The Alters

Jan Dolski wakes up on a barren rock in 2025, far from Earth and completely alone. The survival game The Alters by 11 Bit Studios turns this isolation into a puzzle where the only way to survive is to multiply yourself. Players guide Jan as he mines resources and builds a base while simultaneously managing multiple versions of his own consciousness. Each alter brings different skills or memories, forcing you to balance their needs against the planet's harsh conditions. This unique mechanic transforms standard resource gathering into a complex management challenge where your past selves become both allies and liabilities.

Each version of Jan represents a different life path or decision, resulting in distinct personalities ranging from cautious diplomats to reckless adventurers. You must assign tasks like repairing equipment or exploring the terrain while monitoring hunger, fatigue, and sanity levels. Neglect leads to mental breakdowns or sabotage, turning your own history into a potential threat. The narrative structure adapts based on these choices, creating a story that explores identity and regret through the lens of survival. [edit]

The core loop combines base-building and resource management with deep character simulation. Players gather materials to repair the ship for escape but must juggle the conflicting demands of multiple alters. One might be an expert engineer while another struggles with anxiety. Balancing their stress levels prevents them from refusing orders or sabotaging work. Decisions made during gameplay determine which alters exist and how they interact, shaping the colony's fate. [edit]

After a catastrophic crash leaves him stranded on a desolate planet, Jan discovers a device allowing him to summon alternate versions of himself. These alters reflect different career paths and life choices, creating immediate tension between the original Jan and his other selves. As they uncover the planet's secrets, the group faces difficult choices about whether to stay and build a new life or attempt escape. The narrative focuses on self-acceptance and the weight of regret rather than external threats. [edit]