Surviving the Sun: A Stressful First look at The Alters
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Three days is all I had until Jan, Jan, Jan, and Jan burned to a crisp.
I awoke and went to the elevator where Jan Miner passed by muttering something about the “fucked-up world we live it.” Agreed.
I noticed an “Alter Rebellion” brewing on my tasks list. Great.
I went down to the kitchen where Jan’s other Alters had gathered.
Jan Technician started complaining – yet again – about wanting to play beer pong, yet I still had no idea how we were going to acquire enough fuel to get our wheel-shaped space base out of dodge.
In The Alters I’m not chasing a sunrise to admire it, I’m running TF away from it lest it kill me.
The Alters, a new game from 11 Bit Studios, is ostensibly a survival and management sim where you, Jan Dolski, the sole survivor of a failing expedition, must find a way off an irradiated rock before its sun kills you.
In Real Life, The Alters is a test of how you handle stress and how well you can manage decision-making under pressure.
The game is full of tasks, resources, and systems to manage that are stressful enough, not to mention the pressure of keeping the alternate versions of Jan happy.
You’ll quickly find yourself inundated with tasks – like having to make sure Jan’s Alters don’t start a mutiny because they don’t like your shit cooking – as well as optional objectives to sort out.
Act 1 found Jan needing to build a bridge over a lava river so the base can keep moving away from the sun.
I struggled to focus on that objective as I was quickly overwhelmed with needing to grow crops, meal prep, secure resources to build the bridge anchors, build those anchors, keep radiation filters in production, and a myriad of other tasks.
Because of all this, I entirely overlooked the Qubit Chip questline.
This was a crucial mistake, as building and implementing the Qubit Chip into the base’s quantum computer opened up research tasks for Jan Scientist, which was the only way I could expand my fuel tank.
Without the expanded fuel tank, my base weighed so much that it required more fuel to get moving than it could store.
During my first attempt at hauling our asses across the bridge, jan Scientist lost his research due to a malfunction in the lab.
Because of course the lab malfunctioned. So he had to spend the next day repeating that research.
By the time our fuel tank had expanded, my ticking clock left no time to go mine fuel, leading to death by sunrise.
The Appeal of Survival Sims
Survival simulation games have gained immense popularity in recent years, captivating players with their immersive and challenging gameplay.
These games frequently enough require players to manage resources, build shelters, and overcome environmental hazards to stay alive.
The Alters builds upon this genre by adding a unique twist with its focus on alternate versions of the main character and the ethical dilemmas they present.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Alters
What is The Alters about?
The Alters is a survival and management sim where you, as jan Dolski, must escape an irradiated planet before its sun destroys you.
What kind of challenges does The Alters present?
The game presents challenges in resource management, task prioritization, and maintaining the happiness of Jan’s alternate versions.
Why is fuel so important in The Alters?
Fuel is crucial for moving the wheel-shaped space base away from the deadly sun. Without enough fuel, the base becomes immobile, leading to demise.
What happens if Jan’s Alters are unhappy?
Unhappy Alters can lead to mutiny, adding another layer of stress and management to the gameplay.
How does the qubit Chip impact gameplay in The alters?
Implementing the Qubit Chip unlocks research tasks for Jan scientist, which is essential for expanding the fuel tank and ensuring survival.
What resources are needed to survive in The Alters?
Players need to grow crops, prepare meals, secure resources for building, and maintain radiation filters to survive in The Alters.
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