The Alters ranks among this year’s standout titles — and one of its most tense. Juggling multiple versions of Jan to prevent mutiny while surviving an irradiated world is intensely nerve‑wracking, but a new free update, announced during 11 Bit Studios’ digital showcase and released today, aims to dial down some of that pressure.
At the heart of the update is a fresh, noir‑tinged storyline — a shadowy mystery only a Jan could unravel (or complicate). The patch also brings a suite of quality‑of‑life improvements and a range of new customization options.
Previously, saves were limited to the end of each in‑game day; the new save system lets you record progress at pivotal gameplay moments, giving you finer control over branching decisions. A new Relax Mode removes or softens survival mechanics and time pressure so you can prioritize the narrative without constant stress.
The Jans’ wheel‑shaped space base also receives cosmetic upgrades: you can repaint individual base segments, and Jan’s spacesuit gains several new skins — including designs inspired by 11 Bit’s Frostpunk and the game Death Howl.
Highlights included in the update:
- Gamer’s Den — A communal area where stranded Jans can decompress.
- Fully playable card game — A low‑stakes diversion to play against your alternates.
- Custom base skins — Personalize the look of each module.
- Custom spacesuit skins — New outfits to change Jan’s appearance.
- Photo Mode — Capture memorable (or disastrous) Jan moments.
- Relax Mode — Experience the story with reduced survival pressure.
- Expanded save system — Save during key moments to manage branching paths.
- New noir‑styled storyline — A moody mystery tailored to the game’s peculiar cast.
The Alters follows Jan Dolski, stranded on a hostile planet, forced to create alternate versions of himself with varying skills and temperaments to escape. The game deliberately tests how you cope with stress and make decisions under pressure; its lead performer, Alex Jordan, voices a dozen distinct Jans and earned wide praise for the role.
The Alters is available now on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.
Source: Polygon
