Sorry OP, but this is what will make this a legendary game. You have to really work at getting better, and that means repeatedly dying and losing your gear to get better. If you or your friend don't like it, then I suggest play another game. It was really fun for me the first time I played it. Definitely the game I was looking for. I hadn't played the MOD before the standalone. Once the hard part of figuring out how things work, it's very enjoyable. I hope it’s never easy......