Submerged: A Subnautica Survival Diary โ€“ Entry 15: New Horizons, New Problems

Submerged Entry 15: New Horizons, New Problems

Platform: Steam Deck
Game: Subnautica

Video: Lifepod 7 expedition, Cyclops breakthrough, and selecting the new base location (no commentary)

The first thing on todayโ€™s agenda was finally listening to the radio message I had completely forgotten about during the last entry. The signal came from Lifepod 7. The message itself was not exactly precise, but it did give me something useful to work with: approximately one kilometre from the stern of the Aurora, around 200 metres deep.

Valentino could reach that depth without too much trouble. The bigger issue was everything beyond it. If I wanted to keep pushing deeper into the ocean, I was going to need to improve the Seamothโ€™s depth capabilities properly.

Which meant another trip to the Jellyshroom Caves.

Back Into the Caves

By this point I know the route into the caves well enough that it no longer feels completely alien, although I still would not describe the place as welcoming. Giant glowing mushrooms, abandoned Degassi structures, and the general sense that the entire biome wants to swallow you whole does tend to ruin the atmosphere slightly.

While collecting Magnetite, I noticed a PDA I had somehow missed previously. The logs mentioned another Degassi base deeper within the caves, roughly 250 metres down.

Conveniently, that depth was perfect for Valentino.

Naturally, I went looking for it immediately.

The base itself was partially abandoned, partially destroyed, and still somehow more organised than anything Alterra has left me with so far. I moved through the structure scanning and looting whatever I could find. Amongst the debris were fragments for a Nuclear Reactor, which is potentially useful later, but the real discovery was something else entirely:

A Water Filtration Machine.

That is a massive upgrade for long-term survival. The idea of having a permanent source of clean drinking water inside the base changes things considerably.

Unfortunately, the universe immediately balanced this optimism by informing me the machine requires Aerogel to construct. I still have absolutely no idea how to make that.

So for now, the Water Filtration plans have been pushed onto the increasingly large โ€œfuture problemsโ€ list.

The Stalker Tooth Problem

Returning to base, I turned my attention toward upgrading Valentino properly. The MK2 Depth Module required Enameled Glass, which meant gathering Glass and Stalker Teeth.

Quartz was easy enough to collect. Stalker Teeth were another matter entirely.

At first the Scanner Room refused to cooperate, so I switched the scan to Metal Salvage instead, figuring I could track the Stalkers themselves and wait for a tooth to drop naturally while they played with the scrap.

This approach did not work.

I tried patience. I tried following them around. I even tried encouraging the process slightly more aggressively by ramming them with Valentino and stabbing them with a knife.

Still nothing.

At this point I briefly convinced myself I probably needed a Stasis Rifle for the whole process and headed back toward the Scanner Room in defeat.

Then I noticed it.

The Scanner Room could scan directly for Stalker Teeth.

Suddenly the entire situation became significantly easier.

I switched the scan immediately, headed back outside, and found a tooth almost instantly. Apparently the solution to my problems was simply reading the Scanner Room properly instead of behaving like an underwater caveman for twenty minutes.

Valentino Goes Deeper

With the final materials gathered, the MK2 Depth Module was finally completed and installed into Valentino.

Maximum operating depth: 500 metres.

That is a very significant improvement over the previous 300 metre limit. The deeper parts of the planet suddenly feel far more accessible now, which is either excellent news or a terrible idea.

Probably both.

Lifepod 7

With Valentino upgraded, it was finally time to investigate Lifepod 7 properly. I checked the coordinates again and began making my way toward the stern of the Aurora.

The closer I moved toward the wreck, the more careful I became. I wanted to search thoroughly without drifting too far into open water, particularly considering what lives around the Aurora.

Unfortunately, the local Reaper Leviathan decided to introduce itself anyway.

The thing appeared out of nowhere and chased Valentino for a short distance before somehow losing interest. I still do not entirely understand how we escaped that encounter intact, but I was not about to question my good fortune.

