This Points of Interest list for The Alters offers a concise overview of all map markers placed on interactive maps designed specifically for the game. It acts as a central hub, enabling players to navigate the game world efficiently and effectively.
In The Alters, Anomalies are translucent, gaseous, or spatial distortions found across the planet's surface. They vary in type and behavior, appearing as floating wisps, pulsating orbs, or areas of warped reality. Each type has unique characteristics and effects, for example physical damage or time dilation. They become more frequent and complex as the game progresses through its acts. Anomalies often block paths to resources or key areas. Most anomalies can be destroyed using the Luminator, a flashlight-like tool crafted in Act 1 through the "Strange Phenomena" quest. Destroying all cores eliminates the anomaly, dropping ALX, a resource convertible to Organics, Metals, or Minerals in the Refinery.
Climbing SpotsClimbing Spots in The Alters are specific locations on the game map where players can use the Climbing Hook to scale high walls or ledges. These spots are marked on the map and are crucial for accessing resources, collectibles, and other key areas.
CollectiblesCollectibles Containers that can be found in The Alters contain personal items belonging to Jan Dolski. Each container contains one or two items. These items are tied to specific Alters, and gifting them to the correct Alter boosts their morale, enhancing work efficiency and reducing the risk of conflicts. Once gifted, an item is removed from the inventory, so strategic timing is key. While locations remain fixed, their contents are somewhat random.
Damaged ChipsIn The Alters, Damaged Qubit Chips are collectible items found in small cargo containers you can find while exploring the planet's surface. In total, there are 3 of them. These chips are crucial for upgrading the Quantum Computer, which unlocks additional Alter slots and new research options to enhance your base and gameplay.
Energy WallsIn The Alters, Energy Walls, a.k.a. Energy Gates or Energy Barriers, are significant environmental obstacles encountered during exploration, particularly from Act 2 onward. They are large, anomalous structures marked by clusters of small levitating stones. They completely drain your suit's battery when you pass through them in either direction, but they do not cause radiation damage. These barriers also block pylon connections, preventing pylons on opposite sides from detecting each other, which complicates resource network setups. Passing through a barrier won't affect the Suit Battery items.
Enriched Metals DepositsIn The Alters, Enriched Metals are a resource found in radiation-heavy deposits. They require a Mining Outpost and Pylons to extract from deep deposits, located by scanning for the deepest point with a Polygonal Scanner. Due to high radiation, mining increases radiation levels for Jan or assigned Alters, posing health risks. Enriched Metals are not directly usable but can be refined in the Refinery into equal parts Metals and Organics, making them valuable for crafting and base-building.
Interal VeinsInteral Veins are special environmental anomalies found on the alien planet, appearing as glowing green lights on the surface, marked by a purple question mark on the map. They are critical for collecting Planetary Samples, a rare resource used to unlock advanced research projects in the Research Lab.
Metals DepositsIn The Alters, Metals Deposits are resource nodes used to gather Metals, a key resource for crafting items and building base modules.
Minerals DepositsIn The Alters, Mineral Deposits are critical resource nodes used to harvest Minerals, an essential resource for crafting advanced items, constructing key base modules, and upgrading equipment.
MoviesIn The Alters, Movies are collectible items foud in red suitcases scattered across the alien planet. Watching movies in the base's Social Room provides a significant morale boost for all Alters who participate, improving their mood and productivity. The first viewing of a movie offers the largest morale bonus, while repeat viewings provide smaller boosts.
Organics DepositsIn The Alters, Organic Deposits are key resource nodes used to harvest Organics, a vital resource for crafting items, building specific base modules, and sustaining your Alters by producing food. Organics also serve as fuel to power the movement of your mobile base.
OtherVarious places or objects that are generally related to one of the tasks or other places of interest worth noting.
Planetary SamplesPlanetary Samples are a rare and valuable resource in The Alters, essential for unlocking advanced research projects, making them crucial for base development and survival. To obtain Planetary Samples use the Luminator to scan one of the Interal Veins (marked by a purple question mark on the map), revealing a trail of ghostly flora that leads to an Interal Vein Core - a large, glowing orb. Destroy the core by aiming the Luminator at it, and you'll receive one Planetary Sample.
Rapidium DepositsRapidium Deposits are rare resources in The Alters that appear as fuzzy, distorted areas. Rapidium is used for creating Alters, building Rapidium Arks, and minor Workshop crafting.
Rock BlockadesIn The Alters, Rock Blockades are obstacles that block your path while exploring. To remove them, you need to craft a special tool - the Vertara Drill. For blockades located on top of the climbable ledges you must first find an alternate path to approach them from the correct side to use the drill effectively.
TasksIn The Alters, Tasks are objectives tracked in the Task Log within the game menu, split into Main Tasks and Side Tasks. Main Tasks are essential objectives that advance the core story and survival goals across the game's chapters, focusing on resource gathering, crafting, and base management to progress the narrative. Side Tasks are optional, often tied to specific Alters and their unique skills or needs, aimed at boosting morale or addressing personal requests to maintain team stability.