Are you meant to die after ~30 seconds your first life on a new game? Second life I can usually manage to upgrade the scanner before dying, and the third life maybe find enough sodium to accomplish anything at all. Is that how the game is? Hours of constantly dying and trying to survive? And it looks like dying too many times re-damaged the scanner, so I need to start over.

I learned my lesson about trying to find a cave or something. I died without accomplishing anything when I tried that.

It's just to learn the ropes. Follow the instructions and you'll quickly find out how to survive long enough to find your ship. After that, it'll become a piece of cake and easier still as you proceed further and further.

Don't be deterred by the first few minutes... It'll never be as bad again I promise :D

Oh and another thing, make sure you start the game in "normal" (not survival or permadeath) and start collecting ferrite dust the moment the game allows you to move around. Then repair your scanner as soon and you can and run for the nearest sodium plant.

If you are efficient, it's basically impossible to die... And as I said once you reach your ship you're home free with a save to come back to.

It also depends on the type of planet the game randomy gives you, some are a bit more harsh than others. Your next new start may be a bit more forgiving.

But follow Sophia's advice and you will be a lot happier soon after, mine ferrite, fix scanner, find ship and dont daudle, while you are running to ship scan for sodium along the way and top up your health, then move your a*** :)

It's also not a terrible idea to begin with a Creative mode game. That gives you the chance to become familiar with the mechanics of the game in a relatively stress free environment. There's also time there to configure the controls and other options to your own preferences. Once you are comfortable with your exosuit and multitool, then it's time to launch a new save slot.

There's nothing lost by beginning with a Creative save, since that save slot can be deleted if desired to make room. I find it handy, even now, to keep one Creative slot available to experiment with base building and to fool with things.

Couple tips:

1) If you go into photo mode (X key, then all the way to the right), this pauses the game. You take no damage. You can pan the camera around, zoom out, and survey what's available nearby. That way you can spot sodium rich plants, caves, etc. so you can head for those asap.

2) Learn the 'melee boost', which allows you to move much faster. This involves timing the presses of the space bar and Q key while running (they're not simultaneous presses, but very close). When you get the hang of it, this will give a real speed boost with the jet pack, so you cover more ground quickly.

3) If you still have trouble staying alive, crank up a new start and try this: just run straight to your ship. A lot of people don't realize it, but when you finally gain control of your character after the opening cut scene, you're actually facing your ship. You can run straight ahead (if you know how to do the melee boost) and make it to your ship without dying. You'll take damage, but you definitely have enough time to make it. I have a video of me doing this in Permadeath if you're interested. You can take a look Here. It's less than 3 minutes long.

That's awesome TerriblePurpose, I must try that next time. Nice video!

I would like to add that the game makes you wait at the beginning of any new game. By the time you can move, you are good ways toward death before you can do anything.