And then, almost immediately afterwards, I saw something far more important resting on the seabed.

The final Cyclops engine fragment.

After all this time, the Cyclops blueprint was finally complete.

Which means I now have another vehicle to eventually construct. More importantly, I now have another vehicle that will eventually require a name.

The Lifepod and the Doll

Eventually I found Lifepod 7 itself, carefully matching the surrounding terrain against the photograph I had been given. Valentino had taken a beating during the earlier encounter, so I stopped briefly to repair the damage before entering the pod itself.

Truthfully, there was not much left inside worth salvaging.

There was, however, one unusual discovery.

A strange doll sitting quietly within the wreckage.

I could not pick it up directly, but I was able to scan it. After checking my blueprints later, it appears I can now build my own version of it.

Something about the doll felt strangely familiar though. It reminded me of someone from another underwater disaster involving another submarine.

If memory serves correctly, things did not end particularly well for them either.

New Base Location

Before heading home, I spent some time surveying the surrounding area carefully. The more I explored near the stern of the Aurora, the more obvious something became.

I need a second base.

The original Mushroom Forest base is still serving me well, but operations are slowly moving further and further away from it. The deeper I push into the planet, the more useful a forward outpost becomes.

Eventually I found the spot I was looking for.

Close enough to the Aurora to support further expeditions. Far enough from the deeper drop-offs to remain manageable. Dangerous enough to feel like a terrible idea.

Perfect.

I dropped a beacon into the seabed and gave it a name:

New Base Location.

That is right.

I am building a new base.

Continue the Journey

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Submerged: A Subnautica Survival Diary โ€“ Entry 14: Return to the Aurora

Submerged Entry 14: Return to the Aurora

Platform: Steam Deck
Game: Subnautica

Video: Aurora return, Prawn Suit fragments, and Neptune Rocket plans (no commentary)

Before heading back to the Aurora, I once again spent some time off-camera scavenging for supplies. Mostly lithium this time, as I wanted to make proper use of the Modification Station. The result is a larger oxygen tank, upgraded fins, and a noticeable improvement in how long I can actually survive underwater without surfacing like a panicked fish every thirty seconds.

Three full minutes of oxygen changes a surprising amount.

I also crafted several fire extinguishers because, unfortunately, the Aurora is still very much on fire.

There were two reasons for returning. The first was the Prawn Suit fragments hidden somewhere inside the wreck. The second was Alterraโ€™s supposed โ€œbackup planโ€ for getting me off the planet, which apparently waited behind a locked door inside the Captainโ€™s Quarters.

Whether escaping is actually possible while infected and living under the watchful eye of a giant alien cannon is another matter entirely.

Approaching the Wreck

I climbed into Valentino and made my way toward the Aurora once again. The closer I got, the more the entire wreck seemed to dominate the horizon. Even after previous visits, the thing still feels less like a crashed ship and more like a warning.

At one point I seriously considered turning around altogether. A Leviathan was swimming nearby, somewhere beneath the waterline, and although I do not think it actually spotted me, I had no interest in testing that theory in open water.

Valentino survived the trip regardless, and eventually the familiar wreckage came into view.

Cave Crawlers and Corporate Fire Hazards

The first order of business inside the Aurora was dealing with Cave Crawlers, which mostly involved launching them into the distance using the Propulsion Cannon. I do not think that mechanic will ever stop being entertaining. There is something deeply satisfying about watching tiny hostile creatures suddenly achieve low orbit.

Beyond that came the usual combination of burning corridors, blocked pathways, and scattered debris. I moved crates out of the way, emptied fire extinguishers into active flames, and slowly pushed deeper into the wreck.

Along the way I found a code for a nearby door and, naturally, immediately abandoned all restraint and grabbed everything that was not physically attached to the walls.

