The Alters vs Punishing: Gray Raven

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only
• Setting: A desolate, alien planet
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Game Pass
• Unique Feature: A unique blend of base-building survival with a deep, psychological narrative about managing alternate versions of oneself, each with distinct personalities and skills.

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Limited Co-op Modes
• Setting: Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi
• Platforms: PC, iOS, Android
• Global Release: 2021-07-16
• Unique Feature: A unique and stylish combo-based combat system built around a '3-Ping' orb matching mechanic, combined with a last-second dodge that triggers a 'Matrix' slow-motion state.

• The Alters: The Alters are the core companions and crew. They are not passive followers but fully interactive characters with their own skills, needs, and personalities. They perform tasks assigned by the player, such as mining, cooking, researching, and repairing, but also require social interaction and management to prevent conflicts and maintain morale.
  Human (Alternate Versions)

• Squad Members: In single-player modes, the other two members of your squad are AI constructs you can switch to at any time. In co-op modes, your companions are other human players controlling their own lead Construct.
  Constructs (AI/Player)

• Personal Logs: Datapads and audio logs left behind by the original, deceased crew members of the crashed ship. These provide backstory on the mission and the events leading to the crash.
• Geological Samples: Unique mineral or organic samples found during exploration. These can be analyzed in the Research Lab to unlock new technologies or provide insight into the planet's ecosystem.

• Constructs: Obtained primarily through the gacha 'R&D' system. Collecting different characters and their powerful 'SS' and 'SSS' rank upgrades is the main long-term goal.
• Black Cards: The game's premium currency. Earned from completing daily and weekly missions, story chapters, and events. Used to pull for new characters and weapons.

• Existentialism
• Identity
• Regret
• What If Scenarios
• Psychological Drama
• Survival
• Resource Management
• Interpersonal Dynamics
• Sci-Fi
• Isolation

• Post-Apocalyptic
• Sci-Fi
• Action RPG
• Hack and Slash
• Gacha
• Anime
• Cyberpunk
• Dystopian

• Various: Katanas, Dual Pistols, Cannons, Scythes, etc.
  Each playable Construct has their own unique weapon type. Players can obtain a variety of 4-star, 5-star, and 6-star weapons through the gacha system or by crafting. 6-star weapons are signature to a specific Construct and provide powerful, unique passive abilities.

• Worker Suit: Jan and his Alters wear a standard worker suit. While not 'armor' in a combat sense, it is essential for survival outside the base. It has a limited energy supply that powers tools and must be recharged with batteries. Upgrades likely focus on improving its efficiency or radiation resistance.

• Memories: The primary way to build characters. Each Construct can equip a set of six 'Memories'. These items provide base stats (like HP and ATK) and powerful set bonuses (at 2, 4, or 6 pieces) that are crucial for a character's performance. They are the equivalent of 'Artifacts' or 'Stigmata' in similar games.

• Coatings: Purely cosmetic outfits for the playable Constructs. Coatings can be purchased with premium currency, earned through in-game events, or unlocked via a special gacha system. They range from casual wear to elaborate, high-fantasy designs.

Progression is tied to base expansion and research. Creating Alters with specific skills (e.g., Scientist, Technician, Miner) unlocks new capabilities. The Scientist Alter can work in the Research Lab to unlock new technologies, base modules, and crafting recipes. The Technician can repair the base more efficiently. Upgrades focus on improving the base's efficiency, resource production, and survivability against environmental threats.

The game is structured across several large, distinct maps that Jan must traverse in sequence. Each map represents a different biome of the alien planet, presenting unique environmental hazards, resources, and exploration challenges. The gameplay is not a seamless open world but a series of large, explorable zones that the mobile base travels between.

• Jan Dolski (The Player): Protagonist / Base Leader
  The original Jan, a simple worker whose choices led him to this mission. He is the player character and is responsible for creating and managing his alternate selves.
• Jan Technician: Alter / Engineer
  The first Alter created. Pragmatic and skilled with machinery, he is essential for base repairs but has a cynical and sometimes abrasive personality.
• Jan Scientist: Alter / Researcher
  A career-driven and ambitious Alter who excels at research, unlocking new technologies for the base. His ambition can lead to friction with the other Jans.
• Jan Miner: Alter / Resource Gatherer
  A hardy Alter with skills in geology and mining, making him more efficient at extracting resources from the planet's surface.
• Jan Botanist: Alter / Biologist
  An Alter with a green thumb, skilled in cultivating food within the base. He is crucial for upgrading the crew's diet from nutrient mush to proper meals, significantly boosting morale.
• Jan Doctor: Alter / Medic
  An Alter with medical expertise who can work in the Infirmary to drastically speed up the healing of injured or irradiated Alters.

• The Commandant: Player Character (Non-Playable)
  The player's role in the story. The Commandant is the tactical leader of the Gray Raven squad, making decisions and commanding the Constructs in battle. You do not directly see or control the Commandant.
• Lucia: Playable Construct (Attacker)
  The leader of the Gray Raven squad. A determined and skilled warrior who wields katanas. She has many different powerful versions (frames) like 'Plume' and 'Crimson Abyss'.
• Liv: Playable Construct (Support)
  The support member of Gray Raven. Her frames, like 'Empyrea' and 'Luminance', are top-tier healers and buffers essential for team survival.
• Lee: Playable Construct (Attacker)
  The ranged specialist of Gray Raven, skilled with dual pistols and engineering. His frames, like 'Entropy' and 'Hyperreal', are powerful damage dealers.
• Vera: Playable Construct (Support/Attacker)
  A combat medic from another squad. Her frames, like 'Rozen' and 'Garnet', are highly sought after for their ability to provide both healing and significant damage.

