[2023] why does this early access pos feel like some min/maxed micromanaged sim?

??? "You have to do X or fall behind"? What? The game self balances around your playstyle; If you're slow, the game gets difficult more slowly; If you're fast, it gets difficult faster. You dont HAVE to do almost anything beyond finding food and water. You dont even need a base to fight off hordes; You could build a cobblestone castle out in the woods without ever even approaching a city.

As for the horde night thing, Horde night does not end until sunrise- End of. If you log out, and back in and it hasnt hit sun rise (4~am), Of course it's still horde night.