Returning with upgraded oxygen capacity also made a noticeable difference. For once, I could actually stop to explore rooms properly instead of constantly checking my remaining air supply every few seconds.

I even found another flashlight, which is reassuring considering my current one has probably suffered enough abuse already.

The Prawn Suit Bay

Eventually I found what I had really come for: the Prawn Suits.

The bay itself was still partially on fire, which meant carefully weaving between flames while scanning fragments as quickly as possible. One by one the blueprints started coming together until, after four scans, the final piece clicked into place.

The Prawn Suit was now fully unlocked.

Which means at some point soon I am going to need to build one. More importantly, I am going to need to think of a name for it.

Somewhere during all this, I also noticed I had another radio transmission waiting back at base. Naturally, I completely forgot about it again until the recording had already finished.

Alterraโ€™s Escape Plan

After securing the Prawn Suit fragments, I continued moving room to room through the Aurora, embracing my role as the oceanโ€™s least qualified salvage expert. If something was not nailed down, it went into my inventory. If it was scannable, I scanned it.

Eventually I reached the Captainโ€™s Quarters, although actually getting inside proved more difficult than expected because I somehow managed to forget where the code was stored despite knowing full well I already had it.

Eventually common sense prevailed, the code was entered correctly, and inside waited Alterraโ€™s emergency solution to the entire situation:

Blueprints for a rocket.

I appreciate the optimism. Unfortunately, there are still several problems with this plan.

Firstly, I am infected with something unpleasant.

Secondly, there is still a giant alien cannon on the island that already demonstrated very clearly what happens to anything attempting to leave the planet.

So while the Neptune Rocket plans are useful, I would not exactly call them an immediate solution.

Return to Base

Eventually I fought my way back through the Aurora and returned to Valentino. The trip back to base was quieter, although the closer I got to home, the more obvious another problem became.

The current base is starting to feel small.

Between the Scanner Room, Moonpool, Bioreactor, storage space, and everything else I keep dragging back from expeditions, the operation is beginning to outgrow the original layout.

I am now seriously considering either heavily expanding the current base or establishing a second outpost somewhere further from the Mushroom Forest.

Before any of that though, I need to figure out exactly what components are required to craft the Prawn Suit.

And perhaps more importantly, I should probably listen to that radio message.

Continue the Journey

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Submerged: A Subnautica Survival Diary โ€“ Entry 13: Expanding the Operation

Submerged Entry 13: Expanding the Operation

Platform: Steam Deck
Game: Subnautica

Video: Base upgrades, Scanner Room expansion, wreck exploration, and Modification Station progress (no commentary)

Well, it has been some time since I last sat down to document anything properly, but that is not to say nothing has been happening. Quite the opposite, actually. I simply decided nobody needed to watch several uninterrupted hours of me digging through limestone chunks looking for copper and titanium while muttering at fish.

So before heading back out into the ocean properly, a quick tour of the base is probably in order.

Since the last entry, the place has expanded quite a bit. A few additional rooms have gone up, reinforcements have been installed, the Scanner Room is now fully operational, and perhaps most importantly of all, the base no longer feels like a temporary survival shelter waiting to collapse the moment the lights flicker.

I also finally got a Bioreactor up and running. At the moment I am using Bulbo Trees to keep it supplied, which means the plants are now serving three separate purposes at once: food, water, and power generation. I have accidentally built a surprisingly efficient underwater ecosystem entirely fuelled by leaves and poor decision making.

For the first time since arriving on this planet, the operation feels self-sufficient.

Scanner Room Operations

The Scanner Room has quickly become the centrepiece of the entire base. I still wanted one final upgrade for it though: another Scan Range Module. The idea of turning the thing into a giant underwater radar station was simply too tempting to ignore.

To put it to work, I set the scanner to search for limestone chunks. Technically I could have told it to search directly for Copper Ore, but during testing I realised the scanner mostly highlighted the larger deposits that require a Prawn Suit to drill into. That will be useful later. Right now though, I still needed copper the old-fashioned way.

