Tag: Resource Gathering

🌊 Submerged: A Subnautica Survival Diary – Log 5.5: Racing the Sunbeam

5.5

“Rescue was coming. Naturally, that meant it was time to start a new project instead.”

Platform: Steam Deck
Difficulty: Survival
Recording: Lost due to file corruption — because the ocean clearly wasn’t done messing with me.

Author’s Note: Unfortunately, my recording for this session corrupted before I noticed. So this entry is reconstructed from memory — a cautionary tale for all survivors who trust autosave more than their capture software.

Message from the Heavens

It begins with the crackle of static — another message from the Sunbeam. They’ve located a landing site. They’re on their way. Forty minutes until pickup.

Forty minutes until salvation.

Naturally, I decide to ignore the pending rescue entirely and go chase the final piece of the Mobile Vehicle Bay instead. Priorities.

The Hunt for Titanium and Sanity

I swim toward the Sunbeam’s coordinates, eyes peeled for fragments. Just as I’m starting to lose hope — there it is. The final piece.

I bolt back toward my lifepod like my oxygen tank depends on it (which, to be fair, it always does). The excitement of progress pushes me faster than any propulsion cannon ever could. I check the crafting requirements — Titanium Ingot, Power Cell, a few odds and ends I already have scattered in lockers. Easy enough.

And since I clearly have time before rescue, I think, “Why not go bigger?” Enter: the Seamoth. The personal submersible of my dreams.

Building the Dream

The Mobile Vehicle Bay is first on the list. Titanium gathered, ingot forged, power cell crafted from the remains of old batteries. When it finally deploys and floats proudly on the surface, it feels like progress — real progress.

I climb aboard, ready to build my Seamoth, and immediately realise I’ve made a rookie mistake. No Titanium Ingot. Again. The ocean mocks me with its silence as I swim off once more, scavenging every bit of wreckage I can find.

Eventually, success. The Seamoth blueprint completes, and the little sub rises from the water like a gift from the deep. She’s beautiful — and mine. I climb in, listen to the AI purr, and feel an unfamiliar thing: hope.

There’s still time before the Sunbeam arrives. I point my Seamoth toward the landing site. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll make it in time to see the sky light up with something other than plasma fire.

Next: The Sky Burns

I set course for the island, my Seamoth slicing through the water like it was always meant to be there. The radio says twenty minutes until the Sunbeam arrives. The ocean says otherwise.

Continue the Journey:
Log 5: Waiting for the Sunbeam | Log 6

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🌊 Submerged: A Subnautica Survival Diary – Log 5: Scanners, Stalkers, and the Elusive Bay

“Sometimes survival means chasing blueprints you’ll never find and pretending the ocean isn’t full of things that want to hypnotise you.”

Platform: Steam Deck
Objective: Wait for the Sunbeam transmission and maybe, just maybe, build something that floats.

Exploration (a.k.a. Avoiding Impatience)

With nothing to do but wait for the Sunbeam’s next message, I decide to make the most of my surface time. I remember having another lifepod distress signal stored, so I tag it on my HUD and head out exploring. At first, the ocean feels empty — just me, the waves, and a slowly draining battery supply — but that doesn’t last long.

After a bit of aimless swimming, I finally stumble upon the final fragment for the Laser Cutter. I can practically hear the sound of sealed Aurora doors opening already. Victory, thy name is “I can finally cut stuff.”

In the midst of my excitement, I make the questionable decision to scan a Stalker. It could’ve gone wrong in a hurry, but apparently it was too busy minding its own business to care. A rare win for curiosity over self-preservation.

The Hunt for the Mobile Vehicle Bay

With the Laser Cutter blueprints ready, I set my sights on something even more crucial: the Mobile Vehicle Bay. I want my Seamoth — freedom in miniature submarine form. I head toward Lifepod 17 again, the same one that’s been testing my patience since last time.

Luck strikes early — I find two out of three pieces for the Bay in fairly quick succession. Naturally, that’s where the good fortune ends. The third? Nowhere to be seen. I comb the seabed, check every wreck, and even chase shadows thinking they might be fragments. Spoiler: they weren’t.

In true Subnautica fashion, my HUD decides to stop showing the lifepod marker mid-journey. A quick reset fixes it, but it doesn’t help my sense of direction — or my growing frustration. Ten to fifteen minutes later, I’m still empty-handed.

