The Alters Review

With The Alters, 11 bit studios delivers a science fiction experience that boldly expands beyond typical survival and management tropes. At the center of the story is Jan Dolski, the sole survivor of a failed expedition on an alien world hostile to life. But the true threat lies not only in the environment—but in himself. To endure, Jan must create alternate versions of himself using the mysterious element known as Rapidium. These “Alters”—each having taken different paths in life—possess unique personalities, strengths, and weaknesses that challenge the player’s moral compass and leadership skills.

Setting and Atmosphere

From the beginning, the game creates a tense, oppressive atmosphere. The alien planet is barren and unforgiving, marked by deadly solar radiation and magnetic storms that force Jan to remain constantly on the move in his massive wheel-like mobile base. The looming sunrise acts as a mechanical time bomb, compelling players to make meaningful decisions at every turn—whether in gathering resources, navigating the landscape, or dealing with interpersonal tensions among the Alters. The visual design and soundscape emphasize this sense of isolation and pressure, crafting a world that’s as beautiful as it is terrifying.

Gameplay Mechanics: Beyond Cloning

At its core, The Alters blends strategic management, survival, and narrative role-playing in a compelling loop. The system for creating alternate selves is more than a gimmick—it’s the beating heart of the experience. Each Alter comes with a distinct backstory, belief system, and emotional needs. While they offer invaluable expertise—scientists, technicians, cooks—they also demand respect, attention, and autonomy.

The dialogue choices and decisions you make affect group morale and can spark unexpected consequences. In one scenario, an Alter loses an arm. The pragmatic scientist suggests developing a prosthetic, but the older technician questions the ethics: “What if he’d rather have his real arm back?” That moment encapsulates the game’s emotional depth—you’re constantly weighing efficiency against humanity.

Challenges and Strategic Depth

The real-time management of resources is intense. The scarcity of supplies and the ticking threat of the sun require constant prioritization. Every upgrade, crafting decision, or Alter creation carries risks. The Alters are more than just workers; they are people—with needs, moods, and sometimes rebellious tendencies. While you’re juggling critical operations, they may be playing beer pong or demanding more humane work shifts. Managing these dynamics adds layers of challenge and realism to the base-building loop.

In our playthrough, we experienced two very different endings. During our first attempt, neglecting storm preparations resulted in the base’s destruction. In the second, careless leadership led to an internal mutiny. These emergent scenarios give the game replayability that feels organic and earned.

Visuals and Sound Design

Despite the desolate setting, the game is visually impressive. Subtle lighting changes communicate environmental danger, and the solar threat creates a permanent undercurrent of dread. Ambient audio—mechanical drones, distant storms, and haunting musical cues—enhance the immersion. However, it’s worth noting that while most narrative beats are compelling, the choice to present key scenes as storyboard-style animations detracts from their emotional punch compared to more cinematic storytelling in modern AAA games.

Shortcomings and Accessibility

While the game excels in narrative richness and tension-building, it stumbles slightly with accessibility. Resource and time management can be punishing, especially for players unfamiliar with the genre. Though action difficulty can be adjusted, the economic systems offer only “Standard” and “Challenge” settings. A gentler difficulty mode or more adaptive tutorials would help make this unique experience more approachable.

Additionally, base construction and resource-gathering tasks start to feel repetitive after several hours, and the planetary environments—though atmospheric—lack variety. Over longer sessions, players may also notice that certain Alter interactions begin to repeat, slightly breaking the illusion of their complexity.

Final Verdict

The Alters stands as one of the year’s most innovative and thought-provoking games. Its central concept—multiple selves born from diverging life choices—delivers far more than narrative novelty. It challenges you to balance efficiency and empathy, plan with urgency, and lead a fractured version of yourself toward survival. Despite minor flaws in presentation and difficulty design, the emotional weight and strategic satisfaction it offers are profound. 11 bit studios has crafted an extraordinary tale of identity, sacrifice, and survival that players won’t soon forget.