TFTDT- my two penn'orth, FWIW *SPOILERS*

[Valuable Hunting Knife]

So, I mentioned on the 'what will you do first' thread that I planned to go in on stalker after a random spawn.  I pretty much stuck to that, except the part where I was going to grab lots of birch bark and some sort of weight upgrade- too impatient after the initial download issues! This was a mistake to say the least, although I have had an epic struggle with the elements to somehow survive to the point I'm ready to leave the region.

I'm now at about 95% of the region, and I think all main areas mapped, having resisted the urge to duck out and resupply/upskill and then return.  I've seen a couple of comments about the airfield feeling rushed or unfinished, but I don't think it is.  it took me a couple of days to appreciate it, but to me it seems to be a normal region stretched, like dough- there's just so much more empty space.  Imagine Desolation Point, but on the scale of Pleasant Valley. A couple of times I pushed on towards an unmapped corner, thinking 'there must be some shelter as I'm so far from the last structure- I was usually wrong.  I think it's a really brave decision by HL, and also indicates a certain level of trust and respect for their audience.  What could become dull or boring is just another subtle layer of challenge and narrative.

I ended up having one of my best ever TLD moments, with two broken ankles and imminent insomnia, heading towards a cabin I spied in the far distance from a fishing hut(and in this region the far distance is a hell of a long way away), only be enveloped by glimmer fog.  with food about to run out (which would have crippled me further due to my lack of weight bonuses apart from well fed) freezing cold and with night coming and too windy for a fire- I 'd taken lots of coal, but that's no good without even a friendly rock face for cover.

Suddenly, I hit a road, made a choice to head right rather than left, and miraculously staggered into a cosy lodge with just enough supplies to get through the night.

Ah yes, the insomnia- my one disappointment so far.  Frankly, it's not really a worry, which given that it appears central to the plan of the region, is a shame.  As far as I know there is only one area in the region where you can avoid it, and the idea is you plan your treks accordingly.  But having had insomnia a couple of times, it is a best a mild inconvenience- you may wake up, but you just go back to sleep again. I can imagine at 'loper level it may be more of an issue, if you are managing calories to recover daytime loss, but at stalker and below it's not now something I have to allow for.  Personally, I'd be quite happy for this affliction to be tweaked to be more of an issue in later updates.

I can see why there has been some disappointment at the lack of initial content in the DLC (although I was happy enough with what was there at launch) , and in an ideal world I wouldn't be having to go back into the airfield just to try out some new features in the future.  I also wonder how things like acorns will affect the balance of the region (perhaps a legitimate point in terms of it feeling 'unfinished'?).  I think those who hold off until the whole DLC is available will probably get the best initial experience, but realistically I know I don't have the willpower for that

Overall, when taken on it's own merits I think Field 31 is a masterpiece, and I really also hope it is a clue to the direction HL goes with other projects/TLD 2.  With more powerful graphics etc. to give you a bit more for the eye, the more realistic sparseness of these wilderness areas could be amazing to experience and survive in.  Has anyone else spotted the hints at what the 3rd region in the DLC will be- if not, take a look in the train station in the hub (I love the old Victorian style fireplace inn there, btw).

Finally, here's my top tips for anyone who is not a hardcore 'loper+ survivor going into the airfield for the first time:

• As much carry capacity as you can get!
• if possible upskill- make every calorie or kill count, you'll need it
• There's a few wolves, but mainly your weaponry is going to be for hunting rather than self defence
• If you're planning on mapping, you're gonna need a lot of charcoal!
• Don't freak out at the insomnia warning (see above). It's not the end of the world
• Carry enough stuff to make a snow shelter (there is a lot of cloth about)
• Bring lots of calories with you, and try to keep at least a days worth of lightweight, high calorie food for an emergency when exploring, with replacements available at your main base base
• BRING BIRCH BARK!
• The Delta in BI is good training for the airfield

Good luck all, and interested to see how our initial perceptions of this region will change over time and as we get more of the DLC.  Also wishing all at HL a well deserved break, and I really hope the launch day download issue wasn't too stressful!

cheers

VHK

[Sherri]

Great overview. 

I've personally started a new save with a ML spawn. Taking my sweet time to stock up and level up. Planning to not rush to the new regions and maybe not even get there till the next release of the DLC. There might be more for when I go there.

So far my favourite non-new-region feature are the memento notes which reveal interesting spots/caches on your map. I like having a goal to head out for. A nice touch that both makes you feel less alone (look, other people were here!) but simultaneously more alone because all these people are now gone.  And with the game world getting SO huge and thus harder for more casual players to memorize things... these little map markers for important destinations are very welcome.

