I spent 6 hours with the game no one can explain. The Alters is a truly unique project

by

Ponder over your life as a chronological journey. It’s a tapestry woven from numerous choices, both monumental and trivial, that mold your identity. There’s often the curiosity about the path not taken or the alternative outcomes. Marvel is even pondering those questions! Not just “what if Agent Carter had received Captain America’s serum,” but also “what if the final phase of MCU was more captivating.

The foundation of The Alters revolves around the ‘what if’, but let me tell you, it’s so much more than just that. For nearly three years since its announcement, no promotional material has managed to convey the game’s core purpose clearly for me. However, a recent invitation from 11 bit studios to visit Warsaw and play The Alters for six hours, interact with the developers, and understand the game better, provided an answer to my question – what on earth is this game about? And guess what? I discovered something intriguing that I appreciate.

The Alters, which is what?

11 Bit Studios boasts a distinct collection of games, including “This War of Mine,” which focuses on civilian life during conflict, and “Frostpunk,” where you manage a city in the midst of an impending natural catastrophe. The sequel, “Frostpunk 2,” delves deeper into human nature. Now, the newest addition to this impressive lineup is “The Alters“. To be honest, I found it challenging to grasp the complete concept of this game. There were bits and pieces of information scattered around that I tried to assemble like a puzzle, but it never quite fit together in a cohesive manner.

In the game titled “The Alters,” we assume the role of Jan Dolski, multiple times over, with at least eight versions of Jan Dolskis appearing throughout the storyline. Initially stranded on an alien planet, you discover that your crew has vanished and the only means of survival is a colossal mobile base – surprisingly unbranded by Pirelli, although its performance could rival that of a Formula 1 vehicle.

Jan Dolski, our protagonist, lacks heroic qualities or any air of destiny. Rather, he’s an ordinary worker who found himself in the midst of a failed mission to locate rapidium – an element believed to bring prosperity once returned to Earth. The game delves into Jan’s personal history swiftly, as it is intertwined with a distinct gameplay mechanic that sets “The Alters” apart.

Similar to the character in the novel “The Martian“, Jan Dolski embarks on a journey to return home, despite being isolated. Unlike Mark Watney who cultivated potatoes using his waste as fertilizer, our protagonist discovers an object called rapidium, which serves as a means for him to grow assistance for himself. Here comes the “what if” scenario:

If only Jan Dolski had known that the rapidium thingy could also be used as a communication device… he might have been able to contact help earlier! This opens up questions about what other uses this mysterious object has, and whether it could potentially save more lives.

Using Rapidium, Jan can retrieve his lifetime memories stored in a quantum computer on a mobile base. However, it’s crucial to understand that altering decisions often lead to different outcomes. This concept is key to our gameplay. As players, we select a moment in time where Jan’s life can diverge. This branching results in a unique individual with distinct abilities, unlike the original Jan. We then nurture this new version artificially. It’s not an exact clone; instead, it’s an alternate reality version of Jan who perceives himself as equally real and carries memories of events that never transpired in the main timeline. These characters are the “Alters” from the title.

The game’s narrative is remarkably similar to “This War of Mine” in its storytelling, more so than I initially anticipated. This is largely due to the limited cast of characters, each with their unique lives, challenges, and an unusual bond – they’re not close friends; rather, they are strangers who share aspects of their lives (such as a shared love for dumplings) and seem to recall events that may or may not have occurred. Despite appearing to have been created by the same machine.

Following conversations with several individuals named Jans, you’ll find that their individual personalities vary significantly, necessitating distinct communication tactics. The selection of words can influence the emotional state of those we interact with, thereby impacting their receptiveness to our suggestions. Although I haven’t yet determined the exact extent to which Dolski’s moods shape his decision-making, I’ve encountered a situation where the Technician initially disagreed with my idea, but due to our prior rapport, he ultimately chose to assist me. In summary, the events portrayed in the game left a profound impression on me, reminiscent of the civilian tales from This War of Mine. Naturally, I’ll refrain from disclosing any specific plot points.

One aspect that slightly fell short of my expectations was the branching system and the creation of various versions of Jan Dolski. I had envisioned a more interactive experience where we would need to decide on our own which path to take within Dolski’s memories. However, the game makes it evident when and where the branches occur, as well as the type of Alter that will result from those decisions. I understand their reasoning behind this approach – they aimed for distinct characters with unique stories, ensuring a clear and non-ambiguous narrative. Nevertheless, I was hoping for a more immersive experience, and I remain optimistic that 11 bit studios will elevate the game in the future, possibly through a DLC expansion.

Not only by the story do 11 Jans live

In the game The Alters, the gameplay is multi-faceted. Although your primary objective is to build your base away from the approaching sun to avoid destruction, there are numerous tasks required to achieve this goal. As we progress, we’ll face various challenges, such as a vast lava river that our large wheel cannot traverse. This necessitates finding an alternative way to cross it with the entire base.

In addition to our struggle to survive, the corporation that dispatched us on this mission and is our only means of rescue has specific needs for Rapidium. Your team members might have varying views on your decisions, and the situation seems to be growing more bizarre with each passing moment. It’s not just Rapidium and its effects that are peculiar on this planet; you’ll also run into anomalies that could potentially harm you or distort space-time, leading to altered time flow when within their influence.

