No Algae and you want to start again ???? I'd be down on my knees thanking the Gods of Isola heheheheh

I've been playing since yesterday afternoon and I've had no problems keeping the food level up. I've got crops and the stew and no sign of algae at all. My food reserves are over 700 and I've got 14 people (3 of them babies)...How can I possible get the algae problem to show up? Is it critical to solve a puzzle?

In short, you don't need the problem. It'll probably turn up eventually and you'll wish it would go away. Solving the problem is a puzzle, but I don't think you need to have the problem first. At least, I think not; I've always had the algae around for at least a while.

Yes it is ciritcal to solve one of the puzzles. Just keep dropping your farmers into the ocean. You'll get it.

I have had a couple of games where I could skip the algae all together. I had runners and the seemed to hury the game along so I did not have to worry about the algae.

So just keep putting them in the ocean, and it will come.

Thanks, I'll just keep playing the way I am and see what happens.

VI,

Did you try solving the algae problem without getting it? I'm surprised that Arthur didn't include the possibility that could happen.

Woke up this morning to algae, no coconuts and no crops.
Hope they don't starve to death

How can you solve algae problem without getting it?

I've been keeping one villager fishing, one building, and the rest gaining tech points to stave off the algae! I'm going to see how long I can go before I have to buy the first tech level in farming. That way my coconuts will remain untouched while I get the most amount of fish that I can.... hopefully that will help while I deal with the algae, and tide them over until I earn enough tech points....
But, I'm also only making one baby at a time, when my youngest is 12... so I'll always have a kid to gather goodies. So far, so good...

That should work for you. I've been able to go straight to level 3 farming on a occasion or two. It all depends on how much mushroom hunting you do, as well as collectable, if you are blessed with any runners and what events you happen to get.