Sunburnt & Sinking: A Stranded Deep Survival Diary โ€“ Final Day

Sunburnt & Sinking: A Stranded Deep Survival Diary โ€“ Final Day

Difficulty: Normal
Optional Features: Permadeath enabled (naturally)

“They say the sea is unpredictable. Turns out the real danger was bacon on legs.”

Weather / Loot / Mood

  • Weather: Pre-dawn calm, rising chop mid-crossing, sun blazing by mid-morning
  • Loot: One rock (upgraded into a knife), empty shipping container, one near-death experience
  • Mood: Optimistic โ†’ seasick โ†’ suspicious โ†’ hogged off the mortal coil

Goodbye, Starter Island

I woke before sunrise, sipped the last drips from my water still, and realised food was once again my biggest problem. My emergency coconut stash stared back at me like an unsolvable puzzle โ€” great for hydration, but without a knife, they were just spherical disappointments. The conclusion was obvious: this island had given me all it could, and it was time for me to move on.

Two new islands called from the horizon, their silhouettes promising fresh loot and maybe, just maybe, an edible dinner. I picked one, whispered a fond but brief farewell to my starting island, and began the process of leaving. This was a mistake โ€” not the leaving, but underestimating how much my raft had bonded with the beach.

Raft Wrestling & Ocean Gymnastics

Step one was prising the raft off the sand. The thing behaved like it had signed a long-term tenancy agreement and was not about to leave voluntarily. Once I freed it, I faced my next foe: the paddle, which seemed determined to stay attached like a stubborn remora. Then came the ocean itself.

Within minutes, my crossing turned into an impromptu extreme sport. I capsized more times than I care to admit, each time righting the raft while muttering things not suitable for a survival diary. The swell toyed with me, and every few waves I was convinced Iโ€™d see a shark fin break the surface. But eventually, the new island came into focus โ€” and with it, signs of potential treasure. A red shipping container sat on the shore, while offshore, a wooden pole jutted out of the water. Wreckage? Supplies? Or just an elaborate distraction?

New Shore, New Knife, No Loot

Landfall came with an overwhelming sense of relief. First priority: tools. I grabbed a rock, worked it into a knife, and set out to investigate the shipping container. The excitement lasted right up until I swung the door open to revealโ€ฆ absolutely nothing. No food, no tools, not even decorative debris. My mood sank faster than my raft had earlier that morning.

Still, the island was bigger than it first appeared, with palm trees casting long shadows across the sand. Somewhere out here, there had to be food. Or at least something less likely to stab me in the stomach than my own hunger.

The Hog Strikes Back (โ€ฆTwice, Actually Thrice)

Thatโ€™s when I saw it: a hog. Large, broad-shouldered, and wearing the kind of expression that suggested it already hated me. Before I could take a step back, it charged โ€” no hesitation, no negotiation, just a blur of tusks and fury.

Desperation kicked in. I fought back with my newly crafted knife, scoring a few hits before it bolted into the undergrowth. Victory? Not quite. As I turned to check my surroundings, I spotted a snake winding its way across the sand. Excellent โ€” protein! I lunged, only for the hog to return for round two. We clashed again, my health dropping with each collision.

By the time round three began, I was already bleeding and winded. Iโ€™d love to say I managed a heroic counter, but the truth is the hog bowled me over like I was nothing more than driftwood in its path. The world went dark, the game flashed its verdict, and my save was gone. Just like that.

Epilogue: Lessons from the Hog

So ends my Stranded Deep run โ€” three days according to the game, four by my own count. I learned a lot: coconuts are useless without a knife, rafts are stubborn, and hogs are natureโ€™s way of telling you to keep your distance. It was a short ride, but fun. Next time, maybe Iโ€™ll survive long enough to cook that bacon instead of becoming it.

Continue the Journey

Day 1 |
Day 3 |
Final Day (You Are Here)

Choo Choo Charles โ€“ Day One Diary: Eugene, Eggs, and Accidental Manslaughter

My Choo Choo Charles day one diary includes a monster-hunting job, a sprinting NPC, and Eugeneโ€™s untimely (and possibly avoidable) demise.


The Job Offer That Shouldโ€™ve Been a Red Flag

I got a call from Eugene. Said he had a job that would help โ€œmy museum.โ€ Didnโ€™t specify how, didnโ€™t ask if I had museum experience, just told me it was time to go monster hunting. I shouldโ€™ve asked questions. Like โ€œwhat kind of monster?โ€ or โ€œwhy me?โ€ or โ€œhave you ever heard of hazard pay?โ€

Instead, I said yes.


