The Alters
" Emotional adventure with innovative clone management and deep narrative but stressful micromanagement "
The Alters Review
The Alters is a unique sci-fi survival and narrative-driven game that blends base-building, resource management, and deeply philosophical storytelling. Players manage a rotating base on a hostile planet, controlling multiple clones called Alters, each with distinct memories and emotional baggage. The game explores themes of identity, choice, and the human condition, providing a fresh and emotionally engaging experience. Visually, it impresses with detailed alien landscapes and smooth performance on modest hardware. The story and character development receive widespread praise, with many players finding the narrative touching and thought-provoking.
However, the gameplay can be stressful and punishing, with a persistent timer and micromanagement that some find overwhelming. The save system is restrictive, allowing only auto-saves at the start of each day, leading to frustration when combined with occasional bugs and crashes. Some players note the game's linearity and scripted events limit improvisation and replayability. Despite these issues, The Alters is considered a bold, artistic title that stands out for its narrative ambition and emotional depth.
Highlights
Players highly praise The Alters for its innovative storytelling that deeply explores the human psyche through the Alters' backstories. The graphics and atmosphere are lauded for creating immersive, beautiful, and alien environments. The blend of survival mechanics with narrative is seen as fresh and engaging, with the base-building and resource management adding meaningful challenge. Voice acting and sound design contribute positively to the emotional tone, enhancing player immersion. Many reviewers appreciate the game's philosophical depth and unique concept, calling it a standout in sci-fi gaming.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the game's stressful time pressure and demanding micromanagement, which can detract from enjoyment. The save system's limitation to auto-saving only at day start frustrates players, especially when combined with crashes and bugs. Some find the gameplay loop repetitive and punishing, with scripted events reducing player agency and making failures feel unfair. The storage mechanics and resource constraints are sometimes seen as tedious. Additionally, voice acting and character writing receive mixed reviews, with some players finding the Alters' personalities grating or one-dimensional.
Pros
- • Innovative narrative deeply explores identity and human condition through Alters.
- • Beautiful and immersive alien landscapes with detailed graphics.
- • Engaging blend of base-building, survival, and story-driven gameplay.
- • Emotional and philosophical storytelling that resonates personally.
- • Smooth performance even on mid-range hardware.
- • Unique gameplay mechanic of managing multiple clones with distinct traits.
- • Atmospheric music and sound design enhance immersion.
Cons
- • Persistent timer and micromanagement create stressful gameplay experience.
- • Restrictive save system causes frustration with lost progress.
- • Occasional bugs, crashes, and animation glitches disrupt play.
- • Scripted events limit improvisation and player agency.
- • Storage and resource management can feel tedious and overly constrained.
- • Voice acting and character writing sometimes feel awkward or one-note.
- • Linear progression reduces replay motivation for some players.
Rating Criteria
Explore an emotional sci-fi game with a unique blend of survival, adventure, and base-building elements. Help Jan Dolski, the sole survivor of an ill-fated space expedition, create alternative versions of himself to escape a hostile planet and tackle personal turmoils with this unconventional crew.
