I’m 10 hours deep into 11 bit Studios’ latest survival-simulation entry, The Alters, and I can’t put it down. Part of me wonders how a game like this managed to keep pulling me back in after I stopped playing, and part of me is honestly glad I never saw anything beyond the trailer, as that made the experience even better.
The Alters is already a strong Game of the Year contender for me, and that’s saying a lot, considering this year has had plenty of great titles.
What is The Alters about?
In the simplest terms (and without spoiling anything), The Alters is a science fiction survival game about staying alive on a planet with an unstable sun.
At first glance, you might think it’s just another simulation game, similar to Fallout Shelter. After all, it features familiar base-building mechanics. It might even look like a mobile game at first. But trust me, it’s so much more than that.
The opening minutes alone hint that this isn’t just about surviving and adapting to a hostile planet surrounded by an angry sun. There’s real depth here.
One of The Alters’ most unique elements is its premise: you’re essentially the lone survivor of a crew that crash-landed on a dangerous planet in search of a resource that can “rapidly grow” organic life in seconds. It’s a capitalist’s wet dream and one that protagonist Jan Dolski is tasked with extracting. But to do that, he needs more manpower. That’s where the game’s wild cloning mechanic comes into play.
Why is it called The Alters?
Alters are your alternate selves; clones made from your DNA who took completely different life paths.
For example, one Alter is a Jan who didn’t finish college and became a miner. Another earned a PhD and became a scientist. It’s a fascinating twist on the idea of cloning, one that reminded me of Bong Joon-ho’s recent film, Mickey 17. 11 bit Studios clearly wants us to empathize with these versions of Jan, treating them as living beings rather than just fabricated tools. It would hurt to see them perish.
It’s a brilliant way to reinvent the simulation genre. Instead of generic and randomly generated NPCs a la Fallout Shelter, I found myself genuinely caring about these alternate versions of myself. Each one has their own choices, careers, and traumas. We all came from the same abusive father and protective mother, but our lives diverged from there.
Every time I create a new Alter, I read about their past, what happened to them, and why they chose a certain path. It feels like watching a butterfly effect unfold.
Why I’m Obsessed With It
The Alters has me completely obsessed thanks to its addictive gameplay loop.
Like any survival game, you craft tools, prepare food, and gather resources. On paper, it sounds basic, but soon, it evolves into a deeply philosophical experience that explores consciousness, morality, and what it truly means to be “you.” It felt like playing 1000xRESIST again.
Beyond its engaging story, what’s kept me hooked is how well the gameplay is designed. As Jan, you explore the planet for materials (mineral and organic deposits) and mine them for survival. Time is limited each day, and once radiation levels rise, you need to return to safety. It introduces a layer of pressure and micromanagement that keeps you on edge. This is perfect for fans of 11bit Studios’ other titles, This War of Mine and Frostpunk.
It reminds me a lot of Death Stranding; wandering alone across an eerie, barren landscape. That lonely routine is something I’ve always loved in games like Persona, Stardew Valley, or The Sims. Waking up and starting the day anew feels like a responsibility, one I have to fulfill not just for myself, but for the Alters. It mirrors real life in strange ways, just minus the part where the sun might vaporize the entire planet. Maybe in a billion years.
The Alters is easily one of my personal favorites this year, and I’m so glad I went in blind. It’s a surprising evolution of the survival-sim genre that could push more developers to explore deeper science fiction themes within highly engaging gameplay loops.
Best of all? The Alters is just $30–$40. And for that price, you’re getting a complete, polished experience without worrying about missing content. I can’t wait to dive back in.
For more The Alters, visit Gfinityesports.com, the best website for survival and simulation games.