Randomness is a challenge facing all who are trapped in the Pryzm. It is the result of the entity Dzyll altering space and time. But it did not count on some humans to have the ability to circumvent it. it is why events can be redone (at the cost of clarity) once it has been observed.
This doesn't apply to just finding items. It also applies to the probability of avoiding enemies. For example, in Richard's A scenario, he is often attacked by a tainted even if he attempts to avoid it. By redoing the same scenario, his chance of avoiding increases until it eventually becomes guaranteed. This works for many other such events.
However, one major factor that shapes the Pryzm happens at the very beginning of the story, the first act to be exact, the one that many players tend to skip through. Depending on the choice on the first night as seen above, players can lock in some parameters in advance. For example, many have discovered that talking to Lindsay grants an increase in starting clarity.
But choosing the others have their advantages too. Talking to Greg and Ann will ensure Ann always finds the locket in her A scenario IF the locket is located in the forest, while Greg is always guaranteed to avoid the various tainted in his D scenario.
And talking to Richard ensures he always avoids enemies in his A scenario, finds the hidden basement in his B scenario, while Sara will always make it to the altar in her C scenario. What Kyle does the following morning also impacts later parts of the story...
Each of these boosts have their specific advantages and will significantly improve a run if those are your goals. Use this knowledge to plan your next run and make it out with a better time and rank!