11 Bit Studios has finally releasedThe Alters, another unique and memorable entry in a long line of experimental survival games from the Polish developer. And whileThe Altersis certainly a departure for 11 Bit Studios in a number of ways, it’s easy to see the lines connecting it,This War of Mine, and theFrostpunkduology. Indeed,The Altersfeels both radically original and an obvious next step for its creators.
Out ofThe Alters' myriad distinctions, perhaps the most significant is its narrative. WhileThis War of MineandFrostpunkdo engage in storytelling, they involve radically different methods, which service their respective gameplay loops.The Alters, by comparison, is far more structured by virtue of its three-act plot, and this influences gameplay and pacing in key ways. One unexpected knock-on effect of this fresh narrative approach is the game’s overall difficulty: it’s far easier than the likes ofFrostpunk. Since there’s so much more at stake in the narrative, it has to be harder forThe Altersplayers to enter a fail state, lest they lose the progress they’ve made in their campaign. In other words, a proper failure, wherein players have a totally botched run, is hard to achieve inThe Alters—at least on the standard difficulty.
The Altershas two difficulty settings, one for economy and one for action elements. The following refers to both.
The Benefits of Playing The Alters On the Hardest Difficulty
The Alters Is Notably Easier than Other 11 Bit Studios Games
This War of Mine, and especiallyFrostpunk, are notoriously quite difficult, even on the standard setting. LikeThe Alters, it’s actually quite difficult to reach an actual “game over” screen, but it’s not difficult to get stuck on the road to one. For instance, if a player mishandlesa crisis inFrostpunk, and they lose many civilizations as a result, they might not lose the game then and there, but the reduced workforce could slow food production ahead of a massive storm, which then leads to a proper loss. If handled improperly, these sorts of crises can determine a player’s fate before they realize it.
This scenario is far lesscommon inThe Alters, thanks to a more lenient resource economy and a number of safeguards. Food demands are incredibly low relative to the abundance of organics available, Alter moods can be boosted considerably with a quick game of beer pong, and precious resources like metals and minerals are only used for building, making technological progression far quicker. Additionally, many elements of the game move at a brisk pace, so it’s easy to research the right solution or farm the right resources in a pinch.
Naturally, this is great—in some ways, at least. For getting lost in the story, unbothered by uber-stressful resource-managing nuances, this more accessible design is perfect. But one of the most peculiar elements of11 Bit Studios gamesis that they can endear themselves to players because of their stressful gameplay, not in spite of it. Indeed, it’s only natural to feel immersed, engaged, and invested when a game is serving up life-or-death choices left and right.
For those who love those aspects of 11 Bit Studios' survival games—the crushing, high-stress ones—hard mode isthe way to go inThe Alters. When playing on this difficulty, it’s not absurdly hard, but perfectly balanced for those seeking a tense challenge. Resources are more stringent, action setpieces are more punishing and cinematic, and choices have far more weight to them. It’s under such conditions that many elements ofThe Alters, from its management gameplay to its high-stakes narrative, can be elevated, at least for a specific type of player.
WHERE TO PLAY
The Alters is an ambitious sci-fi survival game with a unique twist. You play as Jan Dolski, the lone survivor of a crash-landed expedition on a hostile planet. To survive, you must form a new crew for your mobile base.
Using a substance called Rapidium, you create alternative versions of Jan - THE ALTERS - each one shaped by a different crucial decision from the protagonist’s past.
