I do think it leans a bit toward the easy side. Specifically, I notice a lot of streamers who talk about how they must've stumbled across a strong build, or how they have a strong group. I think the game is somewhat designed to give the player that impression.

It was harder in the early days of early access. I can still remember Felicia Day playing early access and stumbling through the cave passage into the back of the grove. The statues continuously shot her, and no matter how much her chat insisted she should sneak or try to take out the statues from range, she just kept dying. You could see her frustration trying to figure out what to do.

I think companies prefer when streamers have a good time showcasing the game, and thus the game has to be easy enough for some of them to enjoy, otherwise it doesn't come across as inviting.

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All I really want is something like tactician only with an ironman mode, including permadeath and no revivify scrolls/spell and no assistance from Withers. And a lot less food.

Along with an achievement named after me, of course.