The Alters

Short description: 2025 video game

The Alters

Developer(s)| 11 Bit Studios
Publisher(s)| 11 Bit Studios
Director(s)| Tomasz Kisilewicz
Designer(s)| Rafał Włosek
Artist(s)| Tomasz Kisilewicz
Composer(s)| Piotr Musiał
Engine| Unreal Engine 5
Platform(s)|

* PlayStation 5
* Windows
* Xbox Series X/S

Release| 13 June 2025
Genre(s)| Survival
Mode(s)| Single-player

The Alters is a 2025 survival game developed and published by 11 Bit Studios. In the game, the player assumes control of Jan Dolski, a space miner who must create alternative versions of himself in order to survive on an inhospitable planet. It was released for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on 13 June 2025, to generally positive reviews from critics. The game won Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year at the 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.

## Contents

* 1 Gameplay
* 2 Synopsis
* 2.1 Characters and setting
* 2.2 Plot
* 3 Development and release
* 4 Reception
* 4.1 Critical response
* 4.2 Sales
* 4.3 Accolades
* 5 References
* 6 External links

## Gameplay

In the game, Jan must create Alters, alternate versions of himself who made different life choices, in order to survive.

In The Alters, the player assumes control of Jan Dolski, a builder working on the Project Dolly space expedition. Jan needs to pilot a massive, wheel-shaped base along the planet surface to stay out of the range of the sun, which can kill him due to lethal radiation.[1] It is a survival game in which players need to explore the planet and mine for resources and materials, which is essential for maintaining and expanding the base.[2] Infrastructure, such as electricity pylons, must be built to provide power for mining equipment. Base expansion is similar to games such as Fallout Shelter and XCOM, with players being tasked to attach new rooms and modules to the base, advancing its capabilities and keeping its crew content.[3] Each segment of the game is timed, as the sun will rise and obliterate the player's entire crew. One second of real-world time is equivalent to one in-game minute.[2]

To survive and escape before sunrise, he must create "Alters" using a material known as Rapidium. Alters are alternate versions of himself who made different life choices, and therefore, have their own distinct skill sets, lifestyles and personalities. Using a system named the "Tree of Life", the original Jan can look at his own life path and choose which Alter to bring into life.[4] Alters can offer solutions to the problems the player is currently facing. For instance, a scientist Jan may be able to help players to research new ways to navigate through the game's hostile environments. Each Alter has their own emotions, needs and fears, and players need to regularly check on their status. If left unattended, they may act rashly, resulting in unforeseen consequences.[5] There is a maximum number of Alters a player can create in one playthrough.[6]

## Synopsis

### Characters and setting

Jan Dolski (Alex Jordan[7]) is an unremarkable builder aboard an Ally Corp mining ship en route to a hostile, rare, triple-star world in search of the rare, newly-discovered element Rapidium, which has time-accelerating properties. Dolski accepted the mission to escape Earth, haunted by his mother's death, an abusive father, and a failed marriage to his ex-wife Lena, ruined by his insecurities and obsession with his regrets.[8][9][10][11]

The ship crashlands on the planet for unknown reasons, leaving Jan the sole survivor on the distant, isolated and desolate planet, riddled with dangerous gravitational anomalies, environmental hazards, and an encroaching, scorching sun, with the wheel-shaped base serving as his only sanctuary.[10][11][8]

The ship's quantum computer contains a detailed memory scan of the crew, including Jan, and can calculate points in history where Jan may have made different choices and become an alternate version of himself.[11] Using the newly-found Rapidium and the quantum computer, Jan is able to generate rapidly grown clones, known as Alters, that represent versions of himself that made different choices at pivotal moments, such as Jan Technician, who stood up to his father when the original Jan ran away, creating a more gruff, assertive, and technically-abled Alter.[8][9] Throughout the game, Jan is able to make several other Alters, including the career-driven Jan Scientist, Jan Miner, Jan Doctor, and Jan Botanist (all[7] voiced by Alex Jordan), who have their own memories and distinctly different lives dictated by the alternate choice they made to the original Jan.[8][10][11]

### Plot

On approach to the unexplored planet, the Ally Corp mining vessel is catastrophically damaged by an unknown force, forcing an evacuation. Jan awakens alone on the planet's surface and discovers the team dead. He locates the base, but due to intense natural phenomena he struggles to contact help. A fragmented voice warns that sunrise will scorch his location in days, so he must make the base mobile.

