In this episode of Game Pass Grab Bag, the hosts dive into The Alters, a base management game that isn’t just about gathering resources or building the perfect outpost—it’s about you. Or rather… versions of you.
Developed with a rich sci-fi premise, The Alters challenges players to think beyond standard survival mechanics by introducing a fascinating twist: creating alternate versions of yourself—each with different life paths—to collaborate, survive, and uncover a deeper narrative.
Scores
Andrew: 90 – Game
Keith: 85 – Game
Aaron: 86 – Game
Average: 87.0
🧬 Story & Premise: One Man, Many Lives
At its core, The Alters asks a haunting question: What if you’d made a different choice? Set in an isolated sci-fi environment, players must create “alters”—alternate versions of themselves who made different life decisions—to help maintain a rapidly deteriorating base.
Each alter brings its own skills, perspectives, and emotional baggage to the table, making for a deeply philosophical exploration of identity, regret, and possibility.
“I love this game’s story,” one host enthuses. “It’s rare for a management game to feel so personal.”
🛠️ Gameplay Mechanics: Base Building with a Twist
Gameplay revolves around base construction, resource gathering, and time management—all familiar territory for fans of survival sims. But here’s where it gets interesting: each alter can take on different tasks, meaning success often comes down to how well you manage your multi-self workforce.
The game includes a day-night cycle, adding an extra layer of urgency as players must prioritize which tasks get done and who is best suited for them. The balance of survival strategy and narrative-driven character management keeps gameplay engaging and purposeful.
“This game is very unique,” the hosts agree. “It’s survival with a soul.”
🎨 Graphics & Design: A Gritty, Atmospheric World
The Alters doesn’t just lean on its narrative—its visual presentation is polished and immersive. The base design is particularly praised for its blend of industrial utility and sci-fi atmosphere. Lighting plays a big role in establishing tone, shifting subtly throughout the game’s day-night loop.
It’s not all eye candy, though—the interface is also clean and user-friendly, making the complexity of managing multiple alters more approachable for casual players.
🎧 Audio & Voice Acting: Setting the Emotional Tone
Audio in The Alters does more than fill the background. With a moody, synth-heavy soundtrack and strong voice performances, the game reinforces its central themes of isolation, reflection, and urgency. The voice acting helps distinguish the different alters and adds emotional depth to their interactions.
“This game is a lot of fun,” says one host. “But it’s the voice acting that made me care about each version of myself.”
🏆 Achievements & Replayability
Achievements in The Alters aren’t just checkboxes—they’re tied to exploring the stories of each alternate self. Players are encouraged to dig deeper into each alter’s background, leading to replayable scenarios and a richer emotional payoff.
The game strikes a great balance between accessible mechanics and deeper themes, making it approachable even for those who typically avoid hardcore survival or base-building games.
✅ TL;DR – What You Need to Know
- Genre: Base Management / Sci-Fi Survival
- Platform: Game Pass
- Premise: Survive by creating and managing alternate versions of yourself, each shaped by a different life path.
- Gameplay: Base building, time/resource management, alter interactions, and emotional storytelling.
- Graphics: Moody, detailed, and immersive.
- Audio: Solid soundtrack and excellent voice acting.
- Final Verdict: A thoughtful, engaging twist on the base-building genre with philosophical weight.
🔊 Sound Bites from the Episode
“This game is very unique.”
“I love this game’s story.”
“This game is a lot of fun.”
🚀 Whether you’re in it for the emotional depth, strategic gameplay, or just want to see what a different version of you might bring to the table, The Alters is worth the download. Available now on Game Pass.
🎙 Subscribe to Game Pass Grab Bag for more no-fluff game reviews, hot takes, and community-driven insights on the best (and weirdest) games the service has to offer.
