Tag: The Alters

  • New Sci-Fi Survival Game Launches on Steam with Great Reviews

    New Sci-Fi Survival Game Launches on Steam with Great Reviews

    Key Takeaways

    1. Game Release and Reception: The Alters launched on June 13 and quickly received a “Very Positive” rating from over 1,000 reviews on Steam.

    2. Gameplay Mechanics: Players control Jan Dolski, creating different versions called Alters based on past choices, each with unique traits and abilities, focusing on survival and sci-fi narratives.

    3. Community Feedback: Reactions are mixed; while some praise the emotional depth and innovative concept, others criticize the timer-based gameplay for limiting exploration.

    4. Editions and Pricing: The game is available in standard and deluxe editions, with the latter offering cosmetic extras and future DLC, but these do not affect gameplay.

    5. Platforms and Discounts: The Alters is available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, currently offered at a 10% discount, bringing the price down to $31.49.


    11 bit studios has just launched their latest game, The Alters, on Steam. Released on June 13, it has gained traction quickly, boasting a “Very Positive” rating from over 1,000 reviews.

    Gameplay Overview

    The Alters is centered on survival mechanics and sci-fi narratives, putting you in the shoes of Jan Dolski, the lone survivor of a crashed expedition on a dangerous planet. Players are tasked with creating different versions of Jan, known as Alters, each influenced by significant choices from his past. These variations come with unique traits and abilities, leading to a makeshift crew filled with personal conflicts.

    Community Reactions

    The game blends multiple genres like base-building, resource management, and branching narratives, but the community’s response is mixed. Some players appreciate the emotional depth and uniqueness of the idea, while others express concerns about the timer-based gameplay in the Steam reviews. One user mentions it as “a survival game not need for speed racing,” suggesting that the time limit detracts from exploration. On the flip side, some argue it introduces a strategic element, even if it isn’t appealing to everyone.

    Editions and Pricing

    The game features a complete campaign and is available in both standard and deluxe editions. The deluxe edition comes with cosmetic outfits, a soundtrack, and future downloadable content, although these extras don’t seem to impact gameplay much.

    The Alters is currently accessible for PC, PS5 (currently priced at $499 on Amazon), and Xbox Series X|S at the time of its launch. As of now, there’s a 10% discount, reducing the price to $31.49. With its blend of deep storytelling and real-time survival strategy, it stands out as one of the more unconventional releases from 11 bit studios in recent memory.

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  • Xbox Game Pass Adds 5 New Titles, Including AAA Day-One Releases

    Xbox Game Pass Adds 5 New Titles, Including AAA Day-One Releases

    Key Takeaways

    1. Microsoft added five new games to Game Pass, including two new releases: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Remaster and The Alters.
    2. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Remaster features improved graphics and includes all 13 DLCs, offering intense third-person combat.
    3. Barbie Project Friendship is a family-friendly adventure game that allows players to restore a community center through quests and mini-games.
    4. Kingdom: Two Crowns is a strategic side-scroller where players build and protect a kingdom from nighttime enemies while gathering resources during the day.
    5. EA Sports FC 25, the latest soccer simulation game, offers a Supercharge Pack for subscribers and is available on Game Pass starting June 12.


    In the early days of June, Game Pass users had to make do with only two new games. But then, unexpectedly, the first two installments of a classic RPG were added, increasing the total to four titles. This week, Microsoft is raising the stakes with five additional games being added to the subscription service. Among these are two fresh releases: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine and The Alters.

    Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Remaster

    Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine makes its comeback as a remastered version of the 2011 classic, delivering improved graphics and modern technology to the battlefields of the Imperium. This major title enhances the Xbox Game Pass collection. Players will once again don the armor of Captain Titus, fighting against orks and Chaos demons on a devastated Forge World. This third-person action shooter is famous for its fierce combat, mixing intense hand-to-hand fighting with precise shooting without a cover system. Game Pass subscribers can access the Master Crafted Edition, which comes with all 13 DLCs that introduce new weapons, cooperative and multiplayer modes, along with a variety of cosmetic skins.

    A Fun Adventure for Younger Gamers

    The second week of June also offers something for younger audiences – or loyal Barbie enthusiasts – as Barbie Project Friendship arrives on Game Pass. This delightful adventure follows Barbie and her friend Barbie (often called Malibu and Brooklyn) as they return to Malibu to help restore the dilapidated Malibu Waves Community Center.

    Players can navigate through six colorful locations, such as the animal care center, skate park, and tech lab, completing simple quests, engaging in mini-games and solving puzzles. By gathering community points, they can unlock outfits and decorations to spruce up the center. Featuring local co-op and full voice acting, this game stands out as a great choice for families and younger players.

    A Strategic Challenge Awaits

    Kingdom: Two Crowns is a strategic side-scroller that puts players in the role of a monarch on horseback, tasked with building and expanding a kingdom across various islands while protecting it from a dark force known as the Greed. These enemies rise from portals at night, so players must utilize the daytime to collect coins, gather followers, and build defenses. The game combines simple visuals with intricate strategy, offering new mounts, technologies, and upgrades as players progress. It can be played solo or cooperatively, either locally or online.

    Exciting New Features in EA Sports FC 25

    EA Sports FC 25 – previously recognized as FIFA – is the well-loved soccer simulation game by Electronic Arts. Players can create their ideal teams, compete both online and offline, and manage careers across different modes. Starting June 12, this game will be accessible via EA Play as part of Game Pass for PC, Ultimate, and Xbox Cloud Gaming – without any extra cost.