While exploring the area, Jan discovers the highly coveted Rapidium, which will make Ally Corp prioritize his rescue. The voice instructs him to verify it by rapidly gestating an adult clone of a sheep (Molly). As Jan cannot operate the Base alone, the voice encourages him to use its quantum computer, which contains a scan of his memories, to create an Alter of himself by simulating a divergent life path, creating the Technician.

With the Technician's help, the base moves, and communication clears. Jan learns the voice belongs to Lucas Peña, a space traffic controller. Lucas admits his boss, Maxwell, suggested creating the Alter, an ethically illegal act, to ensure the recovery of the Rapidium, which could revolutionize humanity. The base halts at an impassable lava pit. Jan creates more Alters to help, including the Scientist, Doctor, Miner, and Botanist. The Scientist develops a remote bridge, enabling progress.

They are soon stopped by a colossal gravitational anomaly. Meanwhile, Molly the sheep suddenly dies. An autopsy reveals a brain mutation caused by its rapid gestation. Scans show all Alters are afflicted and will also soon die. Jan confers separately with Maxwell, and his ex-wife Lena (who works for Ally Corp) for help: Maxwell suggests creating an Alter with no memories—avoiding the mutation—and fatally harvesting its tissue; Lena offers a neural implant design, which will expose the Alters' existence to Ally Corp. Either option upsets the Alters. Lena's suggestion also exposes Maxwell's involvement, resulting in his and Lucas's firing and the intervention of Ally Corp COO Agatha, who reveals that Maxwell is a disgraced scientist responsible for a deadly memory manipulation project. Lucas later confesses he knew about Maxwell, but kept quiet out of fear.

After the gravitational anomaly is neutralized, the Technician betrays Jan, knocking him unconscious. He and a group of dissenting Alters flee in a secretly repaired ground vehicle. Jan regains consciousness to find the base in transit, lost in a sandstorm, and on the brink of collapse. Desperate, he uses the quantum computer to manipulate his memories to become a better leader. In a surreal desert mindscape, he encounters the Stranger, a manifestation of his subconscious, who can help Jan accept himself and reveals the quantum computer saved him over his crew because it calculated he had the highest chance of leading the mission to success.

Reinvigorated, Jan suggests navigating the sandstorm by tracking the rebel Alters' vehicle. He locates them in a barren wasteland and builds a beacon to signal the rescue team. However, the signal is blocked by a massive planetary anomaly which also caused the original crash. He and the Scientist discover a tree-like structure existing out of phase with their reality and construct a device to bring it into their world, allowing Jan to destroy it and activate the beacon. Maxwell or Agatha insist the Alters existence is concealed, so they construct a fake Rapidium storage unit to smuggle themselves back in suspended animation. Jan can optionally attempt to reunite with the rebel Alters before the rescue team arrives and the survivors and Rapidium are returned to Earth.

The ending varies based on the player's choices. If Jan sides with his Alters, he commandeers the rescue ship and returns to Earth, allowing them to escape, but is put on trial for various crimes. Supporting Maxwell results in him hoarding the Rapidium for his illicit experiments, and coercing Jan's cooperation. If Jan sides with Agatha, he becomes the unhappy public face of Ally Corp's Rapidium recovery. Helping either, or failing to commandeer the rescue ship, leads to the Alters being captured, their fate unknown. Lena may either reconnect with Jan or sever ties permanently. Depending on events, she might be promoted or face trial herself for aiding him. If Lucas helps Jan seize the ship, he too goes on trial but finds peace in having done the right thing. The Scientist can remain on the planet to study a hidden oasis, and the Botanist can assume Jan's identity while he vanishes with the surviving Alters. Should Jan recover enough Rapidium, small start-ups begin using it to address Earth's global food shortage. In all endings, Jan receives a coded message from "J".