To thrive, resources are essential. As a player, you traverse maps and scrutinize designated zones for resources, which can then be mined. You can either perform this task yourself or delegate it to other Alters. Different Alters possess unique abilities, making some more efficient at specific jobs, such as mining outdoors or managing tasks within your base.

The structure of the maps in this game is predetermined, resembling a maze designed by the developers to manage the player’s progression speed. They achieve this by restricting access to certain areas until you research upgrades or create necessary tools like climbing hooks and drills that require fresh charges after each use. The design effectively maintains a well-balanced pace, although there are compulsory objectives. However, there is ample room for exploration, discovering optional content that could potentially enhance your bond with your Alters. You might stumble upon lost luggage containing a movie to watch with your team, or engage in a game of beer pong. Overall, this game offers a comprehensive and immersive experience that earns a perfect score of 10/10.

First the base, then the rest

Let’s discuss the mobile base, one aspect of customization for your hideout. Initially, it comes with several areas and potential for growth. As the game unfolds, you can extend this space to accommodate various sections. There’s ample room for expansion. During daytime hours, you’ll need to delegate your Alters to perform tasks in specific areas based on your objectives, as you won’t have enough Alters to handle everything simultaneously.

In this game, survival is straightforward yet challenging: During the day (7 am – 8 pm), you can carry out activities without much hindrance. However, after 9 pm, intense radiation sets in, posing a risk if you remain outside. Additionally, at night, your energy levels are low, making tasks take longer to complete. Therefore, it’s crucial to plan and manage your time efficiently.

In your space exploration journey, radiation poses a constant threat, not just during planetary exploration but also within your base. It’s crucial to maintain a consistent stock of radiation shields. The energy your character possesses can be utilized for various tasks such as climbing or traversing terrain. This energy can be replenished either at the base or mining outposts, which we refer to as “recharging” or “refueling”.

Maintaining food supplies for the crew is less complex; simply ensure you have adequate provisions on board, and you’ll hardly need to worry about it. The primary challenge lies in managing resources effectively, particularly energy and radiation shields, which can make survival a bit more intricate.

Is it wise to invest resources in more miners, pylons, and storage units, or would moving your miner to a different resource spot be a better option? Should you also consider expanding your storage capacity? Remember, a heavier base means higher transportation costs when relocating, so you’ll need more resources. Keep an eye on your expenditures because while miners don’t deplete resources, time might run out before the sun catches up to you. I appreciate that the game encourages strategic thinking without being overly complex or distracting from the storyline.

The music is playing, and the graphics…

The aesthetic and overall visual design of the game perfectly captures its intended atmosphere. It blends eerie, extraterrestrial landscapes with the polished, industrial design of your base’s artificial rooms. The distinctive color palette, evident in the promotional art for the game, adds to this uniqueness. While I wouldn’t classify the graphics as exceptional, they are sufficient for this particular game. However, during character conversations, there seemed to be an issue with lighting and edge definition that made them appear slightly blurry. Let’s hope this is something that gets resolved before the release. Despite being a minor detail, it was quite noticeable and distracting.

The tunes align perfectly with the anticipation of sci-fi gaming experiences. Piotr Musial, the talented composer behind the soundtrack, has an impressive portfolio that includes Frostpunk, This War of Mine, Diablo IV, and The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine. There’s a delightful secret in the game that you should look forward to, although I can’t reveal any details just yet. But rest assured, it involves music in some intriguing way.

During a conversation with team members at 11 bit studios, I discovered that the game has expanded beyond its initial blueprint. Originally, they intended for the game to last approximately one dozen hours, but it’s turned out to be significantly longer. That being said, The Alters is not shaping up to be a 100-hour epic; instead, it’s a well-paced narrative that avoids unnecessary detours for the player. In the six hours I’ve played so far, I’ve found it engaging, and I eagerly anticipate spending more time with The Alters, hoping each additional hour will be as enjoyable as the last.

Your usual day

This game, by nature, often follows a narrative style reminiscent of 11 bit studios, encouraging players to contemplate life’s complexities. The focus here lies on the thought-provoking stories it presents, even though they may not be as intense as those in “This War of Mine”. Compared to “Frostpunk”, “The Alters” is more aligned with this game in its storytelling approach.

This upcoming game, “The Alters,” distinguishes itself from other 11 bit games as it aims to reduce the frequency of failures experienced by players, unlike previous titles such as “This War of Mine” and “Frostpunk” which primarily teach through mistakes. Instead, “The Alters” prepares players for the challenges ahead. The game’s narrative is captivating, with its gameplay serving as a means to enhance the story. If you appreciated 11 bit Studios’ previous works, you should be excited about this forthcoming release in less than a month. The tale of Jan Dolski will soon be available on PC and consoles, and those with Game Pass can find the game there right at launch.

Here’s a simpler way to describe The Alters: This is an experimental survival game where you create alternate versions of the main character to survive, gather resources, and make strategic decisions while trying to evade threats that could hinder Dolski’s quest for self-preservation. It’s about asking “what if” questions with some answers provided, featuring themes of determination, despair, anger, joy, regret, and making the best out of what life throws at us. And let’s not forget, it also has an adorable little sheep! Who wouldn’t love a charming little sheep?

Read More

2025-05-22 18:33