    As an extra perk, subscribers will receive a Supercharge Pack until July 12, which includes 11 rare gold players rated 82 or higher, with one player having an overall rating of at least 87 and a TOTS loan player rated 93 or more. This provides players with a strong foundation in Ultimate Team mode, where they create their dream team from player cards and take on various challenges.

    Uncover the Mysteries of The Alters

    The Alters is a new sci-fi survival game from 11 bit studios, the creators of This War of Mine and Frostpunk. It launches directly into Game Pass, following Jan Dolski, a technician stranded on a hostile world after a crash. To survive, he uses a mysterious material called Rapidium to generate alternate versions of himself – known as “Alters” – each representing different life paths and possessing unique skills and personalities.

    Staying faithful to its survival roots, The Alters emphasizes base building, resource management, and morally complex decisions. Gameplay alternates between two perspectives: controlling Jan Dolski in third-person while managing the base in a 2.5D side view, similar to This War of Mine or Fallout Shelter. The Alters help in operating the mobile base, but their presence also raises emotional dilemmas. Your choices will determine the story’s trajectory and influence relationships among the different versions of Jan.

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  • 11-Bit Studios Announces The Alters Release Date

    11-Bit Studios Announces The Alters Release Date

    Key Takeaways

    1. Narrative-Focused Survival: The Alters is a survival game that emphasizes storytelling, developed by 11 bit studios, known for impactful titles like This War of Mine.

    2. Unique Mechanic with Alters: Players can create alternate versions of themselves called “The Alters,” each reflecting different choices from Jan Dolski’s past, with unique skills and personalities.

    3. Impact of Choices: The game features a branching storyline that explores themes of fate and identity, where player choices significantly affect gameplay and relationships.

    4. Complex Gameplay: Managing the needs of multiple Alters adds complexity to survival, requiring players to balance personal growth with mission objectives.

    5. Release Information: The Alters will launch on June 13, 2025, on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Game Pass, with a free demo available on Steam now.


    The Alters is gearing up to be one of the most fascinating narrative-focused survival games of 2025. Crafted by 11 bit studios, known for titles like This War of Mine and Frostpunk, this ambitious sci-fi adventure places players in the shoes of Jan Dolski, the only survivor of a failed mission on a treacherous alien planet. However, survival is not only about collecting resources and overseeing your mobile base—it’s also about facing your inner self. Quite literally.

    A Unique Twist on Survival

    With a peculiar material called Rapidium, Jan has the ability to create alternate versions of himself, known as “The Alters.” Each of these versions is influenced by different choices he made in his past. These aren’t mere duplicates; they come with distinct skills, emotional weights, and unique personalities. The essence of gameplay revolves around managing the needs of your Alters while dealing with harsh environments, dangerous anomalies, and difficult moral dilemmas.

    Choices Matter

    Players will dive into a branching storyline filled with “what if?” scenarios, encouraging them to think deeply about fate, identity, and the repercussions of their choices. As your collection of Alters expands, the complexity of managing your base and relationships increases, leading to difficult decisions between personal development and achieving mission goals.

    Whether it’s the profound storytelling, the intense survival gameplay, or the excitement of overseeing a crew made up entirely of different versions of yourself, The Alters is set to deliver an exceptional experience.

    Important Dates

    Circle the date—The Alters is set to launch on June 13, 2025, across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Game Pass. A free demo can be found now on Steam.

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  • The Alters: New Trailer for This War of Mine’s Spiritual Successor

    The Alters: New Trailer for This War of Mine’s Spiritual Successor

    Key Takeaways

    1. Game Premise: Players control Jan, who is stranded on a planet and must create alternate versions of himself called Alters to survive.

    2. Alters Concept: Alters are formed through Jan’s past choices, leading to different life outcomes and providing unique skills to aid in the journey.

    3. Emotional Management: Players must address the emotional health and individual needs of each Alter to progress in the game.

    4. Resource Collection: Similar to This War of Mine, players need to gather resources to escape from the planet before its destruction.

    5. Platform and Release: The Alters will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and PC, with an anticipated release later this year.


    The Alters is a new game coming from 11 bit Studios, known for their successful 2014 title, This War of Mine. Before the game’s release, a new trailer has been shared, showcasing additional details on how it draws inspiration from This War of Mine.

    Game Overview

    In the latest video, the publisher outlines the game’s premise, which features players stepping into the shoes of a character named Jan who finds himself stranded on an unfamiliar planet. To stay alive, players must create a team of alternate versions of Jan, known as Alters.

    The Concept of Alters

    These Alters emerge when players explore Jan’s past, making impactful choices that lead to different outcomes in his life. For instance, Jan might choose to attend college and become either a doctor or a botanist. Imagine it like Marvel’s Kang managing his multiversal counterparts, but here, these Jan variants originate from the same universe yet exist in different realities.

    Each Alter possesses unique skills that can assist Prime Jan in his journey. However, players must also address the individual needs of these Alters, including their emotional health, to ensure the mission advances. Similar to This War of Mine, players will need to collect resources to facilitate their escape from the planet, which faces destruction within a limited timeframe.

    Gameplay Dynamics

    With the planet’s looming destruction, the needs of the Alters, and the consequences of your choices, The Alters promises to offer an engaging experience. It is set to launch on PlayStation 5 (priced at $499 on Amazon), Xbox Series S/Series X, and PC via Epic, Steam, and GOG. Although the game doesn’t have a specific release date yet, it is anticipated to be available later this year.

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