Story is really pulling you along, waiting in suspense on what will/might happen next. Basic gameplay loop is simple and satisfying, at least for the moment. I can strongly recommend as long as you're not looking for fast action.
Great story and writing wrapped in a resource-management coating.
Don't expect factorio or Satisfactory from the game, it's more like the resource-sim and basebuilding from XCOM mixed with some mining and exploration, and the anomaly exploration from the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games.
It's a unique mix and works well, the gameplay is fun and it comes across like an interactive movie in some ways.
How long has it been since I last cared about the characters' personal story in a game? As the studios behind This war of mine and Frostpunk, 11 Bit Studios prepared another experience for us with strong moral choices, wrapped into an even stronger storyline!
In essence, The Alters are a game mixing management & adventure, with a small survival side. Be ready to embark on Jan Dolski's journey, alone and stranded on a distant planet... alone? Well, not for long actually. Such is the premise, and promise of the Alters: to survive, Jan has to duplicate himself off different life choices simulated by a computer, to enlarge the array of skills available at the base since the sun won't wait long before scorching him... or soon enough, before scorching them.
Time is constantly of the essence in this race to avoid a fiery death. Choose wisely, at any turning point, which Alter should be "born"; which tech should you research; what materials are you bringing with you everytime the base moves; what your priorities are, between the mission and your Alters' wishes & opinions.
Honestly, it's not the gameplay itself that is strong. Don't look for any combat; you'll only avoid or delete radioactive anomalies sometimes tracking you. Here, it's all about the journey: not as in the "adventure" side of the game, but how will you make Jan's story unfold, which questions will you have him consider, what answers will you lead him to. It's not about another hero - it's about an ordinary man thrown at an exceptional situation.
However, don't expect to go through all choices, possibilities, research in a single run. Again, choose wisely at every turn and anticipate some setbacks. Whatever your morals may be, do you really have the means to meet them?
I'd wish there were some form of free exploration/movement without time constraint, I really liked that canyon level. Now I'm curious about what's expecting us with the DLC; until then, expect a very worthwhile experience with this game!