I think the point of the checkpoints/rank system isn't so much to act as a means of gating the player (though they do), but to really put the focus on acquiring knowledge, making smart decisions, and keeping the intensity high because every "run" counts. I'm still pretty early, but already I've gotten into a rhythm of making a note of hunting grounds where bats tend to hang out, and deciding right away whether or not that "day" will for forward progress, or used to get a sense of direction and gather enough food to go back and rest before trying again. These aren't just checkpoints, they're a sort of temporary home you squat in while venturing out a little more every run before finally leaving it behind. Sometimes you just have to bank your progress and return to your hole instead of pushing blindly with <25% of the day left, risking everything. Once you know where you're going, the subsequent runs are much faster.
Also, I don't think the rain is necessarily pushing you
forward, it's just pushing you to move quickly, whatever you decide to do..
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That feel when asshole predators are blocking your only path forward and you have to make risky moves x_x