It is all one big persistent, or maybe procedurally generated, world full of fumes.

There are different biomes, elevations, weather, pretty cool. But there is no map, there is no distance indicator, there is no north indicator. But the sun does rise and set if you really want to (try to) orient yourself.

Drive into fume clouds to start missions.

If you are playing on controller use mouse wheel to zoom in and out of your car.

Sometimes a Salvage truck can be a hike to find, sometimes right there. You do not have to stop the truck to get on the truck.

Riding in the Salvage truck does not stop time, if you diddle around too long you will be dropped off miles from where you got on. Sometimes near anomalies you can deliver a lot of cargo real quick. But most of the time there is no urgency, though, no timers, or anything like that on any missions, or anywhere.

Heal, Upgrade car equipment, check Progress at Salvage truck often.

I found most early game wheels to be limiting. Monster wheels have durability best for boss fights.

When you get the Digger or Bullet tracks the game really takes off, they're awesome. (Be advised on controller the tracks left-trigger throttle no longer works, bug? idk, use left stick for throttle and turning.)

All the weapons are cool; haven't found a meta build.

Also see lord zing guide: https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3539307031

To be rewarded better car equipment kill enemies in missions and in open world, deliver cargo, race, and other ways. The car-equipment drops are RNG.

To advance first complete the required amount of (I usually complete all) Progress Menu missions found in the Salvage truck for that level. It seems like completing them all gives better drops.

Then to advance kill 'purple space invader' boss for that level. Bosses will die and respawn. Killing all the bosses minions takes some of the bosses health, and restores some of your health, then another wave appears. Durability is your friend.

Bosses drop new cars (sometimes).

To Upgrade into better car equipment use the Body / Suspension / Slots tab in the Salvage truck. Pick your part with the wrench icon. Select install best. Click the name of the car equipment and a sub menu opens. Click the best car equipment. Click the boxes icon. Another sub menu, click merge to add and upgrade current car equipment.

Parts start at 'C' and upgrade to top tier 'S'. 'S' can still be upgraded for a few more points.

Upgrade body immediately and completely (unless you want two of the same car), it can not transfer to other types of cars.

Upgrade suspension immediately and completely (unless you want two of the same car), it can not transfer to other types of cars.

Upgrade cargo storage immediately and completely, you can transfer to other cars, but you never really need to. Plenty of storage drops. Cargo upgrades improve the strength of straps.

Upgraded weapons CAN transfer car to car. Upgrade first guns as quick as possible. You can click 'empty' to empty a slot, or keep a few of 'C' Automag (drops a lot) to put in slots as place holders, and then take your best guns with you car to car. As you progress keep two - four good ones (A, S) of each type just so you can load them all up on one car if you want.

Cargo deliveries get car equipment, but not top priority early game. Easy enough to wait for the Jook, the third car.

Cargo is stored on the Salvage truck (unlimited), and on the car (small -- two cargo, medium -- three , large -- four).

Cargo is found complete missions, near paved roads, roamers, or die (with open cargo slot(s)). Shows as a yellow box on the compass.

Cargo deliveries, when completed, turn the anomaly into an ally. Lead enemies into them. It's fun to watch enemies swept away in a tornado, but very situational, and the anomaly disappears pretty quick.

Race events follow arches, your next arch has torches on either side. Race at night if possible.

Kill or be kilt