I'm interested, but I'm totally unfamiliar with the games, so I'm gonna do some research and play Lost Alpha a bit before I commit.

I would more than likely be playing a female, so I have a few questions there. Would a woman have to be able to physically hold her own against men in order to survive in the Zone, or would survival skills + luck (+ good allies) be enough? I'm thinking a medic who's quick on her feet, but not a badass by any means.