Meet Charles: Part Locomotive, Part Arachnid, All Nightmare Fuel

I found myself rowing to a misty, ominous island with Eugene casually explaining that weโ€™re up against a half-train, half-gigaspider named Charles.
Cool. Totally normal Saturday

Upon docking, Eugene says thereโ€™s a train up the hill we can use โ€” but also notes Charles isnโ€™t the only thing to worry about. Then he bolts. Full sprint. No hesitation. Just gone. Iโ€™m used to NPCs dragging their feet, not outpacing me like theyโ€™ve got somewhere better to be.


Learning the Ropes (and the Rail Controls)

Eugene points me to a nearby shack with the key to access the train. This is where I learn how to use the map and set waypoints. Handy, and slightly more intuitive than most in-game maps.

I return with the key, unlock the garage, and meet my new metal ride. Itโ€™s already equipped with a mounted machine gun and has three levers: forward, reverse, and stop. Thatโ€™s it. No cup holder. No horn. No emotional support buttons.


First Encounter: Train vs. Terror

I hit the forward lever and the train lurches ahead โ€” straight into my first encounter with Charles.

Cue panic.

The gun works, technically. But it does about as much damage as a water pistol might do to a tank. Charles shrugs it off, mauls Eugene mid-sentence, and disappears into the fog.

Iโ€™m left alone. On a moving train. Slightly traumatised.


About That Stopping Distanceโ€ฆ

After the chaos, I check the map to reorient myself and decide to go back to Eugene โ€” assuming heโ€™s maybe clinging to life. I reverse the train and, thinking Iโ€™ve lined it up just right, I slam the stop lever.

I do not stop in time.

I run over Eugene.

Itโ€™s unclear whether Charles killed him or if I finished the job by turning him into railkill. Either way, his final words croak out โ€” something about finding the eggs and stopping Charles once and for all.

No pressure.


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

Goodnight, Sweet Lizard: A Farewell to My First Skyrim Survivor

After 13 in-game days of sneak attacks, harsh weather, and a deeply unfortunate troll encounter, my Argonian Skyrim survivor meets his end. This is his legacy โ€” and a lesson in knowing when not to go into caves.

Read his full journey here: Sneak, Snipe, Repeat: Skyrim Survival


In Loving Memory of One Very Cold, Reluctantly Landed Argonian

He was cold-blooded. He was quiet. He preferred to solve most problems from the shadows with a well-placed arrow โ€” because melee is for people with frostbite and regrets.

And yet, after surviving everything Skyrim threw at him, it wasnโ€™t bandits, dragons, or starvation that claimed him. It was two angry trolls and one very bad decision to poke around in Darkshade Cave.


The Life of a Lizard Who Tried His Best

This wasnโ€™t just another survivor.
This was a stealth archer, which is to say: a Skyrim classic.
He lived by the code of โ€œsnipe first, loot later, probably run if it doesnโ€™t work.โ€

In just under two weeks, he:

Escaped Helgen

Lost Lydia

Hired and lost a mercenary

Earned Goldenhills Plantation the way every true adventurer dreams of: by completing a creepy quest and forgetting to farm anything afterwards

Rescued a horse he named Loki, who became the real MVP of the run

Became a part-time necromancer, part-time landowner, and full-time weather complaint generator

Climbed the 7,000 Steps in survival mode without dying of frostbite. Which is frankly a flex.


He even tried to get back to Riverwood like a responsible protagonist.

And then he saw a cave.


Final Moments: The Troll Toll

It started with a stop in Windhelm to offload loot and maybe warm up.
Then came the cave โ€” just a quick look inside, a moment of curiosity.

The first troll nearly killed him.
He chugged potions like they were mead.
The second troll hit harder.
Somewhere in the middle, Gutworm joined the party.

And that was it.

No shouts. No slow-motion kill cam. Just two trolls and a regrettable sense of exploration.


What Weโ€™ve Learned

If there are bones outside a cave, leave them and the cave alone.

Gutworm is not an edgy band name โ€” itโ€™s a problem.

Owning property does not make you immune to stupid decisions.

Trolls are not โ€œstarter enemies.โ€

And stealth archery cannot save you if you’re cornered with no exit and 12% stamina.


Final Thoughts

He never had a name. But he had a farm, a horse, and a bow.

He stood on mountaintops. He summoned undead to do his dirty work.
He shot first, looted later, and almost made it to two weeks.