Strange Fish and Stranger Plants

To add to the ambience, I discover a few plants with anger issues and meet a Mesmer — a deceptively pretty fish that freezes you mid-swim while whispering sweet nonsense. The first time it happened, I couldn’t move, couldn’t think, and then suddenly — WHAM. Out of the trance, face-to-face with a glowing fish that definitely wanted me gone.

Thankfully, the Propulsion Cannon was in my hands. A single blast later, and the Mesmer was forcibly introduced to the local wall. Justice served.

Calling It a Night (Reluctantly)

As darkness falls, I decide to call it a day. Nighttime on this planet is truly pitch black, and I’m not wasting my last batteries trying to play deep-sea Marco Polo with blueprints. Still, it wasn’t a wasted trip — I unlocked a few new crafting recipes and gathered plenty of scan data for the databank. Just not the one blueprint I actually wanted.

Tomorrow, the ocean and I will have words. Preferably near the wrecks that have Mobile Vehicle Bay fragments.

Video Log

Continue the Journey

⟵ Log 4: The Cannon and the Leviathan |
Log 5.5: The Sunbeam’s Shadow ⟶

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🌊 Submerged: A Subnautica Survival Diary — Log 4: Extinction Prevention (Mostly)

“Turns out nuclear safety training is optional when you’re the only one left alive.”

Mode: Survival | Platform: Steam Deck

Post-Reaper Priorities

After my last close encounter with the Reaper Leviathan, I decide that maybe, just maybe, going silver-hunting anywhere near them is a bad idea. I still need that silver for my Propulsion Cannon, but I’d rather not earn another traumatic underwater flashback. I remember some sandstone outcrops near Lifepod 17, so I head there instead.

Luck is finally on my side. I find the silver pretty quickly, head back to my lifepod, and get to work. A few crafted materials later, I’m officially armed with a Propulsion Cannon. I briefly consider testing it on the Reaper — just to see what happens — but deep down, I know it would end poorly for me and hilariously for the Reaper.

Back to the Aurora

Feeling brave (or foolish), I head back to the Aurora. Naturally, my Seaglide’s battery dies halfway there, because Subnautica loves timing like that. After swapping it out, I make my way inside and retrace my previous steps. The crates that blocked me before? One satisfying Propulsion Cannon blast later, and I’m through.

I’m not sure what I expected — treasure, danger, maybe another PDA full of corporate nonsense — but what I definitely didn’t expect was a locked door with a keypad. For a moment, I almost give up. Then I remember my PDA might know something I don’t (which is most things), and there it is — a door code: 1454. It takes a few attempts — because typing underwater is hard — but eventually, the door slides open.

The Reactor Room

Behind it lies the reactor room, complete with glowing warnings telling me not to enter without training. Fortunately, no one’s around to stop me — and the ship is literally falling apart — so I take that as an invitation.

Radiation warning blaring, I dive in. The place is crawling with those little aggressive sea pests who’ve apparently decided this nuclear chamber is home sweet home. I’m too focused on repairing breaches to care. Twelve welds later, the Aurora’s no longer in danger of turning the ocean into a radioactive soup. One crisis averted, and I didn’t even vaporise myself. I’ll take that as a win.

Lifepod 4 and the Sunbeam

On my way back to Lifepod 5, I spot something bobbing on the surface. It’s an upside-down lifepod — number 4, to be exact. Curiosity wins, and I investigate. Inside, I find a PDA and a Creature Decoy blueprint. Probably not a coincidence that this pod didn’t make it.

Back at my base of operations, I reward myself with some cooked fish and clean water before checking the latest radio transmission. It’s from the Sunbeam — they’ve heard my signals and are getting closer. They just need to find somewhere to land.

Awaiting Rescue

Not sure what I’ll do while I wait. I’ve got Seamoth blueprints now, but no sign of the Mobile Vehicle Bay fragments I need to actually build one. So for the time being, it’s just me, my Seaglide, and the ever-expanding ocean of things trying to eat me.

I didn’t expect preventing an extinction-level event to be this quick — though I suspect the planet has plenty more chaos in store. For now, I’ll gather resources, explore nearby wrecks, and keep an eye out for those fragments. And maybe go swimming, just… not too deep.

