In a unique blend, The Alters resembles a game that combines the strategic base construction from XCOM 2, the character care elements similar to The Sims, and the thrilling survival aspects of a third-person adventure.
In this science fiction adventure, the story commences as a spacecraft forcefully lands on an alien planet, leaving behind just one occupant – Jan Dolski. By day, you venture out to scavenge for resources beyond your base and enhance its structure. At night, you seek refuge from radiation and unwind with laughter-filled live-action films or a friendly game of beer pong.
If you’ve experienced games developed by 11 Bit Studios like This War of Mine or Frostpunk, the combination of survival and base construction may seem familiar to you. However, what makes The Alters distinctive from 11 Bit’s past projects is its emphasis on intricate interpersonal conflicts.
For survival, Jan employs a quantum computer and debatable scientific methods to create self-replicas, referred to as Alters. Unlike him, these duplicates often take different directions: where he veers right, one of them might go left; while he overlooks an opportunity, another steps in; when he turns back, they move forward (zig).
In each game session, you’ll have the freedom to determine who you’ll bring into play. Perhaps a doctor, botanist, guard, or miner – it’s all up to you! However, the technician and scientist will be essential for the plot, but the rest of the characters are at your discretion.
The duplicates exhibit distinct characters and beliefs, engaging in conversations and shared activities among themselves when they are not tasked with metal mining, radiation shield construction, or any other specific job.
In this narrative, the majority of the story unfolds through dialogues with different characters or phone conversations to Earth. The delivery could use some improvement, but the content is truly remarkable; it offers a profound analysis of how individuals, including gamers, often dwell on past decisions rather than progressing from them. Those who have ever reloaded an old save file just to choose a different dialogue option should find a strong connection and gain some valuable insights.
In essence, the game is visually captivating. Breathtaking science fiction landscapes abound across various settings that you’ll traverse throughout the approximately 30-hour narrative. Every second in the game corresponds to a real-world minute, creating a sense of urgency as you navigate through difficult hurdles and crucial decisions.
11 Bit Studios’ masterpiece, The Alters, offers an intense, exhilarating, and contemplative gaming experience that challenges players to ponder the type of individual they aspire to become.
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2025-06-12 15:06