And then he did what every Skyrim player eventually does:
He got Skyrimโ€™d by a cave.

Rest in peace, my scaly shadow-dweller. You tried. And in Skyrim Survival Mode, thatโ€™s more than enough.

And like they always say, I don’t know who they are, but they do: Finish on a song

Customloper Diaries Day Five: Moose-terious Happenings

Customloper Diaries โ€“ Day 5: Moose Standoff, Bullet Disappointment, and Frostbite Gordon Ramsay

Weather: Overcast โ†’ blizzard remnants โ†’ cold, tense calm
Loot Highlights: 32 revolver bullets (without the revolver), coffee, stew ingredients
Mood: Caffeine-fueled paranoia

โ—€ Missed Day 4? Read it here  | 
What is Customloper?

Moose-terious Happenings and Bullet Mockery

I wake up cold, hypothermic, and shivering in a shelter that feels like itโ€™s holding back winter by sheer stubbornness. Outside, the air is still heavy with yesterdayโ€™s storm. I light a torchโ€”not for light, but for moraleโ€”and step outside to grab sticks for a fire.

Thatโ€™s when I hear it. A low, deliberate snort. Snow crunching under something big. My brain takes about two seconds to put it together: the Moose is still here. Still patrolling. Still grumpy. All Iโ€™ve got is a flare gun, three flares, and zero confidence this will be anything but moose-poking practice.

Later research confirmed flare guns actually can scare or even injure moose. At the time, though, I pictured wasting all three shots and ending up as hoof-print art in the snow.

Sidebar: Flare Guns vs Wildlife

  • Wolves: Scared of everything, including your hesitation. Flare gun = instant retreat.
  • Bears: Works if youโ€™re quick and accurate. Miss, and youโ€™ve just upgraded it to โ€œangry bear.โ€
  • Moose: Vulnerable, but charging moose leave little margin for error. Pray your aim is better than your panic management.

Fire, Coffee, and False Confidence

I retreat inside, break down a couple of stools, and get a fire going. Coffee brews while my temperature climbs from โ€œfreezer aisleโ€ to โ€œslightly uncomfortable.โ€ Caffeine courage in place, I decide to make another break for it.

I crack the door. Two cautious steps outsideโ€”then I hear it again. This time I actually see the moose, casually stomping away from me like it owns the place. Which, frankly, it does.

I seize the chance to sneak toward the picnic area, hoping Iโ€™ll finally find a revolver or rifle. Spoiler: no. Just more snow, more silence, and the nagging sense Iโ€™m on borrowed time.

Panic Sprint to Orca

Plan B forms in my head: head to Orca Gas Station and regroup. The snow crunches under my boots, the wind whistles between the treesโ€”and then I hear a noise behind me. Could be the wind. Could be antlers. I donโ€™t check. I just run. Full panic sprint, torch flaring wildly, straight to Orcaโ€™s door.

Inside, adrenaline still in overdrive, I make a silent vow: if I live through this, Iโ€™ll cook everything I can get my hands on. Meals will be my legacy.

Bullets Without a Gun

The walk back to Grey Motherโ€™s is uneventful, which feels like winning the lottery. I throw myself into cooking: rabbit stew, venison stew, boiling waterโ€”anything to nudge my Cooking skill higher. Somewhere in the process, I drop off 32 revolver bullets into storage. The universe clearly thinks this is funny.

Three separate attempts to repair my climbing socks all fail. Morale drops. I sweep Grey Motherโ€™s house again just in case a revolver is hiding in the corner. Itโ€™s not.

I end the day reading a book to boost my harvesting skill, the flickering lantern light casting long shadows. Outside, the moose is probably still wandering. Inside, Iโ€™m still stubborn, still alive, still armed with only a flare gun and misplaced optimism.

Day 5 Summary

  • Location: Milton Region
  • Finds: 32 revolver bullets, coffee, stew ingredients
  • Wildlife Watch: Persistent moose
  • Conditions: Cold and tense
  • Status: Warm, fed, moose-adjacent

Continue the Journey

โ—€ Customloper Diaries โ€“ Day 4: Prybars, Pancake Plans, and the Blizzard Lock-In
Customloper Diaries โ€“ Day 6 โ–ถ

๐Ÿ๏ธ Day One Diary: Stranded Deep Tutorial โ€“ Sunburnt & Sinking (Warm-Up Edition)

A practice run before the chaos begins: I tackle the Stranded Deep tutorial on Nintendo Switch, battle a crab, get lost on a tiny island, and somehow manage to build shelter. The real journey starts next timeโ€”with a brand new seed and no hand-holding.