## Development and release

The Alters was developed by Polish game developer 11 Bit Studios, which had previously worked on This War of Mine and Frostpunk. The game was revealed by 11 Bit Studios in June 2022 during the PC Gaming Show 2022.[12] It was released for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on 13 June 2025.[13] The game was made available at launch to PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers at no additional cost.[14] The game is developed using Unreal Engine 5.[15]

Lead artist Tomasz Kisilewicz explained to the press that the game was influenced by psychological thrillers, and went on to describe The Alters as a "weird game".[3][16] While he described collecting resources as "the very base" of the game's economy, time was the game's most precious resource. While there are multiple ways for players to solve a certain problem, they would not have time to perform every task and therefore, must think strategically and prioritize their goals. The game play was inspired by Satisfactory.[6] The original idea for the game was to have players building and running a base in space by creating various copies of himself. The story of the game, which focused on how life choices and decisions may have led to very different outcomes, was created to supplement the setting. The team wanted these life choices to be relatable, as they are also commonly faced by people in real life.

According to the studio, "each Alter has a very carefully prepared personality and story that the player can interact with while playing".[6]

After the game's release, players discovered leftover AI prompts in subtitles and flavor text, implying LLM use, despite failing to declare this on their Steam storefront page as mandated by Valve Corporation.[17] 11 Bit responded to the controversy, confirming "AI-generated assets were used strictly as temporary WIPs during the development process". The assets were intended to be removed before launch.[18]

The developers recently introduced a Relax Mode as well in the game to let players enjoy the story aspect of the game and not get too worried about the survival and management parts of it.[19]

## Reception

### Critical response

Reception

| Aggregate score

Aggregator| Score
Metacritic| (PC) 85/100[20]
(PS5) 83/100[21]
(XSXS) 86/100[22]
Review scores
Publication| Score
Eurogamer| 4/5[11]
GameSpot| 8/10[8]
GamesRadar+| 4.5/5[25]
IGN| 8/10[7]
PC Gamer (US)| 90/100[26]
PCGamesN| 5/10[27]
Push Square| 8/10[28]

The Alters received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[21][20][22] OpenCritic determined that 95% of critics recommended the game.[23]

Eurogamer noted in their review that The Alters requires "perseverance", but sticking with it pays off. They praised the game's merging of ideas as original.[11] IGN praised the simple resource and management mechanics.[7]

### Sales

As of July 8, 2025, 11 Bit Studios reported that The Alters had sold over 280,000 copies across all platforms since its launch on June 13, 2025.[29]

### Accolades

Year  | Award  | Category  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

2024  | Gamescom Awards  | Gameplay  | Nominated  | [30]
Best Xbox Game  | Nominated
Best PC Game  | Nominated
2025  | Golden Joystick Awards  | Best Lead Performer (Alex Jordan) | Nominated  | [31]
PC Game of the Year  | Nominated
The Game Awards 2025  | Best Sim/Strategy Game  | Nominated  | [32]
2026  | 15th New York Game Awards  | Great White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game (Alex Jordan) | Nominated  | [33]
29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards  | Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year  | Won  | [34][35]
24th Game Audio Network Guild Awards  | Best Audio for an Indie Game  | Nominated  | [36][37]
Best Sound Design for an Indie Game  | Nominated
22nd British Academy Games Awards  | Game Beyond Entertainment  | Pending  | [38][39]
Game Design  | Longlisted
Narrative  | Pending
New Intellectual Property  | Pending
Performer in a Leading Role (Alex Jordan) | Longlisted