The current objective was the Modification Station. I had already discovered a wreck during earlier exploration that supposedly contained the fragments I needed. Whether the Scanner Room would actually be able to find it once fully upgraded was another matter entirely, but I had a plan for that if things went wrong.

Return to the Jellyshroom Caves

Before heading for the wreck, I made a detour into the Jellyshroom Caves. I had already placed a beacon there earlier, which meant I could navigate directly back to the entrance without wandering around the ocean floor like a confused tourist.

The target this time was Magnetite. I already knew future upgrades would need it, even if I was not entirely sure how many. In Subnautica, the answer is usually โ€œmore than you currently have.โ€

The caves still feel wrong every time I enter them. The glowing mushrooms, the strange silence, the sense that the entire biome is quietly waiting for something unpleasant to happen. Still, the Magnetite was there, and after grabbing what I could carry, I headed back to base before the local wildlife decided I had overstayed my welcome.

Power Problems That Arenโ€™t Actually Problems Yet

Interestingly, the Bioreactor has not really needed to do much heavy lifting so far. Most of the power demands are still being handled by the solar panels above the base. The reactor mostly sits there quietly, waiting for the day I inevitably expand this place into something far larger than originally intended.

Which, if I am being honest, is probably unavoidable at this point.

The 500 Metre Disappointment

Once the final Scan Range Module was installed, the Scanner Room finally hit its maximum range of 500 metres. Naturally, the first thing I did was set it to search for wrecks.

The wreck I needed was outside the range.

Of course it was.

Thankfully, I already knew roughly where to find it. Along the way, I stumbled across some kind of alien vent structure. I still have absolutely no idea what it actually does, but I scanned it anyway because that is apparently how I deal with ancient alien technology now.

The wreck itself sat just beyond the edge of the Mushroom Forest. Inside, amongst the twisted metal and scattered debris, were exactly the fragments I had been searching for.

The Modification Station was finally within reach.

Technology Recovery Operations

The wreck turned out to be far more useful than expected. Alongside the Modification Station fragments, I also recovered blueprints for a Reinforced Dive Suit and an upgrade module for the Cyclops. The deeper I push into this planet, the more obvious it becomes that the game expects me to start preparing for much harsher environments.

Most importantly though, recovering the Modification Station fragments meant one thing: the Seamoth MK2 Depth Module was now possible.

Well. Almost possible.

Back at base, I realised I was still missing a Computer Chip. Which meant I needed Copper Wire. Which meant another quick trip using the Scanner Room to locate limestone chunks because apparently every major technological breakthrough on this planet eventually comes down to me desperately searching for copper.

Still, after one final scavenging trip, the Modification Station was finally constructed and operational.

Future Plans

I am still debating whether this base eventually needs a second Scanner Room. My current theory is that if I expand the base far enough in the opposite direction, I could effectively create overlapping scan coverage and push the search range even further across the surrounding biomes.

At the moment, that is still just theory.

Next time though, the plan is clear.

I am returning to the Aurora.

The goal is simple: recover enough fragments to finally get a Prawn Suit operational. Because if this planet insists on hiding everything useful in increasingly hostile depths, I may as well start preparing properly for the descent.

Continue the Journey

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Submerged: A Subnautica Survival Diary โ€“ Log 10: Power Problems, Progress, and Valentino

Submerged Log 10: Power Problems, Progress, and Valentino

Platform: Steam Deck

Video: Base building, Moonpool construction, and Seamoth upgrades (no commentary)


The game congratulated me on reaching 100m deep while I was standing in my own base, which is impressive,
considering my floor doesnโ€™t even have a depth rating.

The first thing that happens today is Subnautica having a small moment. I get the โ€œpassed 100mโ€ message like
Iโ€™ve just descended into the abyss, when Iโ€™m very much indoors and pretending my base is a real home and not
a glorified underwater shed. I chalk it up to another glitch. The peeper-in-the-lifepod incident still lives
rent-free in my head.