Continue the journey:
Log 3: The Reaper’s Warning |
Log 5: Scanners, Stalkers & The Elusive Bay
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🩸Derailed & Doomed: A Choo Choo Charles Survival Diary Final Log: End of the Line

🩸 Derailed & Doomed — Final Log: End of the Line

“One bridge, three eggs, and one very angry locomotive. Let’s finish this.”

Difficulty: Standard

Permadeath Rule: Three Strikes — now down to two.

Preparation and Farewell

I take what’s probably going to be my last look at the map. Theodore’s quest marker catches my eye, but in the distance I hear Charles’ unmistakable whistle. He’s ready—and so am I.

I set my sights on the temple. The train, my steel companion through every panic-fueled moment on this island, begins to roll. It’s carried me this far—it deserves one last fight. Before I reach my destination, I decide to make things more interesting: that extra strike I earned earlier? Gone. I’m back down to two strikes for the final confrontation. If this is the end, it’ll be fair.

The Final Egg

As I arrive at the temple, I spot a lone cultist and do my best to avoid them. I almost succeed… until a bullet catches me in the back right as I start the ritual. The final egg slides into the altar, and Warren Charles III himself appears, demanding I stop. I don’t. The altar lights flare, the air shakes—and then the nightmare begins.

Charles re-emerges, but he’s no longer the creature that’s stalked me for days. He’s transformed—hulking, burning, furious. Hell Charles. Warren doesn’t even get a full sentence out before he’s swatted into oblivion. I sprint for my train. It’s time to end this.

First Attempt: Hell on Rails

I open with the Bug Spray—fire has always been my friend—but it’s not doing enough damage. I swap between BOB and The Boomer, trying to keep the pressure on. It’s not enough. Hell Charles hits harder than anything I’ve faced, tearing through my armor and chewing through every scrap I have. I use my last piece of scrap for repairs, but it’s hopeless. He catches me, sending me down to my final strike. One life left. One last chance.

Second Attempt: Fire and Iron

This is it—the final fight between me and Hell Charles. One of us is walking away from this bridge, and it’s not going to be him.

Absolutely — here’s your final full post, with the video placeholder inserted, the “many more eggs” twist added for your ending, and everything formatted perfectly for your WordPress setup and Derailed & Doomed series style.

—

🩸 Derailed & Doomed — Final Log: End of the Line

“One bridge, three eggs, and one very angry locomotive. Let’s finish this.”

Difficulty: Standard

Permadeath Rule: Three Strikes — now down to two.

Preparation and Farewell

I take what’s probably going to be my last look at the map. Theodore’s quest marker catches my eye, but in the distance I hear Charles’ unmistakable whistle. He’s ready—and so am I.

I set my sights on the temple. The train, my steel companion through every panic-fueled moment on this island, begins to roll. It’s carried me this far—it deserves one last fight. Before I reach my destination, I decide to make things more interesting: that extra strike I earned earlier? Gone. I’m back down to two strikes for the final confrontation. If this is the end, it’ll be fair.

The Final Egg

As I arrive at the temple, I spot a lone cultist and do my best to avoid them. I almost succeed… until a bullet catches me in the back right as I start the ritual. The final egg slides into the altar, and Warren Charles III himself appears, demanding I stop. I don’t. The altar lights flare, the air shakes—and then the nightmare begins.

Charles re-emerges, but he’s no longer the creature that’s stalked me for days. He’s transformed—hulking, burning, furious. Hell Charles. Warren doesn’t even get a full sentence out before he’s swatted into oblivion. I sprint for my train. It’s time to end this.

First Attempt: Hell on Rails

I open with the Bug Spray—fire has always been my friend—but it’s not doing enough damage. I swap between BOB and The Boomer, trying to keep the pressure on. It’s not enough. Hell Charles hits harder than anything I’ve faced, tearing through my armor and chewing through every scrap I have. I use my last piece of scrap for repairs, but it’s hopeless. He catches me, sending me down to my final strike. One life left. One last chance.

Second Attempt: Fire and Iron

This is it—the final fight between me and Hell Charles. One of us is walking away from this bridge, and it’s not going to be him.

This time, I play smarter. I remember how well the Bug Spray kept him at bay during egg hunts, so I double down on it. Flames roar, metal screeches, and I manage to hold him off long enough to chip away at his health. He tries teleporting around the tracks, but I’m ready for his tricks now.