๐Ÿ›ฉ๏ธ โ€œThe plane crash was just the beginning. My real enemy? Inventory management.โ€

I load up Stranded Deep, hoping to ease myself back in with the tutorial. Instead, Iโ€™m treated to a cutscene straight out of Final Destinationโ€”a plane going down, debris flying, and my character waking up underwater inside the wreck. No time for panic. I dive out, kick my way through the wreckage, and find my trusty inflatable raft.

Then comes my first real survival challenge: how to unequip the oar. After some determined button-mashing and a healthy amount of muttering, I figure it out. I drag the raft ashoreโ€”because Iโ€™ve seen enough YouTube fails to know that leaving your raft in the water is how you end up stranded before the game even starts.

The tutorial gently nudges me along, but even then, the menus areโ€ฆ a bit of a puzzle. I gather supplies, make a campfire (conveniently close to the raft), and promptly get ambushed by a crab. Itโ€™s small, angry, and determined to remind me Iโ€™m not in charge here.

Navigation proves tricky. Despite the island being roughly the size of a football pitch, I still manage to get lost several times. I also hoard everything I see, which turns my inventory into a mess of sticks, rocks, and plant bits.

As darkness falls, I realize I need to craft shelter. Fibrous leaves are required, but Iโ€™ve used most of them, and a torch sounds greatโ€”except I have no idea where to get cloth. I spend several minutes wandering aimlessly in the dark, wondering if this is how it ends. Eventually, I find what I need, cobble together a basic shelter, and finallyโ€”finallyโ€”save the game.


๐Ÿ”š End of Day Summary:

Survived tutorial โœ”๏ธ

Beat up by a crab โœ”๏ธ

Got lost on a tiny island โœ”๏ธ โ€“ Yes, that actually happened

Built shelter and saved โœ”๏ธ

Confidence level for real run: โ€ฆdebatable


๐Ÿงญ Whatโ€™s Next?

Next time, the real run begins. New seed, no hand-holding, and full permadeath rules. I have no idea whatโ€™s waiting for me, but if itโ€™s another crab, we are going to have words.

If you enjoyed this one, please check out my other day one diaries here

Customloper Diaries Day Four: Locked Trunks, Blizzards, and Pancake Promises

Customloper Diaries โ€“ Day 4: Prybars, Pancake Plans, and the Blizzard Lock-In

Weather: Clear morning, moose-level tension, full blizzard finale
Loot Highlights: Prybar, Storm Lantern, memento cache hint, acorns
Mood: Energised โ†’ cautious โ†’ โ€œnope, not stepping outsideโ€

Missed Day 3? Read it here.  | 
What is Customloper?

Moose Tracks and Memory Trunks

Morning at Paradise Meadows Farm is deceptively calmโ€”blue skies, crisp air, and the kind of silence that makes you think โ€œsafe.โ€ Which, as Iโ€™ve learned, is usually the universe setting you up for trouble. My goal is simple: get back to Grey Motherโ€™s without freezing, starving, or becoming wildlife entertainment.

Before I even make it to the main road, I spot circling birds. If youโ€™ve read my blog before, you know this usually means a corpse. And corpses mean loot. Sure enough, todayโ€™s offering is a prybar lying beside the unlucky owner. I take a respectful momentโ€”then take the prybar. Survival first, sentiment later.

Miltonโ€™s Got Loot

With my new tool in hand, I march into Milton like a one-person locksmith service. Every locked trunk and locker Iโ€™d previously ignored is now fair game. The results? A couple of sodas, some gloves, and various odds and ends. Not exactly jackpot material, but the sense of clearing my โ€œto-openโ€ list is its own reward.

My real prize comes at Orca Gas Station. Perched on top of a ladder, basking in the weak winter sunlight, is a Storm Lantern. Iโ€™d have climbed Mount Timberwolf itself for this. Itโ€™s not just lightโ€”itโ€™s morale. No more groping around in the dark like an amateur escape artist.

Signs in the Snow

Lantern in my pack, I head toward Milton Park. Thatโ€™s when I see itโ€”moose rubbings etched into a tree. My mood shifts instantly from โ€œpleasant strollโ€ to โ€œscan every shadow for large, angry silhouettes.โ€ I havenโ€™t actually seen a moose yet this run, but Iโ€™m not eager to test my odds.