Glitches aside, Iโ€™ve got one job today: make this new base functional. โ€œPresentableโ€ is ambitious. โ€œNot
embarrassingโ€ is the real target. Step one is a fabricator, because Iโ€™m done doing the lifepod commute every
time I need to make a wire.

Weather / Loot / Mood

  • Weather: Clear enough to trust solar power. Briefly. Foolishly.
  • Loot: Diamond, cave sulfur, titanium (so much titanium), quartz (eventually).
  • Mood: Productive, then annoyed, then productive again. Standard survival rhythm.

A Base Without a Fabricator Is Just a Bad Camping Trip

Once Iโ€™m out gathering materials, the game finally gives me a little kindness: another diamond. Thatโ€™s the
missing piece that turns โ€œsoonโ€ into โ€œtoday,โ€ and suddenly the Laser Cutter isnโ€™t a distant dream anymore.

I head back to the lifepod, dig out my other diamond and the cave sulfur, and just like that: the Laser Cutter
is mine. The Aurora is officially back on the menu, and the Captainโ€™s Quarters is finally starting to look like
a real plan instead of a brave lie I tell myself.

But not yet. Todayโ€™s obsession is still the Moonpool. I can taste it. I can also taste salt water. Both feel
inevitable.

Another Distress Signal, Another โ€œNot Todayโ€

I catch another distress signal, and itโ€™s immediately obvious itโ€™s outside my comfort zone. Itโ€™s not a โ€œnever,โ€
though. Itโ€™s a โ€œgive me five minutes and a better module.โ€

Thatโ€™s the thing about Subnautica. The game doesnโ€™t lock doors โ€” it just points at the ocean and says,
โ€œYou can go there whenever youโ€™re ready.โ€ And then it laughs.

Moonpool Madness (And the Corridor Betrayal)

With the fabricator up and running, the base finally feels like mine. Not long after that, I scrape together
enough titanium for the second ingot I need, which means thereโ€™s nothing left between me and the Moonpool
exceptโ€ฆ building placement drama.

I try to be sensible. I build a corridor so the Moonpool can connect neatly, like a planned base and not a
panic build. The game disagrees. It refuses to attach, refuses to cooperate, and refuses to respect my desire
for symmetry.

So I remove the corridor, try again, and suddenly itโ€™s happy. Of course it is. The Moonpool finally goes down
and I donโ€™t even hesitate โ€” I dock the Seamoth immediately and give it the charge it deserves.

Power: The Problem I Created on Purpose

The moment I dock, reality hits: the Seamoth is now drinking my base power like itโ€™s a free refill station.
And my base power is currently solar.

Which means when the sun goes down, my base turns into a very modern art installation: โ€œDarkness, But With
Regret.โ€

I need another solar panel. Simple. Easy. Except for one tiny detail: quartz.

I know where quartz is. I just canโ€™t find the routes to the places I know have it, which is a very
specific kind of frustration. Eventually, I stumble into the right area, collect what I need, and the second
panel goes up. The base breathes again.

Mobile Vehicle Bay: Why Is It Like That?

Next up is the Mobile Vehicle Bay. I get it crafted and deployed, and immediately have to accept a hard truth:
it will never be centred the way my brain wants it to be.

I take the win anyway, because Iโ€™m here for upgrades โ€” and the one Iโ€™ve been eyeing for a while is finally
within reach: the Seamoth Depth Module MK1.

The Depth Module, and My Sudden Forgetfulness

Another salvage trip follows. I grab the titanium, head back, and in the excitement I immediately forget the
part where titanium becomes an ingot.

So I do an unplanned little jog back to the fabricator like Iโ€™m running errands in a shopping centre, except
the shopping centre is the ocean and the parking lot is trying to kill me.