## References

1. ↑ Northup, Travis (October 4, 2023). "The Alters Might Be the Most Insane Sci-Fi Game I've Ever Seen, and I'm Sold". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/the-alters-might-be-the-most-insane-sci-fi-game-ive-ever-seen-and-im-sold. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cripe, Michael (October 4, 2023). "The Alters Uses Clones & Base Building to Tell an Intriguing 'What If?' Story [Preview"]. The Escapist. https://www.escapistmagazine.com/the-alters-uses-clones-base-building-to-tell-an-intriguing-what-if-story-preview/. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Castle, Katherine (October 4, 2023). "The Alters is a fascinating mash-up of survival management and confronting your own multiverse life choices". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-alters-is-a-fascinating-mash-up-of-survival-management-and-confronting-your-own-multiverse-life-choices. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
4. ↑ Purchese, Robert (October 5, 2023). "This War of Mine dev's clone survival game The Alters is a curious blend". Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/this-war-of-mine-devs-clone-survival-game-the-alters-is-a-curious-blend. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
5. ↑ Mills, Steven (October 4, 2023). "The Alters Preview — What Jan go wrong?". Destructoid. https://www.destructoid.com/the-alters-preview-what-jan-go-wrong/. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Palumbo, Alessio (October 4, 2023). "The Alters Preview and Q&A – 11 bit Studios Adds Branching Narrative Layers to Base Building Survival Genre". https://wccftech.com/the-alters-preview-and-qa-11-bit-studios-adds-branching-narrative-layers-to-base-building-survival-genre/. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Stapleton, Dan (June 13, 2025). "The Alters Review". https://www.ign.com/articles/the-alters-review.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Barbosa, Allessandro (June 13, 2025). "The Alters Review - Seeing Double". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-alters-review-seeing-double/1900-6418373/.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ruiz, Fran (June 14, 2025). "'The Alters' is a genre-blending sci-fi survival ordeal about the horrors of being a project manager". https://www.space.com/entertainment/space-games/the-alters-is-a-genre-blending-sci-fi-survival-ordeal-about-the-horrors-of-being-a-project-manager.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Borger, Will (June 15, 2024). "The Alters: Branching Narrative Explained – IGN First". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/the-alters-branching-narrative-explained-ign-first. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Purchese, Robert (June 13, 2025). "The Alters review - a perilous sci-fi road trip with my clones that I won't ever forget". https://www.eurogamer.net/the-alters-review.
12. ↑ Erskine, Donovan (June 12, 2022). "The Alters is a new game about life-changing decisions". Shacknews. https://www.shacknews.com/article/130871/the-alters-11-bit-reveal. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
13. ↑ Shea, Brian (April 10, 2025). "The Alters Release Date Revealed For June". Game Informer. https://www.gameinformer.com/2025/04/10/the-alters-release-date-revealed-for-june. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
14. ↑ Romano, Sal (October 1, 2024). "The Alters delayed to Q1 2025". Gematsu. https://www.gematsu.com/2024/10/the-alters-delayed-to-q1-2025.
15. ↑ Hashmi, Ali (12 June 2025). "The Alters Review - Talking to Myself". https://primagames.com/reviews/the-alters-review.
16. ↑ Carson, John (June 12, 2022). "The Alters Leverages The Power Alternate Selves". Game Informer. https://www.gameinformer.com/pc-gaming-show/2022/06/12/the-alters-leverages-the-power-alternate-selves. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
17. ↑ Blake, Vikki (2025-06-29). "Fans slam The Alters after discovering evidence of undisclosed gen AI in images, text, and translation" (in en). Eurogamer.net. https://www.eurogamer.net/fans-slam-the-alters-after-discovering-evidence-of-undisclosed-gen-ai-in-images-text-and-translation.
18. ↑ "11-Bit Studios acknowledges the use of AI-generated text in The Alters". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/11-bit-studios-acknowledges-the-use-of-ai-generated-text-in-the-alters.
19. ↑ "The Alters New Difficulty is a Survival Game Without Survival Mechanics" (in en-US). 2025-12-08. https://thegameslayer.com/news/the-alters-new-difficulty-is-a-survival-game-without-survival-mechanics/.
20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "The Alters — PC Critic Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-alters/critic-reviews/?platform=pc.