Nearby, I gather acorns. Theyโ€™re a small thing, but they bring me one step closer to Lilyโ€™s Pancakesโ€”my long-term culinary goal. The catch? I still need Cooking Level 4. Which means at least seventy cups of tea, or possibly cooking every edible thing on the island. Twice.

Before heading out, I also find a memento cache hint. A promise of future loot, assuming I make it that far. If past runs are anything to go by, the odds are… letโ€™s call them โ€œvariable.โ€

Blizzard Becomes the Boss Fight

By the time I start for my shelter, the snow is falling thicker. A few minutes later, Iโ€™m in the middle of a full blizzard. Visibility drops to โ€œcouldnโ€™t find your own footprints,โ€ and the wind is howling like itโ€™s trying to blow the entire town off the map. Somewhere out there, I think I hear movementโ€”could be a wolf, could be my imagination. Either way, the door stays closed.

Inside, I get a fire going, boil water, and cook whateverโ€™s left in my pack. The mattress here is old, musty, and about as supportive as a wet paper bag, but compared to freezing to death, itโ€™s luxury. Outside, the storm rages. Inside, Iโ€™m dry, warm, and in possession of a prybar, a storm lantern, and a future pancake dream. Could be worse.

Day 4 Summary

  • Location: Milton Region
  • Finds: Prybar, Storm Lantern, memento cache hint, acorns
  • Wildlife Watch: Potential moose spawn
  • Conditions: Blizzard-bound
  • Status: Warm, fed, slightly paranoidโ€”but alive

Continue the Journey

โ—€ Customloper Diaries โ€“ Day 3: Charcoal Maps, Rabbit Stew, and a Surprise Wolf Hug
Customloper Diaries โ€“ Day 5 โ–ถ

The Backyard Trials: Grounded Permadeath โ€“ 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 โ€“ Day Three


๐ŸŒ… 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 canโ€™t find a single grub. My thirst levelโ€™s tanking faster than my optimism, so I do the one thing I swore Iโ€™d never do againโ€”drink the dirty water.

Letโ€™s just say it quenched the thirst, but also quenched a small part of my soul.


๐Ÿ”Ž Exploration… and a Red Flag

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

I find another science podโ€”score!

I also find a Crab Weaverโ€”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.


๐Ÿ•ธ๏ธ The End Comes in Eight-Legged Waves

What I donโ€™t realise is that a Crab Weaver Jr. is nearby. It spots me. Itโ€™s faster than me. And worse, my weapons might as well be cocktail sticks.

I attempt a second retreat.

Thatโ€™s when Crab Weaver Sr. shows up again. I get stuck in a web.

Iโ€™d love to say I fought bravely. I didnโ€™t. I flailed, screamed, and got tag-teamed into the afterlife by two angry arachnids.


๐Ÿชฆ Farewell to the Backyard For Now

Run ends: Day 4

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

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

The Cold Chronicles โ€“ 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 doorโ€”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 Iโ€™d hoped to tell, but heyโ€”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 mightโ€™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 coffeeโ€”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 wouldnโ€™t be easy, but I wasnโ€™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 itโ€”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 couldโ€™ve saved me.

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

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

Continue the journey:
Day 7 |
Day 9

ARK: Aberration โ€“ Day One Diary: Punching Trees, Hallucinating Plants, and a Cliff Dive of Doom

My first day in ARK: Aberration on Nintendo Switch. From punching trees to cliff diving for water, join me for a chaotic survival tale featuring hallucinations, heat, and questionable choices.

Not sure where I am? Please check out the  ARK: Survival Evolved Maps


Welcome to Aberration

I decide to spawn at the Portalโ€”the game assures me this is the easiest spot to start, so naturally, I trust it. I materialize in my underwear (as you do) and am immediately told Iโ€™m too hot. How? Iโ€™m practically naked!

Undeterred, I begin my search for trees to punch and rocks to grab. It sounds simple, but this is ARK. The landscape is full of creatures, including a Tek Stegosaurus!

I want it. I want it badly. But Iโ€™m level one, with zero taming ability. So I sigh, and return to foraging.


Tools, Berries, and the Great Stone Hunt

Before long, Iโ€™ve got a healthy stash of berries, thatch, and wood. I cobble together some primitive clothingโ€”so long, underwear! Now for stones. The game clearly enjoys messing with me. Stones are everywhere, yet my button presses achieve nothing. After several failed attempts, I finally manage to pick some up. Tools: crafted.

