I have sunk hundreds of hours in this game. It is so good! I first picked it up for free when Epic Games launched. I loved it so much I bought it again on Steam.

The game doesn't hold your hand. Lots of people give up because they don't know what to do. I recommend getting the repair tool and repairing the radio in the pod. From there, you'll get some signals telling you to do things. Beyond that, sit down and read the clues in your PDA. I mean it about sitting down: While sitting, your thirst/hunger timers are paused.

There is a plot, but how much of it you discover is up to you. It's not linear in nature.