21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "The Alters — PlayStation 5 Critic Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-alters/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5.
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "The Alters for Xbox Series X Reviews". 3 October 2025. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-alters/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x.
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "The Alters Reviews". 12 June 2025. https://opencritic.com/game/18397/the-alters.
24. ↑ Lennox, Jesse (June 12, 2025). "The Alters review: philosophical sci-fi carries this fascinating survival game" (in en-us). https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/the-alters-review-ps5/.
25. ↑ Watts, Rachel (June 12, 2025). "The Alters review: 'More tactile and story-heavy than the Frostpunk dev's earlier games, but the fight for survival is just as fierce'" (in en). https://www.gamesradar.com/games/survival/the-alters-review/.
26. ↑ Brunskill, Kerry (June 12, 2025). "The Alters is tough, relentless, unforgettable, and everything I say or do matters" (in en). https://www.pcgamer.com/games/adventure/the-alters-review/.
27. ↑ Kelly, Paul (June 12, 2025). "Frostpunk dev's new sci-fi survival game is only for those who love deadlines and suffering" (in en-US). https://www.pcgamesn.com/the-alters/review.
28. ↑ van der Velde, Issy (June 12, 2025). "Review: The Alters (PS5) - Thought-Provoking Sci-Fi Caper Is 11 Bit Studios' Best Game Yet" (in en-GB). https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/the-alters.
29. ↑ Carcasole, David (2025-07-08). "The Alters Pushes Past 280K Copies Sold Since Launch" (in en-US). https://wccftech.com/the-alters-pushes-past-280k-copies-sold/.
30. ↑ Lyles, Taylor (23 August 2024). "gamescom 2024 Award Winners Revealed: Monster Hunter Wilds Wins Big". https://www.ign.com/articles/gamescom-2024-award-winners-revealed.
31. ↑ Loveridge, Sam (20 November 2025). "All the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 winners revealed". https://www.gamesradar.com/games/events-conferences/golden-joystick-awards-2025-all-winners/.
32. ↑ Lewis, Claire (December 11, 2025). "Here are all The Game Awards 2025 winners". Polygon. https://www.polygon.com/the-game-awards-2025-all-winners/.
33. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (2025-12-15). "After setting records at The Game Awards, Clair Obscur is up for another GOTY" (in en). https://www.polygon.com/new-york-game-awards-goty-nominations-clair-obscur/.
34. ↑ Robinson, Andy (2026-01-08). "Clair Obscur, Ghost of Yōtei, Arc Raiders, and Dispatch top DICE Awards nominees" (in en-US). https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/clair-obscur-ghost-of-yotei-arc-raiders-and-dispatch-top-dice-awards-nominees/.
35. ↑ "29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Winners Revealed". February 12, 2026. https://www.interactive.org/contact/29th_annual_dice_awards_winners_revealed.asp. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
36. ↑ Levy, Giana (December 17, 2025). "‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’ and ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’ Among Game Audio Network Guild Nominees". Variety. https://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/game-audio-network-guild-2026-nominees-1236609132/. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
37. ↑ Turkeltaub, Payton (March 12, 2026). "2026 G.A.N.G. Awards: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Hades II and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Lead Winners". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on March 12, 2026. https://web.archive.org/web/20260312220858/https://variety.com/2026/gaming/awards/2026-gang-awards-1236684796/. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
38. ↑ McGowen, Andrew (December 9, 2025). "‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle,’ ‘Ghost of Yōtei’ and ‘Split Fiction’ Among Best Game Contenders in 2026 BAFTA Games Awards Longlist". Variety. https://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/bafta-game-longlist-indiana-jones-ghost-yotei-split-fiction-1236604921/. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
39. ↑ Lewis, Claire (March 12, 2026). "BAFTA Games Awards Nominees Announced, Clair Obscur Gets 12 Nominations". GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/bafta-games-awards-nominees-announced-clair-obscur-gets-12-nominations/2900-7570/. Retrieved March 15, 2026.

## External links

* Official website

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