What makes it so hard is, that most of the problems you’re gonna face (starvation, sanaty, freezing, missing wappons/armor for battles) can be avoided/overcome easily only if you are prepared. Once the problems are here you often have no chance to deal with them when unprepared.
So after a while it becomes a constant danger evaluation in your head: There is an enemy… Fight or avoid? If i fight i might get hurt. Do i have time do find stuff to heal after the fight? And so on…
And adventure mode adds even more problems to the mix.
After writing this i realised that this sounds really stressful. But at the same time this is why i like this game so much :]
I think they are referencing this Clip from Volker Pisper (first Minute).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4H_E8b-qmo