So after a bad start where my party got lost and froze to death I put my gaming woollen hat on and started again.
So I raided everything this time and spent a good couple of minute splitting out my equipment and armed everyone (no knife for you this time doc). And most importantly I got the sextant (which was my own fault for not grabbing it the first time).
Even though the controls are clunky I'm really enjoying them, it feels like the kind of game you play wit a drink in one hand. I also have a pad of paper next to me to note the coordinates and notes down, as this game really doesn't repeat itself. On that note, I had to load after I met Dibbs at the first ship as I couldn't remember what I asked him to get the list of groups, so now I'm making a note of keywords to ask people.
The combat took me a short time to get use to as a couple of times the combat switch didn't engage automatically so my team were not fighting back, and I'm staying clear of the shot gun for the time being.
Also it might just be me and having been spoilt by new games and DnD, but I find it weird that I can't see the stats of item (it might be in the manuals so I'll read them in full tomorrow). So I'm having to make educated guess on which items to use, which is actually kind of exciting, plus it means I don't stop at each item check the values and re-maximise my team.
I think I don't need to sleep but I have just got to my first night so we shall see. I'm also going the "wrong way" around Mars as I could see a direct route to my destination so we shall see it that works.
Two things I do like, the money being the oxy-rocks that you need to survive, it makes money a little more useful and story related. The one save game adds an element of danger to the game and makes it a bit more tense.
So overall a nice old school, no hand holding feel which I have missed.
tomorrow try and talk to a machine.

Sleep is needful. Sleep lets you heal. Sometimes you even get dreams so you can improve our skills (read level up).

There should be an option to enable key words to highlight in the dialogs. Can't remember where it is right now...

And there is a period of time at night you don't want to be outside walking around, unless you like frostbite. Either find someplace underground or climb into your tent and rest.

That's all I'll say for now. It's been a long time since I played it, though now that GoG released it I'll get the opportunity once I've finished a couple other games I'm beta-testing mods for.

Have fun finding out how the rest of the stuff works...

Ah that makes sense!

I have the keywords highlighted (h toggles it for help, but I can't imagine playing it without)
The main problem was with Dibbs and trying to retrace my conversation with him.

Well sleep, perchance to dream then :P

2nd day done, and I'm getting more drawn into the game even though I discovered I was trapped by canals both sides I finally made my way to where I had to go.
I have now switched to close combat after discovering that ammo, while found in large stash, is actually quite rare. So sabres and knifes all around, I have now also run out of the oxygen rocks so my whole team is suffering.
All my shotgun ammo too, used on a seeming unending hoard of cactus aliens, but it did get me a couple of levels. Next plan find the motherlode and then Edison, maybe in the other order.
I'm liking the spy glass, it's a nice way of not feeling so lost and screen locked.
To aid with this, I've printed out the map on A3 and have it on the wall, so I can plan my next more.
Maybe tomorrow I'll hunt down rasputin.

third day found the "motherload" but am not trying to get the power on Mars working again, I can see how all the parts fit together but not how to actually fix anything.
I think this is going to be a case of try everything with everything.