The point of the game is to define a strategy. After neglecting my first game, I ended up with 4 dead villagers. One was a child. I was able to recover by paying very close attention to when and what the villagers were doing. This game is really not a 'once through' game. The fun of playing is trying new things. How you play depends on how much time you can devote and what your goals are. In the beginning, you must watch the villagers. They are trying to survive, so must you.