The Main Objective

### The Situation

FD is set in a post-apocalyptic world. A currently unexplored event has resulted in a large part of the population being mutated to varying degrees.

A particularly dangerous group of mutants has started to rise in power, driven by their desire to annihilate all opposition, esp. humans. They have managed to create a heavily fortified mega base in an unknown location. As time goes on, the base changes and evolves, strengthens in parts, weakens in others.

The player starts somewhere far away from it.

### Your Mission

The main objective of the entire game is to destroy the enemy base and the existential threat to other humans. This is done through progressive stages:

1. Locate
2. Investigate
3. Prepare
4. Destroy

Due to the procedural element, the nature of the base and the enemies within will be different every time. This is why the investigation stage is so important -- you need to first find out what you're dealing with before you can prepare.

NOTE: this will differ based on Difficulty. For example, on Casual the base and its information may be revealed from the start so the player can dive straight into preparing. On the harder difficulties you'll have to work for it or operate blind.

### Methods of Completion

There are 4 core methods of approach which aim to cater to various playstyles. Below you will find an example of how each method can be used exclusively to complete the main objective. These methods can also be combined.

#### Exploration

Different Areas contain important resources and materials which can be used to build superweapons which will easily destroy the base. It is not yet decided how this will be achieved exclusively through exploration, it will likely be through discovery of secret facilities.

#### Base Building

The player can build their own base, collect resources, research and upgrade its capabilities, and eventually build powerful armies or superweapons which can be used to destroy the enemy base.

NOTE: as the player's base gains strength it will raise the Threat Level of the AI and they will start to respond (e.g. by attacking).

#### Combat

With enough firepower, the player can take the base on with brute force. This will not be easy and require the player to significantly upgrade their arsenal and armour. If the player chooses, they can wipe out anything that stands in their way throughout the game.

NOTE: killing or harming enemies will raise the Threat Level of the AI and they will become harder to fight against, they will begin to fortify their positions, upgrade their equipment, and come after you (if they can find you).

#### Stealth

The player can sneak through the entire game, infiltrate the base and destroy it from within without firing a single shot.

NOTE: the Threat Level is only raised when the AI knows about the player's growing strength and progress. If the player sneaks and is largely undetected, the enemies will not be prepared and, as such, the final stages of the game will be easy from a combat perspective. Regardless, it will not be a simple case of switching to combat late game after suppressing enemy upgrades -- there will be measures to keep the player's stealth abilities tested and discovery will become more lethal as the game progresses.