The Alters – Are You Me? [Field Report]

This will not be a review, since I haven’t finished the game yet. Yet, I find myself compelled to talk about The Alters. I’m not going to go into too many mechanics, as I mostly want to talk about the impressive narrative structure. I’m not sure if I have actually experienced anything similar. Not in this genre at least, which is some kind of base-building/management game. 

Existential sci-fi
Without trying to spoil too much, the story, at least in the beginning, is about a man being stranded alone on an unwelcome planet—with deadly solar flares incoming ready to melt the meat of the bones. However, being in space and running a fairly large base like this can’t be done solo.

Alters
So what to do? How about creating “Alters”, alternative versions of yourself—who you could have been, so to say. With the help of quantum mechanics and a new magical resource only found deep in space. That strange substance is why we are here in the first place. It’s apparently something that will change the course of mankind, so you could say it holds some importance.

What makes it intriguing
Now, what I find unique about The Alters is how close the narrative feels to actually reading a good book, without the actual reading (almost). There is a lot of dialogue in the game, but just having a ton of voiced lines holds no weight by itself—it’s what you do with it. And well, The Alters is extremely well-written by gaming standards, with real (C&C) choice and consequences included, which makes it even more impressive. One thing that makes the writing stand out is how sincere it is. It’s mature, but not without being very funny at times too. No quips or anything like that to ruin the vibe (Marvthos*). It makes the experience feel very fresh in this day and age.

First, we have the sci-fi story, which by itself is fascinating, even if presented pretty straightforward with branching paths for you to take—some good, some horrific. My game ended in a state of screaming and death, and that’s why I’m here now. Secondly, the story, the tale of survival, the stuff that goes beyond the plot is formed by you—all depending on whom you decide to “create” as your companions in this doomed endeavor. There are so many variables that come from this, just thinking about it makes my head spin a bit.

Every one of the ten Alters comes with their own personality, with their own wants and needs, which means you can easily piss them off accidentally. That’s not all; everyone seems to have a solid unshakable moral core. When it comes down to the vital crucial moments, you might have a mutiny on your hands if you are not careful. I will give you a hint: treat your Alters with silk gloves, even when you are convinced that you are in the right—especially then perhaps. 

Just like the plot, everything involving the Alters is also exceptionally written. It turns every Alter into a real person, as far as fictional gaming characters go. And if you handle a lot of people in real life, you know how unpredictable folks are, and I feel the game captures this aspect perfectly. Navigating the human mind might be as dangerous as a minefield at times.  

In the future
My first intense run ended in total disaster with everyone and their mother dead, with me about a chapter or so from completing The Alters. This means, since it’s such a heavy narrative game, I will let it rest for six months to a year to not dilute the mystery, hence this field report. But as explained, the story, and how it’s structured is fun and impressive, so I will give it a temporary rating of four on the good old skellie entertainment rating. 

The actual gameplay, having you run around and mine ore and explore is okay, but unfortunately not much more than that. Very basic stuff, and I can’t say I’m that into the survival grind as it is, but it works thanks to the engaging story. Do I recommend it? Yes, I do, especially if you want to experience something unique with a serious tone for once.

As it happens, on the day of writing this article, the game got a DLC (The Alters: Last Variable), which apparently expands on one specific ending. So, currently, there’s a lot to nerd out over!

Thanks for reading.

– Thomas

*Marvthos — a term I’m coining here to describe the modern way of deliberately cheapening a sincere or dramatic moment with a quip, ironic statement or constant sarcasm. The name is a nod toward the Marvel‑style tonal sabotage that has become standard in modern blockbuster writing.