[Eichhörnchen]

Thanks for the CoP mod tip. I hadn't so far seriously considered searching these out: so often I've found that patching can undermine a previously smooth-running game, but I don't know whether this goes for "mods" as well (forgive my ignorance but it's still pretty new territory for me).

Yes, the sense of place is absolutely unique in this game and you sum it up well. It kind of puts me in mind of a smashed country following WW2; you just move through a gloomy, desolate landscape, with the occasional glimpse a lonely figure going about their own grim business. Why the appeal, then? It's an enigmatic game, for sure...