated, and very much not at Mystery Lake, I limped back to the garage like a defeated scavenger. I spent the rest of the evening repairing what I could, drinking some of that hard-earned coffee, and trying not to think about the bear still blocking the one safe house that could’ve saved me.

On the bright side, I survived. Barely. Day 9 will be my next attempt to leave this place behind—for real this time.

Unless it blizzards again. Or the bear moves in permanently.

Continue the journey:
Day 7 |
Day 9
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Quick Update from Behind the Blog

Just when I thought the seas were clear… turns out Dark Waters had one more entry left! The final chapter of the Dredge permadeath run has now been scheduled, so we’re giving Stranded Deep a little breathing room (and maybe giving me a moment to dry off).

Meanwhile, SnowRunner: The Permagear Diaries is still on track to launch next week.

I am also still in the process of adding more ARK maps, but life finds a way to make that as slow as possible it seems, but I’m doing my best to add more as and when I am able. Thank you for your patience on that.

I have also seen people downloading my rules for games like The Long Dark, Dredge and even Grounded. If you have any suggestions for rules I could follow, please let me know and I will see if they could add to my playthroughs in any way.

Thanks for keeping up with the chaos — more doom is on the horizon!

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