The crucial thing to grasp is that hard mode really changes how you need to think about survival. Everything becomes more strategic because resources are genuinely scarce (this actually makes the whole experience more immersive), and you'll need to get creative with what you find. Those wlf patrols are way more alert and aggressive, which means you can't just rush through areas anymore - they'll spot you much faster than you might expect.

What makes this particularly interesting is how it forces you to really master the environment and your tools. Placing traps near doorways isn't just helpful, it's often essential, and those bottles or bricks you find become absolutely precious for creating distractions (something that's easily overlooked on easier difficulties). You might want to save molotovs for those really tight situations, since crafting materials don't come by often.

The good news is you can always adjust the difficulty if things get too intense, but sticking with hard mode actually teaches you to be a better player. Every encounter becomes this tense puzzle where you're thinking three steps ahead, and when you finally overcome a challenging section, it feels absolutely earned. Just remember that stealth becomes your best friend especially in those grassy areas where enemies keep respawning (this mirrors how actual survivors would need to behave).