The Alters really does deserve the awards it's received, though it's outrageous it isn't more widely known and played, so I feel compelled to write a review. This game is really special, and the fact you can buy it bundled with Clair Obscur means you would probably get your 2026 fill of narrative games that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

If you enjoy exploration, base management, survival with perhaps a dystopian edge, and clever Sci-Fi with relationship building and ethical decision-making, I think you will love this game. 11 bit studios are fast becoming one of my favourite developers, with This War of Mine and Frostpunk as other releases with a gritty, ethical decision-making and survival edge. I think if you have played Frostpunk, you might recognise an element to the mechanics of the 'emergencies' and driving sense of urgency that can occur in The Alters. There is also a Frostpunk spacesuit!

Without spoiling too much, the game's narrative speaks to philosophical and psychological themes, including of what life could be if we make different decisions at different points; whilst at the same time, what may play out the same no matter what we do... There are also different endings and configurations that mean you would need to play the game twice (even with some smart saves, and I am pleased the developers added the option to protect your saves. Also to highlight conversation choices that you made previously before reloading your save). I appreciate that's personal preference whether you like the design of having to play at least twice, which usually I don't particularly like but in this instance I look forward to replaying.

Beautiful graphics exploring the planet, great soundtrack curated by the developers with love, and lots of little details including specific mini 'movies' created for the game. I don't know if it was purposeful or not, but I can't help but see the main character as a nod or acknowledgement to one of my favourite Cosmonauts, Alexander "Sasha" Lazutkin who is featured in BBC Documentary Once Upon a Time in Space (also excellent). Lastly, I am a Psychologist and I love their depiction of this in the game (bar their description of them as 'Shrink'). There is DLC announced, and all I can say is I would love a sequel to continue with where the story ends.

AMAZING GAME, LOVED IT, THE 55 DAYS SPENT IN-GAME WERE LITERALLY AMAZING AND MIND BLOWING.
EXPECTING A GAME FROM THE MAKERS THAT HAS MORE TO IT AND CAN BE MULTIPLAYER, IT WILL MAKE THE GAME MORE INTENSE.
LOVED THE GAME.

The Alters completely pulled me in and didn’t let go. What starts as a survival and base-building experience quickly becomes something much deeper—an exploration of identity, choices, and the weight of the paths we take in life.

The core concept is brilliant: constantly moving forward, staying just ahead of the sun, creates a persistent sense of urgency that never really lets up. That pressure ties perfectly into the gameplay loop—managing your base, making decisions, and pushing onward even when things feel uncertain or overwhelming.

But what really stood out to me was the psychological side of the game. Dealing with multiple versions of yourself—each shaped by different life choices—forces you to confront some uncomfortable but very real questions. Who would you be if things had gone differently? How much do your decisions define you? The game doesn’t just ask these questions—it makes you feel them.

There’s a surprising amount of depth here. The writing and voice acting bring real weight to the story, and the moral dilemmas aren’t just there for show—they stick with you. I found myself thinking not just about what the “right” choice was in the game, but about how those same kinds of decisions shape who we become in real life.

It’s rare for a game to balance engaging mechanics with genuinely thought-provoking themes, but The Alters does it incredibly well. Between the management systems, the constant tension, and the emotional storytelling, it’s a hard experience to put down.

This isn’t just a good game—it’s one that makes you stop and reflect. And that’s what makes it memorable.