The Alters is a narrative-driven survival and base-building game developed by 11 bit studios, the creators of This War of Mine and Frostpunk. You play as Jan Dolski, a lone astronaut stranded on a hostile planet with a deadly, radioactive sun. To survive, Jan must create alternate versions of himself — called “Alters” — each with different skills, personalities, and emotional complexities. These Alters are not just tools; they are sentient beings with their own needs, relationships, and reactions to the world around them.
The game blends time-sensitive survival mechanics with deep character management and moral decision-making. You’ll need to manage your mobile base, gather resources and assign tasks to your Alters while keeping them mentally stable and cooperative. The tension between survival and identity is at the heart of the experience, making The Alters a unique blend of sci-fi storytelling and strategic gameplay.
Top Ten Things You Need to Know Before Playing The Alters:
Time is Your Greatest Enemy
The planet’s sun rotates in a deadly cycle, and exposure to direct sunlight is lethal. You must constantly move your mobile base to stay in the planet’s shadow. Always plan your actions around the sun’s trajectory and never let your guard down. Jan’s time flies by, and he can only achieve so much each day.
Choose Your First Alters Wisely
Not all Alters are created equal. Early on, prioritize creating a scientist (to enable research) and a Botanist (to help ensure a steady food supply.) A Miner is also essential for gathering resources efficiently. Each Alter’s profession directly impacts your survival chances.
Alters Have Emotions and Needs
Alters are not mindless clones. They have unique personalities, emotional states, and even conflicts with each other. Ignoring their mental health can lead to breakdowns, sabotage, or worse. Build relationships and manage their stress levels carefully. Several rooms – such as the Contemplation Room – can be researched to help ease the mood.
Base Management is a Constant Juggle
Your mobile base is modular and upgradable, but space and time are limited. Prioritize essential modules like the Generator, Workshop, and Medbay. Keep an eye on power consumption and always have a plan for repairs. Upgrading the size of your base is not as expensive as you think, but it does require research to unlock.
Resource Gathering is Risky but Necessary
You’ll need to send Alters out to gather materials, but doing so exposes them to environmental hazards. Equip them properly and monitor their health – and especially their exposure to radiation when mining certain resources. Losing an Alter can be a major setback, especially if they hold a critical role.
Use the Quantum Computer/Womb Strategically
The Quantum Computer allows you to create new Alters, but it’s not free. It consumes valuable resources and time, and each new Alter adds complexity to your base due to their moods and needs. Don’t rush to create too many — focus on quality over quantity and always choose an Alter with a skillset you need.
Keep an Eye on the Map
The planetary map shows resource nodes, hazards, and the sun’s path. Use it constantly to plan your movements and expeditions. Getting caught in the sun’s path will end your run quickly. As the sun moves closer to your base, the latter hours of the day will get more dangerous – with radiation appearing earlier and earlier.
Upgrade Your Base Thoughtfully
Upgrades can improve efficiency, unlock new capabilities, and reduce downtime. Focus on upgrades that support your current strategy — whether that’s faster movement, better resource processing, or improved Alter well-being.
Dialogue Choices Matter
Conversations with your Alters can influence their morale, loyalty, and performance. Be mindful of how you speak to them. A well-timed compliment or apology can prevent a crisis, while neglect or hostility can escalate tensions.
Expect to Fail, then Learn
The Alters is designed to challenge you. Mistakes will happen, and sometimes you’ll lose an Alter or miss a critical upgrade. Treat each failure as a learning opportunity. The game rewards thoughtful planning and adaptability.
The Alters is a rare blend of survival strategy and emotional storytelling. It challenges players not just to manage resources and logistics, but to navigate the psychological complexities of identity, loneliness, and leadership. The game’s core mechanic — creating and managing alternate versions of yourself – is both mechanically rich and thematically profound. Each Alter feels like a real person, and the relationships you build (or fail to build) with them shape the entire experience.
Visually striking and narratively ambitious, The Alters stands out in a crowded genre where differentiation on this scale is rare. With a unique planet to explore, a survival concept that is both familiar and yet unique, and a tough, expansive narrative, you can expect our (almost certainly) positive review to follow soon.
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