Myself, I prefer starting with a martial art and 10 in all stats but Dex[Dex stays at 8]. I like to get Night Vision and Robust Genetics too, while stacking mostly harmless bad traits. If you don't feel cheesy, then you can probably leave your not-Perception stats at 8 instead, although this will make things a bit harder. Since the cudgel works with so many martial arts, I usually use that until I can get a better weapon. Quarterstaff is the obvious next step and is also compatible with a lot of martial arts. If you're using unarmed martial arts, then arm and leg guards become important, but you don't have to worry about finding a good weapon. If you're not going with a martial art, KNIFE SPEAR is still the best early game weapon. Note that you can [F]ire polearms to make a two-square attack with them, which is perfect for the kite-happy suvivor who values life over sanity. Background doesn't matter THAT much, just pick a 0 or one point one and roll with it.. Survivor is always good, Backpacker is cool too and Otaku nets you adorable cat ears and a sewing kit.
In the VERY early game, you want a few things:
-Hammer, even if its a stone one
-Knife, even if its a stone one
-Storage, ideally through a backpack
-Sewing kit, to make your own equipment
-A way to start a fire
-A decent weapon, see above
Try to avoid fighting much, especially spitter zombies. If you have to, make them move through bushes to get to you.
Once you've got those essentials, hole up someplace near[But not TOO near] to town that isn't near anything fungal or triffid and stockpile supplies, tools and books there. Garages and libraries are usually your main goals, but even normal houses can have some pretty impressive goodies in the basement. The starting shelter is often a good location, since it has an always-on light source you can use for reading and crafting. You'll also probably want a vehicle eventually, even if its just a way to power things with gas/sun instead of batteries. If you can get your hands on a funnel, they let you collect water with minimal fuss. If you can't, just live off toilet water. A fireplace is important too, to let you start fires inside safely. Food shouldn't be much of a problem if you're near a forest. Collect acorns[Imperishable, but very nutritious once cooked] and forage around a lot for eggs and cookable plants/fruits.
Eventually, once you have a full set of Survivor Armour and a good weapon[Compatible with your martial art, ideally], you should start raiding labs for mutagen and bionics. You'll also need a ranged option to deal with turrets[Grenades are my favorite, but you could also use a gun or just chuck junk at them from darkness], a science ID card[Found lying on the ground, they're far from rare] and night vision[Flashlights work too, but let turrets see you] to navigate the lab. Choose whichever mutation path you like most. Alpha and Medical change you the least, but are hard to find ingredients for. I'm partial to Cat and Spider, personally, but they have not-insignificant drawbacks, Carnivore being the biggest. Just shove in whatever bionics you want, as long as the failure chance isn't too high. The other thing you're looking for in labs is power armour, which is pretty ridiculous IF you can power it. There's a bionic that lets you use your bionic power or you could use a UPS[Preferably heavily electronically enhanced].
Once you have a full suit of Power Armour[Including a hauling frame], good mutations, hella bionics and a nice mobile base, you've basically won. Go around depopulating towns of zombies, pausing only to recharge or repair your suit. Explore mines and temples and military outposts. Deal with the Fungal and Triffid menaces[One way or another
]. Mess around with NPCs and try to make a faction.
