Turns out looking at a beginner's guide is really handy. I've survived to level 4 so far (not even dead yet!) and I've completed TWO quests! Huzzah!
Although I was almost murdered by a bear. And a plant.
@palecur Not sure the guide I'm using would help like that, although it suggests farming until about level 4, then taking on quests.
I also see people saying that strength is mostly good for early to mid game, and you'll want to level other stuff by then. However, the skill boosts from stat changes are retroactive which helps a lot. Also get butchery and harvesting early, so you're not always scrounging for food.
@Nezchan thank you kindly!
@Nezchan Finally got over the initial getting-killed hump and starting to do some exploring. Liking the new food and hunger systems.
@palecur Congratulations on not dying!
Well, not yet.
@Nezchan Can you throw me a link to the one you're looking at? Because I can reliably get to Red Rock but not, uh, back.