His health drops bit by bit. I’m out of scrap again, the train’s on its last legs, but Hell Charles is weaker than ever. I watch his health bar disappear—only for him to keep coming. Then, the bridge looms ahead.

The charges detonate. The rails give way. Hell Charles plummets into the abyss. I don’t know how much health I had left, and honestly, I don’t care. The island is quiet for the first time in days. I exhale as the credits roll.

After the Fire

Victory tastes like engine smoke and relief. The nightmare’s over—or so I thought. Because as the screen fades, the camera pans to another cave… and far more than just three eggs. The ground trembles. Something deep beneath the island is stirring. I might’ve won the battle, but this world’s story is far from over.

Continue the Journey

Log 6 | Final Log: You Are Here

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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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SnowRunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries – Day Fifteen: Tyres, Tests, and a Tempting Task

SnowRunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries – Day 15

Truck of the Day: Frank (Fleetstar F2070A)
Primary Objective: Complete Steel River Supplies and Riverside Repair tasks

Tyres, Tests, and a Tempting Task

With Frank sporting his brand-new tyres, I couldn’t resist giving him a proper shakedown. Scanning my task list, Steel River Supplies caught my eye. Not only would it send me back to Black River, but it would also let me grab consumables from the farm here in Smithville Dam — a perfect excuse to see how he’d handle water crossings now.

The last time Frank tackled this road, the flooded section was a serious obstacle. This time? Just a mild inconvenience. Consumables loaded, I spun him around and headed for Black River.

Three Routes, One Choice

Once in Black River, I checked my map. To complete the task, I’d need to drop off consumables, pick up wooden planks, and deliver a fuel carrier trailer. My options:

  1. Consumables → Wooden Planks → Trailer
  2. Consumables → Trailer → Wooden Planks
  3. Trailer first, then haul it alongside the consumables straight to the destination

I chose Option 3. Why? Simple — I wanted to see what Frank could do now. If he’d dragged a large fuel carrier trailer to the warehouse before upgrades, surely he could do even better now.

Frank Goes Amphibious

Plotting my course, I took the same route Scout had previously tackled. It turns out Frank is now amphibious — or at least close enough that he handles water without drama. Good to know.

Reaching the trailer, we looped back toward our starting point. The mud tried to slow us, but with all his upgrades, Frank treated it like an irritating speed bump. No winching, no stalling — just steady progress.

Delivery Without Drama

We rolled into the destination without a hitch, dropped off the trailer and consumables, then headed for the lumber mill. Wooden planks loaded, one final short trip sealed the deal. Steel River Supplies completed with minimal hassle and maximum satisfaction. Frank’s test run? A resounding success.

Riverside Repair: The Real Test

I decide to tackle one more task: Riverside Repair. This would be the ultimate test of Frank’s mud and water handling. As expected, he took on the terrain slowly but steadily. Then I stumbled upon a small trick — if I angled the camera just right, I could see a path under the water. Handy.

Then came the real obstacle: barriers and a sign that read Water Over Road. Understatement of the year — it was a full-on river over the road. Frank pushed through, but the climb on the other side was another story. Thick mud locked him in place. Time passed. Progress was a crawl. I was creeping forward, sliding back, winching, and repeating. Just when I thought Frank was doomed to live here forever, this happened:

Yep, he somehow managed to free himself. I feel like he took that notification as a personal attack. The rest of the journey went off without a hitch, although I made sure to take the long way round back. Once I completed Riverside Repair, I turned off Frank’s engine and celebrated a job well done.

Continue the Journey

Day 14 | You are here | Day 16 (Coming Soon)

More from SnowRunner

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Submerged: A Subnautica Survival Diary – Log 3 | The Aurora Problem (and the Leviathan Bigger Problem)

Platform: Steam Deck | Difficulty: Survival

“The Aurora is going to explode…” — my PDA, several minutes before the actual explosion.

Apparently the end of the world comes with buffering. The PDA warned me of the Aurora’s imminent detonation, but the ship took its sweet time about it. Still, that gave me the perfect window to craft my shiny new radiation suit from some creepvine samples. Nothing like the warm embrace of woven seaweed to make you feel safe from lethal fallout.

Once kitted out, I stocked up on the essentials: food, water, fire extinguisher, medkits — the usual “I might die but want to look prepared” loadout. Then, off to the Aurora I went, scanning everything I passed: beacons, Propulsion Cannon fragments, office chairs (because if I’m stranded on an alien ocean planet, I’m at least going to sit comfortably).