Once the ingot is made, the depth module goes in, and suddenly 300m is on the table. Thatโ€™s not just a number.
Thatโ€™s permission to go looking for trouble in places I previously pretended didnโ€™t exist.

Valentino, Paint Jobs, and Immediate Karma

With the Moonpool built and the module installed, I decide itโ€™s time to make the Seamoth feel like it belongs
to me. It needs a name. It needs a fresh look. It needsโ€ฆ not to be treated like a bumper car.

I take it out to repair it, because it has a few dents from my usual โ€œprecision docking.โ€ I fix it up, feel
proud, immediately damage it again, repair it again, and dock it back in the Moonpool like nothing happened.

The name, at least, is locked in. I called it earlier in the series and Iโ€™m sticking to it:
Valentino.

The colour, though? No idea. I know itโ€™s possible. I just donโ€™t know how to do it yet. Hopefully by next time
Iโ€™ll have figured it out, and Valentino can stop looking like a default rental.

Next Steps

  • Head back to the Aurora and finally use that Laser Cutter like it wasnโ€™t made for decoration.
  • Figure out how to change Seamoth colours, because I refuse to be beaten by a paint menu.
  • Start tracking down rocket blueprints, because โ€œescapeโ€ is technically the goal. Allegedly.

Continue the journey

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Next: Submerged Log 11

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

The Backyard Trials: Grounded Permadeath โ€“ Day Three

The lasers are fixed, the oak tree explodes, and my survival odds finally start looking upโ€ฆ until a Crab Weaver reminds me whoโ€™s in charge. Day 3 brings progress, panic, and a near-death lesson about checking my map.

Missed day two? You can find what happened here: The Backyard Trials Day Two


The Wire Chewers

With the mysterious laser issue still unresolved, I decide todayโ€™s the day I track down the problem. A short hike later, I find the culprit: lawn mites have developed a taste for high-powered laser wiring. Excellent.

I follow the damaged wire underground, spear in hand, clearing out every mite that dares cross my path. Eventually, I reach a rock wall marked with a hammer symbol โ€” a clear message from the backyard itself: โ€œCome back when you’re better equipped.โ€ Noted.

As I head back topside, I spot one final mite chewing away. One quick jab andโ€”problem solved. The laser is fixed. Victory! Soon, Iโ€™ll be big again! (Or so I naively believe.)


Press The Buttonโ€ฆ What Could Go Wrong?

I return to the mysterious machine, filled with hope. I press the button. The lasers power up, align… and then the oak tree explodes. That wasnโ€™t part of the plan.

New objective: Investigate the oak tree.
Of course it is.


Panic, Maps, and Lessons Learned

Not entirely sure how to get to the oak tree, I open my map to drop a waypoint for my base camp. Thatโ€™s when the game teaches me a very valuable permadeath lesson:

The map does not pause the game.

Right as Iโ€™m happily setting my waypoint, the words Threat Detected! flash up. I close the map andโ€”surprise!โ€”a Crab Weaver is charging directly at me. My tactical response? Immediate and panicked retreat.

Pro tip for future runs: check your surroundings before opening the map.


Juice, Science, and Helmets

On my retreat, I have a small moment of clarityโ€”I actually already have a hammer. So technically, I couldโ€™ve broken that underground wall earlier. Thatโ€™s a tomorrow problem.

I do, however, discover a giant juice box while escaping, which might help solve my ongoing water concerns. Small wins.

With hammer in hand, I head back to the wire tunnel, smash through the blocked path, and find 500 raw science waiting for me. Iโ€™m starting to feel like a backyard archaeologist.

Back at base, I cook up some meat (and immediately learn that cooked food spoils fast), craft myself an ant helmet to boost my carrying strength, and research a few more materials. More blueprints unlock, and for the first time, I feel cautiously optimistic about my survival chances.


The Next Task: Grubs

As night falls, I spot something burrowing under the ground. A little research tells me these are grubs, and Iโ€™ll need a shovel to dig them up.

