multiple lives

The Alters is a sci-fi survival narrative game developed by the well-known Polish studio 11 bit Studios. The game is based on "quantum cloning" as the core setting. Players play the role of Jan Dorski, the only survivor of a space expedition. They use the mysterious substance "Sunda gas" and quantum computers to create clones with different life trajectories (such as scientists, miners, doctors, etc.), set up a mobile base on a deadly planet, and explore the ultimate proposition of survival and self-understanding.Through the "one person, thousands of faces" design, the pressure of survival and philosophical speculation are deeply integrated. Players not only have to deal with resource shortages and alien threats, but also face the inner conflicts and the complexity of human nature., explores the nature of choice, memory and existence through multiple ending narratives and moral dilemmas.

multiple livesGame features

Quantum cloning: the game of multiple selves

The game materializes "parallel lives" in a ground-breaking way. Each avatar corresponds to the protagonist Yang's different choices at key decision points:

Scientist Yang: Choosing an academic path, he is rational and calm but lacks empathy. He is good at scientific research but constantly conflicts with other clones.

Miner Yang: He lost his arm due to a work-related injury and has a violent and irritable personality, but he is indispensable in the construction of the base.

Botanist Young: He has a happy family but falls into a "cuckold" dilemma, dependent on others and weak in stress tolerance.

Avatars are not only tools, but also independent individuals - they have unique memories, emotions and personality flaws, and may even launch rebellions out of dissatisfaction with the status quo. Players need to soothe their emotions through dialogue and unlock comprehension skills such as "confidence" and "pragmatism" to influence subsequent plot choices.

The double shackles of survival and narrative

Time pressure: The planet is affected by the three-star system, and deadly radiation will erupt every few days. Players must complete resource collection, base expansion, and plot advancement before the countdown ends, otherwise everyone will die.

Resource management: Resources such as metals, organic matter, and gas need to be obtained through surface exploration and mining of mineral veins. Deep mineral veins need to be laid with cable towers to connect to the base, which is time-consuming and vulnerable to alien attacks.

Modular base: The mobile base can freely adjust the room layout, from basic canteens and dormitories to scientific research laboratories and leisure rooms, to meet the physical and psychological needs of the avatar and avoid strikes caused by negative emotions.

Philosophical speculation and multiple ending design

Through fragmented memories and conversations, the game reveals Yang's original family trauma (alcoholic father, early death of mother) and emotional failures (divorce, workplace setbacks), and raises ethical issues such as "do clones have souls" and "can memory define the self?" The player's choice directly affects the ending:

Self-sacrifice: Upload the ontological consciousness to the quantum computer in exchange for the clone escaping from the planet.

Collective redemption: Sacrifice the clone to retain the true body, but face the moral torture of "whether to deprive others of their right to life."

In addition, the hidden ending "The Hidden Truth" requires players to support scientist Young's private research, explore the planet's secrets and unlock the deep narrative.

Science fiction aesthetics and immersive experience

The game uses low-saturated tones and a futuristic technological style, contrasting the dead silence of the desolate planet with the warmth of the base. The scream of oxygen leaking from the space suit, the sound of mechanical operation when the avatar is working, combined with dynamic light and shadow (such as reflection of mineral veins, red light of radiation alarm), create a tense and depressing atmosphere. Cut scenes are presented with movie-level storyboards, such as the flow of gene chains when clones are born, and particle special effects when collecting Xun gas, which enhances the visual impact.

multiple livesGame play

Surface Exploration: Survival on an Alien Planet Full of Danger

Resource collection: After driving the base to a new area during the day, players need to explore the location of the mineral veins on foot, use detectors to locate and build outposts, and connect the base to power supply through cable towers.

Abnormal phenomena: Supernatural phenomena such as distorted space and invisible creatures are randomly refreshed on the map. You need to use a searchlight to illuminate the core to eliminate them, and you will be rewarded with universal resources and scientific research points.

Survival challenge: The power and radiation of the space suit are consumed in real time. Getting lost or being attacked may lead to death. It is necessary to plan the route and supplies in advance.

Base Management: Precise collaboration of clones

Division of labor system: allocate work according to the characteristics of the avatar (such as a botanist managing a greenhouse, a doctor treating injuries and illnesses) to improve efficiency and alleviate negative emotions.

Module expansion: Consume resources to unlock new rooms (such as medical rooms, entertainment rooms) to meet the needs of clones and avoid productivity reduction due to debuffs such as "hunger" and "loneliness".

Research tree: Scientist Yang leads research to unlock key technologies such as clone upgrades (such as mechanical prosthetics, radiation resistance), base defense (such as automatic turrets), etc.

Narrative drive: piecing together memory fragments

Quantum computer: By simulating Young's life trajectory, he unlocks memory fragments and reveals his background story such as the breakdown of his relationship with his wife Lina and his mother's regrets on her deathbed.

Dialogue selection: When communicating with the avatar, you need to choose a response based on its personality (such as appeasing the grumpy miners, agreeing with the rationality of the scientists). Wrong choices may lead to deterioration of the relationship or even rebellion.

multiple livesGame guide

Avatar management strategy

Prioritize unlocking of scientists: Scientific research is the core of advancing the main line. Creating scientists as early as possible and completing "pragmatic" understanding can unlock the overtime mechanism to improve efficiency.

To appease the miners: Provide mechanical prosthetics or Xun gas bionic arms to relieve phantom pain, and build a recreation room to play pinball with them to avoid rebellion caused by negative emotions.

Utilize a botanist: assigned to the greenhouse to grow organic matter to increase food production. At the same time, pay attention to her emotional dependence on Lena to avoid triggering the "cuckold" plot.

Efficient collection of resources

Cable tower layout: laid radially from the base, giving priority to high-value mineral veins (such as Xun gas mines) to reduce resource waste.

Abnormal phenomenon handling: Carry a fully charged searchlight and give priority to clearing abnormalities close to the mineral veins to ensure the safety of collection.

Time planning: Pause exploration when there are 2 days left in the radiation countdown, and focus on base upgrades and clone appeasement to avoid resource losses due to hasty evacuation.

Hidden content trigger

Scientist branch: agree to his private research request, explore the source of abnormal signals, and unlock the "Hidden Truth" achievement and in-depth plot.

Whiteboard Clone: ​​Hack into a quantum computer to create a clone without memory. After interaction, you can gain the understanding of "the joy of life" and influence the ending dialogue options.

Holographic projection: Find the forest chip to build the park, and have a heart-to-heart talk with technician Yang to trigger the plot, revealing his mother's last words.

Ending route choice

Neural implant: Sacrifice the original consciousness and let the avatar return to the earth carrying Xun gas, unlocking the "collective redemption" ending.

Brain surgery: retain the original body but lose the memory, live with the clone, and achieve the ending of "rebirth".

Secret ending: After completing the scientist branch, choose to stay on the planet to continue exploring and unlock the "Existential" easter egg.

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