The Aurora Expedition

I reached the crash site and was immediately greeted by its new inhabitants — aggressive little crab things who were less than impressed with my knife-waving diplomacy. My PDA informed me I’d need a laser cutter to get deeper inside. Excellent. Another tool I don’t have. Add that to the “future me” problem list right under “stop the Aurora from exploding in 24 hours.”

Current me, however, had a far more pressing issue: I’d lost my flashlight. Somewhere inside the Aurora. One second I’m lighting the way through twisted corridors, the next my light vanishes into the void. After several minutes of frantic backtracking and muttering, I found it lying on the deck. Then, like the professional survivor I am, I immediately dropped it again while trying to equip it. Future me might solve radiation — present me still can’t handle basic inventory management.

The Leviathan Encounter

Deciding I couldn’t progress without a Propulsion Cannon, I returned to the Lifepod to craft one — only to discover I was missing a wiring kit. Which needs silver. Which I didn’t have.
Silver lives in sandstone outcrops, and the area near the Aurora wreck seemed like a logical place to search.

That was a mistake.

Because instead of silver, I found something much bigger. A Leviathan. Don’t ask me which type — I was too busy screaming to file a report. It was fast, loud, and apparently decided I looked like lunch. I bolted. It chased. My health bar became a decorative sliver, and then, for reasons only it knows, it broke off the attack.

I didn’t wait to question my luck. I burned through medkits and bolted home, heart pounding louder than the Aurora’s reactor. The silver can wait. I’m alive, and that’s enough for today — though after my close encounter with the Reaper Leviathan (I finally remembered what it was called), I’m not sure how many more “near misses” my nerves can take.

Log 3 Summary (Steam Deck Edition)

  • Crafted the Radiation Suit before the Aurora explosion
  • Scanned multiple new blueprints, including the Propulsion Cannon
  • Lost my flashlight inside the Aurora (twice)
  • Confirmed: Leviathans exist, and they are very fast
  • Survived a close encounter with one — barely
Continue the journey:
Log 2 |
Log 4 Coming Soon
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🩸 Derailed & Doomed: A Choo Choo Charles Survival Diary Log 3: TNT, Torpedoes & Terrible Timing

Platform: Steam Deck
Rule: Apex Predator (Charles must kill me three times for the run to end)

⚙️ Survival Status: 3 Strikes Total
Only Charles can take them away.
Each egg restores a lost strike — but I can’t exceed three.
When the last one’s gone, the run ends.

“If there’s a bad time to use explosives, I’ll find it.”

I start by doing a quick sweep for guards near the mine that’s supposedly holding ammo for the rocket launcher. Thankfully, no one’s around — which is rare, and suspicious. The entrance itself, however, is locked. Naturally.

My map says, “Find a way in.” Okay, fair enough. I look around and find some TNT. Perfect. If that doesn’t open a door, nothing will.

Important survival lesson: stand further back when lighting TNT. I take a chunk of damage from the blast, and I’m pretty sure Charles just got a notification that I’m being an idiot. If he missed that one, don’t worry — I detonate a second explosive down the tracks. More fire, more noise, more damage to me. Subtlety is dead, but the door isn’t. Yet somehow, the mine opens, and I grab the rockets.

Back to John Smith, who hands over The Boomer. I’m officially armed and ready to make even more bad decisions.

Lighthouse Lunacy

My next bright idea: go exploring. I notice a marker close to the island’s edge. Against every instinct I have, I run for it. Turns out it’s a lighthouse, home to a woman named Claire — who needs the breakers fixed.

There’s a shed nearby with four breakers. Easy enough. I sprint over, slot them in, and head back. Apparently, I “missed a step.” Turns out I need to turn them on, and it’s a little puzzle. Thirty seconds later, lights on, job done. Claire thanks me by saying fixing the lighthouse will help others spot us more easily. Yes, Claire. Including Charles.

I make a break for the train. The moment I mark my next stop, I hear it — that whistle. Round two is on.

Round 2: Return of the Rail Demon

Charles is far more persistent this time. I test out The Boomer and land a few solid hits. He claws, rams, and screeches like he’s auditioning for the next Doom soundtrack. Twice, I think he’s gone, and twice, he charges back in. After burning through some scrap for repairs, I finally drive him off. Victory number two to me.