Tomorrowโ€™s mission: craft a shovel and go grub hunting.


If you want to know more about this, please checkout the The Backyard Trials: Grounded Permadeath page

Customloper: The Long Dark Challenge That Outlasted the Challenge

For the past 6โ€“7 months, Iโ€™ve been running a custom difficulty mode in The Long Dark. The goal was simple: I wanted to keep the spirit of Voyageurโ€”but with a dose of Stalker and a blast of Interloper.. After testing and tweaking, hereโ€™s where I landed:

  • Voyageur-level of loot – because scrounging should feel rewarding
  • Wildlife set between Voyageur and Stalker – you’re not safe, but you’re not helpless
  • Interloper weather – cold enough to regret every decision

It wasn’t meant to be a thing, but after two runs, it kind of is:

  • My first run ended in Forlorn Muskeg, trying to reach Mountain Town after coming back from the Airfield. Spoiler alert: The ice got me again. I think I lasted maybe a week in-game
  • The other? I’m sitting at around 60 days, and still alive in Mystery Lake… but after dropping four bears, I realised I might have broken the game’s spirit before it broke mine.

So now I’m bringing my Customloper game to the blog properly.

Coming Soon:

  • A full breakdown of every setting I use
  • The actual Customloper code so you can try it yourself
  • A brand new Day One Diary โ€“ Because I honestly can’t remember anything about my original first day
  • Plus survival tips for weather that makes Interloper look like light snow

This isnโ€™t Interloper.
Itโ€™s Interloper with optionsโ€”and that might be even more dangerous.

Waitโ€”Isnโ€™t This Blog About Easier Survival?

It is. And that hasnโ€™t changed.
Customloper isnโ€™t about going full Interloper. Itโ€™s about dialing in a challenge that keeps things tense but playable. Think of it as controlled chaosโ€”for players who want pressure without the permadeath purgatory.

Think you can survive it? The full code drops soon. Stay tuned

Skyrim Survival Mode โ€“ Day 4 Teaser: Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Frost

Teaser for Day 4 of my Skyrim Survival Mode run. Cold weather, fireballs, and one very overworked Argonian.

On Day 4, I leave Whiterun behind in search of adventure, loot, and maybe a bit of common sense (no luck there). But what I do find: hostile mages, freezing winds, and the dawning realization that maybe necromancy is the best form of pest control.

Full entry lands Saturday.
Bring a torch. Trust me.

Skyrim Day 3 Incoming + Blog Updates!

Skyrim Survival โ€“ Day 3 drops this Wednesday. After reaching Whiterun, I get caught up in the cityโ€™s favorite pastime: dragon slaying. Spoilerโ€”my attempt at stealth archery is about as subtle as a mammoth in a library.

In the meantime, the blogโ€™s had a few upgrades:

  • The Skyrim Hub is now live! Itโ€™s the central place for the full survival run and all related content.
  • The Long Dark Hub Itโ€™s the central place for the full survival run and all related content.
  • The Graveyard is openโ€”every permadeath now gets logged, labelled, and (lightly) mocked.
  • The FAQ page answers burning questions like โ€œWhy the Switch?โ€ and โ€œWas that death avoidable?โ€ (Usually: yes.)

New contentโ€™s coming. Expect chaos. Bring your torch.

โ€”

The Long Dark Beginner’s Guide is Now Live!

Just starting out in The Long Dark on Nintendo Switch? Cold, hungry, and not sure what youโ€™re doing? Iโ€™ve got you covered.

The Beginnerโ€™s Guide is now liveโ€”and it walks you through:

โ— Choosing the right difficulty

โ— Where to start (hint: not on a mountain)

โ— Managing warmth, hunger, thirst, and rest

โ— Understanding the User Hub

โ— What to actually do in your first in-game week


Plus, thereโ€™s a full controls table and region map to stop you from wandering in circles.

Click here to read the full guide

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