Permafrost Opening Walkthrough: New Beginning, Heat, Horizon

This article explains what the “Permafrost Opening” walkthrough covers in the game’s “New Beginning” mode, focusing on the “Feel the Heat” and “Horizon” objectives. You’ll learn the exact steps to complete this early-game sequence, how to manage the new heat mechanics, and what the horizon vision quest requires, so you can progress smoothly into the main survival loop.

Background: What Is the Permafrost Opening?

The Permafrost Opening is the introductory sequence in the survival game Permafrost, a title set in a frozen world where the player must manage warmth, food, and shelter. The “New Beginning” mode is the standard single-player start, designed to teach core mechanics through a series of guided objectives. The opening chapter is split into two main goals: “Feel the Heat” (which introduces the campfire and heat management) and “Horizon” (which tasks the player with scouting the surrounding area). This walkthrough covers both, in order, with the exact steps needed to complete them.

How the Opening Sequence Works

The game uses a quest log that updates as you complete objectives. The opening is linear: you start near a crashed sled, with limited supplies. The first objective, “Feel the Heat,” requires you to build a campfire and warm up. The second, “Horizon,” requires you to climb a nearby ridge and use a spyglass to survey the landscape. Both are mandatory to unlock the next story beat, which introduces crafting and base building.

Key mechanics introduced here:

• Heat meter: Your core temperature drops over time. Standing near a fire raises it.
• Fuel: Wood and coal are used to keep the fire burning.
• Vision: The spyglass lets you mark points of interest (POIs) on your map.

Step-by-Step: Completing “Feel the Heat”

This objective triggers immediately after the opening cutscene. You have a few sticks and a lighter in your inventory.

1. Open your inventory (Tab by default) and select the campfire blueprint.
2. Place the campfire on flat ground near the sled – you’ll see a green outline when it’s valid.
3. Add 3 sticks to the fire as fuel (drag them from inventory to the fire’s fuel slot).
4. Use the lighter to ignite the fire. Wait for the flame animation to appear.
5. Stand within 2 meters of the fire for about 10 seconds until the heat meter reaches 50% or higher.

The objective completes when your heat meter is above the “safe” line for the first time. You’ll get a notification and a new objective: “Horizon.”

Step-by-Step: Completing “Horizon”

After warming up, you need to scout the area. The spyglass is automatically added to your inventory.

1. Look for a rocky outcropping to the northeast (visible from the campfire). It has a distinct flat top.
2. Walk to the base of the outcropping. There’s a winding path up – follow it.
3. At the top, equip the spyglass (press 4 or select it from the hotbar).
4. Aim at the three marked landmarks: the broken bridge to the west, the frozen lake to the south, and the abandoned cabin to the east.
5. Each landmark will highlight when you look at it. Press the interact key (E) to “mark” it.

Once all three are marked, the objective completes. You’ll get a map update and a new quest to head to the cabin.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Players often get stuck on one of these three issues:

• Fire won’t light: Make sure you have at least 3 sticks in the fuel slot. The lighter has limited uses – don’t spam it.
• Heat meter not rising: You must be close to the fire. If you’re too far, the heat gain is negligible. Also, ensure the fire isn’t in a snowstorm – build a windbreak if needed.
• Spyglass not working: You need to be on the ridge. If you’re at ground level, the landmarks won’t highlight. Also, the spyglass requires you to stand still while aiming.

If the spyglass still doesn’t register, try re-equipping it and looking slightly above the landmark – the hitbox can be finicky.

Comparing New Beginning to Other Modes

“New Beginning” is the only mode with this guided opening. In “Survival” mode, you start with no objectives and must find your own way. “Challenge” mode skips the opening entirely and drops you in a random location with fixed supplies. The “Feel the Heat” and “Horizon” objectives are unique to New Beginning, so if you’ve played other modes, you won’t have seen them. The opening also serves as a tutorial, so veterans might find it slow, but it’s worth completing for the permanent map markers that carry over to the main game.

Costs and Rewards of the Opening

Completing the opening costs nothing in terms of in-game currency – it’s a tutorial. However, you do consume 3 sticks and 1 lighter charge. The rewards are significant:

• Permanent map markers for the bridge, lake, and cabin (useful later).
• A full heal and a small food ration (given after the Horizon objective).
• Unlocks the crafting menu for the campfire and the spyglass (so you can craft more).

There is no time limit, so you can take as long as you need.

Safety and Survival Tips for the Opening

Even though it’s a tutorial, you can still die from cold if you ignore the mechanics. Here are essential tips:

• Keep the fire lit: While exploring, the fire will go out. That’s fine – you only need it for the first objective.
• Watch your heat meter: If it drops below 10%, you’ll start taking damage. If you’re struggling, build a second fire at the ridge base.
• Don’t wander too far: The opening area is safe, but beyond the ridge there are wolves. Stay within the marked area until the objective is done.
• Use the spyglass from cover: If you’re on the ridge and a blizzard starts, crouch behind a rock to avoid wind chill.

Alternatives to the Guided Path

If you want to skip the guided opening, you can ignore the objectives and head straight to the cabin (it’s visible from the start). However, the game will not progress the story until you complete “Feel the Heat” and “Horizon.” There’s no way to bypass them in New Beginning mode – they’re hard-coded triggers. If you’re finding them tedious, consider playing “Survival” mode instead, where you have full freedom from the start, but you’ll miss out on the tutorial’s rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I complete “Feel the Heat” without a campfire?

No. The objective requires you to raise your heat meter above 50%, and the only way to do that in the opening is with the campfire. You can’t use clothing or food to raise it that high – those only slow down heat loss.

What happens if I die during the opening?

You respawn at the sled with your inventory intact, but the fire will be out and you’ll need to rebuild it. The objectives remain active, so you can retry without losing progress.

Why won’t the spyglass mark the landmarks?

Make sure you’re on the ridge (the game will show a prompt “You are now in a good vantage point”). Also, ensure you’re aiming directly at the landmark – not at the ground or sky. If it still fails, try looking away and back.

Is the opening the same in multiplayer?

No. In multiplayer, the opening is skipped entirely – you start with the campfire already built and the map markers already unlocked. The “New Beginning” mode is strictly single-player.

Can I return to the opening area later?

Yes, the area remains accessible throughout the game. The landmarks you marked will show on your map, and you can revisit the cabin to find supplies.

How long does the opening take?

If you follow the steps, it takes about 10–15 minutes. Rushing it can take as little as 5 minutes, but you may miss the tutorial tips.

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in t | Time (minutes) | min | 15 | 0
in d | Distance (km) | km | 1.5 | 0
out pace | Average pace (min/km) | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed (km/h) | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2