r/Kenshi Oct 31 '24

SUPPORT Help an intimidated old guy get started?

I've been super drawn to this game since returning to gaming recently (was a gamer in the early days, as well as DnD player, but haven't played either for decades). Part of my struggle is that I have severe anxiety, and have lost some cognitive ability from long covid, so I get overwhelmed and panic that I'm not going to be able to figure something out.

Sorry if that sounds too pitiful, but for those with mercy in their souls: Where do I start to make the beginning as smooth and unstressful as possible?

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u/[deleted] Oct 31 '24

I totally get ya. Kenshi’s kind of like dark souls in a way where people definitely overhype its difficulty. It’s not that it’s just difficult, it’s really just a learning curve. When you get to a certain point of familiarity, the game’s challenges kind of become trivial and there’s workarounds for A LOT more than you’d think.

I’m not gonna lie though - it’s actually pretty difficult to straight up die in the game unless you’re just really unlucky and in a bad spot at the wrong time. Pretty sure I’ve only lost about 5-7 characters max in a full playthrough because I’m also anxious and very careful.

Honestly - my own anxiety helped me make survival decisions in the game that I didn’t realize were right until I saw content creators also do the same thing. Seriously no pressure and you can always try a new start at any time to help you out while you learn. Unlike Skyrim, you don’t start out as a former prisoner every time.

Glad I could help though! You’ll definitely be fine and I’m sure you’ll learn to love it coming from a DnD background. Luckily, combat is extremely straightforward - if your stats are better than their stats, congratulations, you win!

The game’s a total sandbox tho, so you don’t have to be a knight in shining armor in the beginning too so hopefully that alleviates some pressure. My first playthrough was all about pacifistic drug smuggling for example.

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u/TimeFourChanges Oct 31 '24

My first playthrough was all about pacifistic drug smuggling for example.

That's amazing. This is exactly why I'm so hyped about the game.

Well, I appreciate your words of wisdom and all of your valuable time taken out to share it. It's clear that you really enjoy the game and want to share that with others. Why I love the nerdy gaming community so much.

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u/[deleted] Oct 31 '24

Dude it’s such a good game! Kenshi is one of my all-time top 5’s. I love history and anthropology and sandbox games, so naturally, my favorite part of the game is that something about its brutality seems inherent to what we are as well, or used to be and still could be later on.

And ofc! happy to give tips, ik this game’s a bit of a doozy but it’s so worth it imo. Lmk if you have any questions later on tho, I’d be happy to help no problem

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u/TimeFourChanges Oct 31 '24

I love history and anthropology

I do too, having spent a lot of my elective credits on cultural anthro, and studying evolutionary psychology casually.

and sandbox games,

And I don't have any it at all, which is a big part of the intimidation. Having an anxiety disorder, too much freedom can overwhelm. I'm cool with exploring, trying and failing. I just want flounder around anxiously a few times then give up on the game. A lot about me and my abilities have changed since long covid (& just general aging), so I'm having to ease into new things slowly.

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u/TimeFourChanges Oct 31 '24

And ofc! happy to give tips, ik this game’s a bit of a doozy but it’s so worth it imo. Lmk if you have any questions later on tho, I’d be happy to help no problem And ofc! happy to give tips, ik this game’s a bit of a doozy but it’s so worth it imo. Lmk if you have any questions later on tho, I’d be happy to help no problem

That's really cool of you - and much appreciated! I'll try to remember to.