

One of the beauties of the game is that there are essentially 4 game play modes, all of which have their own challenges, gameplay requirements, and unfold the world in unique ways: solo, PVE, PVE-C and PVP. You can do the multiplayer part straight away, but especially if it's competitive (PVP), it's a real help to know your way around and what to do to get there and when you get there. I would also advise you to start playing solo to begin, so you can get the concepts and mechanics of the survival part of the gameplay down before you branch off into the multiplayer sections. I still find it, after all this time, to be engaging, challenging, and I generally find something new or that I didn't see before. Sometimes, especially after all the time I've spent (since EA) in game, it's just refreshing to wander the landscape and see it in it's original unsullied form. I usually play multiplayer (PVP or PVE-C) but those times when I can't connect or know I'm not going to have enough time to devote to something I want to accomplish, I do play offline. I can't stop playing it strangely enough (and I just started about 2 months ago) :) I hope you enjoy it like we all do if you start. I have never played Rust or Minecraft but I feel this is the best mmo / building game but for adults and you can customize your own offline server (or online if you wish). felt like a true explorer knowing I am the only true human here and night is dangerous and deadly. Working on my 2nd base (huge) up in the Highlands, been all across the world. I have spent over 500 hours now in my single player game and love it. great places to explore and build however you wish.

There is a lot to learn on crafting and all you can do. I prefer single player offline since my internet is not great. You could join a clan and do battles vs other clans. Large clans can beat you down and ruin your experience. The online part is where other players can create bases and attack you. I started out on "brutal" settings and reduced it a little when I hit level 60 to be evenly fair me vs the enemies (they were hitting so hard) but it is perfectly balanced now. I set Thrall and crafting time much lower (happens faster). I set no loss of loot on death (it was buggy and I don't really miss it). On my personal settings, I set days, dawns and nights longer. (only cheat to build massive bases) it isn't so bad. You can cheat in sp mode but if you restrict yourself to not do that or limit it and never give yourself weapons, armor, items. They are adding new dungeons and content each patch. the challenge to build and over come in the world of harshness is a challenge. It can be lonely but once you accept that fact. Anything I build cannot be destroyed by griefers / other people. I control the world, I control the server and settings. It can be hard being solo but I enjoy it for these reasons.