Feeling cocky, I decide to visit another local — Ronny, who seems like he’s gearing up to tell me his life story. Nope. He just wants me to climb some dangerously tall buildings for a box of papers, promising maybe one scrap as a reward. I climb anyway, find a tin of paint for the train (score), but fail a jump and lose a scrap.

Technically, that did count as a “death” — but since it wasn’t at the claws or wheels of Charles himself, it doesn’t break the Apex Predator Rule. Accidental gravity-assisted injuries are free passes in this run.

After a few more attempts, I decide Ronny’s box isn’t worth the spinal injuries. My train, on the other hand, gets a stylish new coat of paint — a well-earned upgrade after surviving two Charles encounters.

Danger on the Hill

Feeling brave — or stupid, jury’s out — I go for Theodore’s supply box next. Unfortunately, the area’s crawling with Cultists. I spot one and think I’ve figured out his patrol pattern. I haven’t. The second guard ambushes me from uphill. I sprint for the train, but pause to open my map — rookie mistake. The cultist scores a hit.

As I’m running, I hear that familiar whistle again. Charles is awake, and maybe it’s a blessing in disguise that I didn’t grab that box. I dive into my train, patch up, and decide both Theodore’s mission and Ronny’s tower of death can wait.

For now, the plan is simple: find the next closest survivor, avoid blowing myself up again, and maybe, just maybe, make it to Log 4 without turning into train food.

Need a guide? Explore every stop, scrap pile, and spider sighting with the Aranearum Island Map Guide — your unofficial atlas to surviving the rails.

Continue the Journey

← Log 2: Flame, Speed, and Fetch Quests | Log 4 →

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SnowRunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries – Day Fourteen: Suspension Trials & Chevy Rescue Plans

SnowRunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries – Day 14: Suspension Trials & Chevy Rescue Plans

Frank’s New Legs

With Frank’s brand-new raised suspension fitted, I decide today’s the day to finish up The Essentials.
One small problem: Frank’s pointing the wrong way.
The boulder-clearing job from before opened a fresh path, so I follow it — partly to see where it goes, partly to avoid the awkward Austin Powers-style manoeuvring. It leads me to something familiar: another Chevrolet, the very same model I started my SnowRunner journey with.

The Stranded Chevy

I park Frank up alongside and jump in for a look. It’s going to need some upgrades before it’s worth driving… and then I notice the real problem.
It’s in no state to move at all — repairs come first. That makes this a job for Red. For now, I hop back into Frank, wiggle the wheel a few times, and get him facing the right way back toward the garage.

Warehouse Run

Back at the garage, I remember there’s a warehouse in this region with wooden planks. That’s exactly what I need for the farm delivery, and it’s perfect for two reasons:
1. I can see exactly how much fuel Frank burns on a long run.
2. I can avoid those soul-draining loading screens from switching regions.

The road’s a good test for the new suspension too. Frank does take a couple of damage points — entirely my fault for forgetting to flick on AWD — but otherwise glides over the bumps. By the time we reach the warehouse, the fuel gauge says I’ve burned about 45–50 litres. Not bad at all.

Planks on Board

I load Frank up with the planks and set off toward the farm, confident the suspension upgrade was worth every bolt.

The trip back is uneventful until I reach the flooded road leading to the farm. I spot an unflooded road I could have taken… and promptly ignore it, because this is a perfect water test for Frank.
The difference is night and day compared to before — he still struggles a little, but nothing like the swamp-crawling misery of old. The planks are dropped off, and The Essentials is finally complete.

Hungry Workers, Hungrier Roads

With Frank proving himself, I decide to tackle the Hungry Workers task next. Back to the garage for a full tank, then back to the farm for consumables. The road isn’t exactly Frank’s favourite terrain, but we reach the Drilling Site in one piece — and ding! Rank 6 unlocked.

That means one thing: new tyres. All we have to do is get back to the garage.

The Italian Job (SnowRunner Edition)

On the way back, I take an alternate route. Frank decides this is the perfect time to audition for a role in a remake of The Italian Job. One quick winch later, and I save him from early retirement.

Back at the garage, I reward him with a fresh set of All-Terrain Tyres — the perfect ending to a busy, productive day.

Continue the Journey

Day 13 | Day 14 (You Are Here) | Day 15

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