Next problem: water. Iโ€™m parched, and the nearest source is… at the bottom of a cliff. Whatโ€™s a survivor to do? I jump. If I die, heyโ€”at least the Graveyard page gets a funny new entry. Miraculously, I survive.


The Hallucination Plant

Feeling triumphant, I approach a strange plant. Surely nothing bad could happen. The plant proves me wrong. Iโ€™m instantly hallucinating, defecating like itโ€™s a competitive sport, and generally regretting my life choices. After about 30 seconds, it stops. Do I consider touching the plant again? Absolutely. Do I? Thankfully, no.


Night Falls, Chaos Rises

Darkness sets in. I light a torchโ€”instant overheating. My options are: see where Iโ€™m going and melt, or stumble blindly in comfort.

And then, I become overencumbered. I offload a ton, even dip below my carry limit. Still canโ€™t move. Can crouch, can look around, but walk or jump? Nope. At this point, I call it a day.


Final Thoughts

Not how I imagined my first day in Aberration ending, but I had a blast. Stay tunedโ€”surely it can only get weirder from here.


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

The Backyard Trials: Grounded Permadeath โ€“ Day Two

Day Two of my Grounded Permadeath run. Panic still lingering, but Iโ€™ve secured food, water, armor, and narrowly avoided becoming ant food. Progress!

Missed day one and want to find out how this journey started? Find it here: The Backyard Trials Day One

Thirst, Hunger, and the Panic Begins Anew

I wake up to a familiar feeling: low-level dread. Iโ€™m hungry. Iโ€™m thirsty. I have very little idea what Iโ€™m doing. Survival in the backyard is a constant balancing act between problem-solving and quiet panic.

Thankfully, some form of insect-based miracle has occurred overnight. Thereโ€™s an aphid corpse conveniently placed right next to my lean-to. Did it explode? Was it eaten and discarded? I donโ€™t know โ€” but in my current state, itโ€™s dinner.

The thirst problem is less cooperative. Another ill-advised sip of dirty water reminds me that my standards need to rise if I want to avoid adding โ€œconstant food poisoningโ€ to my growing list of concerns.

Salvation in the Form of Dew

In the midst of my slight panic spiral, I spot a glimmer of hope: dew, perched high on a blade of grass. After some awkward jumping that likely looked ridiculous to any nearby insects, I manage to secure a drop of clean water. The panic dial lowers slightlyโ€ฆ but only slightly. I still canโ€™t carry any extra, so the problem is only delayed, not solved.

Workbench, Roasting Spit, and Progress (Sort Of)

Back at the science station, I start trying to piece my situation together. I craft a Workbench, which unlocks more options, including a Roasting Spit. Finally, I can cook meat instead of risking stomach-churning raw snacks. My diet now consists of roasted aphid and weevil. Itโ€™s not exactly fine dining, but Iโ€™m not dead โ€” which is honestly my only metric of success right now.

Clover Armor: The Fashion of Fear

With food and water temporarily under control, my brain returns to its default state: “Whatโ€™s going to kill me next?” The answer, probably, is โ€œeverything.โ€ So I decide to take the edge off by crafting Clover Armor โ€” a full set covering my head, chest, and legs.

It won’t stop anything truly dangerous, but it’s comforting. Like wearing a raincoat in a hurricane. It technically helps, but you wouldnโ€™t want to test it.

Early Combat Lessons (And More Panic)

Armed with a spear and new-found confidence (read: mild overconfidence), I pick a fight with an ant. It goes wellโ€ฆ until his buddy shows up. The fight escalates, I take some hits, apply a bandage, and add โ€œdon’t poke ants unless absolutely necessaryโ€ to my mental rulebook.

Later, while trying to understand how my hotbar works, I accidentally hurl my spear at a completely innocent patch of grass. At least I didnโ€™t spear myself. Small victories.

The Baseball, Tactical Retreats, and Nightfall

Before dark, I scout a little further and discover a giant baseball, which offers a perfect vantage point for surveying my surroundings. Unfortunately, I also nearly stumble into a fight with a soldier ant and two backup dancers. A brief surge of panic kicks in again, but I manage a tactical retreat before things get ugly.

Nighttime approaches. I may have a torch now, but Iโ€™m not insane enough to go wandering in the dark just yet. Panic management remains the most critical skill in my early days.

Wrapping Up Day Two

Day Two ends with clean water, cooked food, basic armor, and a strong undercurrent of low-level panic. Progress has been made, mistakes have been narrowly avoided, and tomorrow Iโ€™ll venture even further โ€” anxiety levels permitting.

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