Originally posted by HangarPilot:

No and Yes...

No: "Progression" is tied to boss fights. For example, you must defeat the first boss to get a drop (antlers) that allow you to build a pickaxe. Now you can mine copper/tin to build better gear.

Yes: There are mods/cheats or even cheesy ways to overcome this if that's what you want to do. You could use the "devcommands" and just spawn up an antler (or even a pickaxe) and negate the need for the boss fight. Or, you could just choose to stay at the beginning stage and never progress to mining/copper/tin (but that will limit which biomes you could safely explore).

That said, eating provides HP and stamina boosts ... but you cannot die from not eating. So it kind of depends on what you are looking for as a "survival" experience.

That's very helpful. I am shall we say, a more mature gamer, so my reactions have slowed. I'm not into combat per se. I do like the idea of having to work to survive and either fighting an enemy or running away!

Building, hunting, foraging, farming, mining and fishing are all positive. I'm impressed with the images of some of the structures and boats I've seen created.

I'm not averse to cheating to be able to focus on aspects of the game I think I'd enjoy. :-)