Edited December 10, 2022 by Sherri

[Ruruwawa]

Good stuff.  I'm still working my way to the new region.  I started in AC for the carry bonus and crampons and I've been slowly working my way west.  The memento notes have been a fun distraction, and the changes to the loot system mean I have to search farther afield for the gear I want.  I finally have weapons, but the moose seem to be have evaporated.  >_<  So maybe a detour to HRV for the satchel before I head into the far away parts of Great Bear.

@Valuable Hunting KnifeThanks for the tips.  Re birch bark, can I find it in FA? 

[Valuable Hunting Knife]

2 hours ago, Ruruwawa said:

Good stuff.  I'm still working my way to the new region.  I started in AC for the carry bonus and crampons and I've been slowly working my way west.  The memento notes have been a fun distraction, and the changes to the loot system mean I have to search farther afield for the gear I want.  I finally have weapons, but the moose seem to be have evaporated.  >_<  So maybe a detour to HRV for the satchel before I head into the far away parts of Great Bear.

@Valuable Hunting KnifeThanks for the tips.  Re birch bark, can I find it in FA? 

didn't find any, and not much/any in BR & FM AFAIK.  If you are going to HRV my humble suggestion would be to then loot as much food as you can in Milton, head back towards trappers getting the coal in the transition cave, then it's worth making the trip across ML to ravine to stock up on birch bark.  Hopefully the extra prep time will tip the survival/exploration ratio in your favour when you do hit the airfield.  Good luck!

I've found a few memento notes but have yet to follow them up and get the loot. that's my next target, although of course I got moose stomped as soon as I got out of the far territory so currently holed up in BR lodge...

[Ruruwawa]

4 hours ago, Valuable Hunting Knife said:

didn't find any, and not much/any in BR & FM AFAIK.  If you are going to HRV my humble suggestion would be to then loot as much food as you can in Milton, head back towards trappers getting the coal in the transition cave, then it's worth making the trip across ML to ravine to stock up on birch bark.  Hopefully the extra prep time will tip the survival/exploration ratio in your favour when you do hit the airfield.  Good luck!

I've found a few memento notes but have yet to follow them up and get the loot. that's my next target, although of course I got moose stomped as soon as I got out of the far territory so currently holed up in BR lodge...

My save is parked in ML atm so I can easily stock up on birch bark before moving on.  Thanks again for the tip!  Also, the snow shelter tip.  It's been years since I've used one but I enjoyed using them in my first runs when interloper was released, where they were critical.  You've got me excited.

Back at you, a tip about memento notes.  Memento notes come in two flavors - "cache" and "hint."  Hints lead to an important place like the transition cave to another region.  Caches lead to an hidden + unlocked loot spot, or a locked box.  Where a key is needed I've found it next to the note.   The note can be in a different zone, zing!

The map tooltips in AC > TWM > PV said which type of memento was, very handy.  The tooltip for the note I found in ML had the first words of the note instead.  Since we've had a number of patches to the game since I started this run I'm not sure whether the ML note represents a new way of showing the markers, or just a different implementation by region.  In any case, you can usually deduce which it is from the context of the note.

[Valuable Hunting Knife]

11 minutes ago, Ruruwawa said:

My save is parked in ML atm so I can easily stock up on birch bark before moving on.  Thanks again for the tip!  Also, the snow shelter tip.  It's been years since I've used one but I enjoyed using them in my first runs when interloper was released, where they were critical.  You've got me excited.

Back at you, a tip about memento notes.  Memento notes come in two flavors - "cache" and "hint."  Hints lead to an important place like the transition cave to another region.  Caches lead to an hidden + unlocked loot spot, or a locked box.  Where a key is needed I've found it next to the note.   The note can be in a different zone, zing!

The map tooltips in AC > TWM > PV said which type of memento was, very handy.  The tooltip for the note I found in ML had the first words of the note instead.  Since we've had a number of patches to the game since I started this run I'm not sure whether the ML note represents a new way of showing the markers, or just a different implementation by region.  In any case, you can usually deduce which it is from the context of the note.

Grand, thanks! I've now had one cache, but wasn't aware of the hint variant, so will look out for those

[Admin]

Thank you for your feedback. And we look forward to seeing all your screenshots in the Far Territory! 

[Valuable Hunting Knife]

Just spotted my error in the title of this post.  It was of course a typo, and not my brain confusing the new region with the 'dark territory' of Under Siege 2... 😕