A brilliantly original and weirdly personal survival game. Despite some clunky mechanics and technical hitches, The Alters' profound narrative, stunning world, and unique character management system make it an unforgettable and essential experience.
The Alters presents a harrowing survival scenario with a profound psychological twist. The story follows Jan Dolski, a simple grunt who crash-lands on a desolate alien planet. Here, the sunrise is a lethal event, forcing him to constantly pilot his mobile, wheel-shaped base to stay within the planet's ever-moving shadow. His only hope for survival lies in creating "alters"—alternate versions of himself pulled from branching timelines where different life choices led to different outcomes. This core concept sets the stage for a unique exploration of self.
The gameplay is a tense and intricate balancing act. It combines survival logistics, base building, and resource management under immense time pressure. Players must explore the hazardous yet beautiful landscape to gather materials, upgrade equipment, and find a path forward for the mobile base. The circular layout of the base presents its own unique spatial puzzle, requiring careful planning to fit essential modules like workshops, dorms, and infirmaries. Every action is a trade-off, balancing immediate needs against long-term progress in a constant race against the dawn.
What truly defines the experience is the management of the alters themselves. These are not mindless drones but sentient beings with their own memories, personalities, and traumas. Each alter possesses specialized skills born from their unique life path, but they also bring their own emotional baggage and conflicting desires. Managing their relationships, morale, and psychological needs transforms the game into a compelling quantum psychodrama. The biggest threat is not the hostile environment, but the internal conflict among the many versions of "you."
Ultimately, The Alters is a powerful meditation on identity, memory, and consequence. It features a magnificent, oppressive atmosphere brought to life by stunning visuals and a haunting soundscape. While minor technical issues like poor lip-syncing occasionally surface, they do little to detract from the game's wildly original premise and emotionally resonant narrative moments. From developer 11bit studios, this is a deeply weird, brilliant, and unforgettable journey available on PC, Xbox via Game Pass, and PlayStation systems.