• Main Story Acts
  The game is structured in a prologue and three main acts. The primary objective is to survive, expand the base, create the necessary Alters, and successfully move the mobile base across the planet's surface to escape the encroaching, lethal sunrise.
• Alter Storylines
  Each Alter has their own personal storyline and emotional needs. These manifest as side tasks and dialogue encounters where the player must make choices to resolve conflicts, improve morale, or deal with the consequences of their past decisions.
• Resource Expeditions
  A core gameplay loop that involves sending Jan outside the base during safe periods to explore the environment, locate resource deposits (metals, organics, Rapidium), and set up mining rigs to gather materials needed for crafting and base expansion.

• Story Campaign
  A long and ongoing campaign divided into chapters that tells the dark story of the Gray Raven squad's fight to reclaim Earth.
• Phantom Pain Cage
  A weekly endgame boss rush mode. Players fight a series of bosses and compete for high scores on a server-wide leaderboard to earn premium currency.
• War Zone
  A weekly endgame mode where players fight through waves of enemies to earn points. High scores place players in higher tiers for better rewards.
• Limited-Time Events
  Each new patch introduces several events with unique stories, gameplay mechanics, and valuable rewards, including premium currency and upgrade materials.

The game was released with a Standard Edition and a Deluxe Edition. The Deluxe Edition includes the base game, a digital artbook, and the original soundtrack. A physical Signature Edition with collectibles like a 'Pierogi Press' was also available from specific retailers.

• Q: What kind of game is The Alters?
  A: It's a unique sci-fi game that blends base-building and resource management with a deep, psychological narrative about survival and identity. It has been described as a mix of 'This War of Mine', 'Fallout Shelter', and a narrative adventure game.
• Q: Is there combat in The Alters?
  A: No, the game is non-violent. The primary challenges come from survival against the harsh environment, managing resources, and navigating the complex social dynamics between the different versions of Jan.
• Q: How do you 'create' an Alter?
  A: Using a quantum computer, the player explores a branching tree of Jan's past life choices. By selecting a different path (e.g., 'What if Jan became a scientist?'), a new Alter with the corresponding skills and personality is manifested using a rare resource called Rapidium.
• Q: Is The Alters on Game Pass?
  A: Yes, The Alters was available on day one on both Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.

• Q: What is Punishing: Gray Raven?
  A: It is a free-to-play, fast-paced action RPG with a gacha system. It is known for its stylish, high-skill combat, dark sci-fi story, and challenging endgame content.
• Q: Is Punishing: Gray Raven free-to-play friendly?
  A: Yes, it is considered one of the most F2P-friendly gacha games. It has a pity system that guarantees you get the newest S-Rank character if you save enough premium currency, which is given out generously through events and daily activities.
• Q: What is the combat like?
  A: The combat is real-time, fast-paced, and combo-heavy. Its unique feature is the '3-Ping' system, where you match colored orbs to unleash powerful skills. It also features a perfect dodge 'Matrix' mechanic that triggers a slow-motion state.
• Q: Is there multiplayer?
  A: Yes, but it is limited. While most of the game is single-player, there are specific co-op modes where you can team up with two other players to fight powerful bosses.

Built on Unreal Engine, the game features a distinct visual style with a striking, alien planet filled with bizarre, physics-defying anomalies and beautiful yet menacing landscapes. The mobile base is highly detailed, with a modular, industrial aesthetic.

The game features a full voice cast for Jan and all his Alters, with the same actor (Alex Jordan) delivering nuanced performances for each personality. The soundtrack is atmospheric and emotional, emphasizing the themes of isolation and introspection. The launch trailer notably featured the song 'We Might Be Dead by Tomorrow' by Soko.

The UI features a time bar at the top of the screen, indicating the safe daylight hours for exploration. Menus on the left side show the status and mood of each Alter and current tasks. A resource counter is displayed at the bottom. The interface is designed to provide critical survival and management information at a glance.

• OFFICIAL AND EXTRAPOLATED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for The Alters. This information is based on official PC specifications, with the inclusion of current and future-generation GPUs as requested. Laptop and 50-series GPU equivalents are estimated based on performance benchmarks and industry expectations as of July 2025.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of the listed desktop GPUs and CPUs should offer comparable performance. This is heavily dependent on the laptop's specific configuration, including TGP (Total Graphics Power) for the GPU and the cooling system's effectiveness for both the CPU and GPU. Given the listed requirements, most modern gaming laptops should provide a good experience, but checking reviews for thermal performance is recommended.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: A higher TGP for the laptop's GPU will generally lead to better and more consistent framerates, which is important for a smooth gameplay experience.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Efficient cooling is crucial to prevent thermal throttling, which can significantly reduce performance during extended gaming sessions.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: The game's performance can be influenced by the CPU's power limits. A laptop with good power delivery to the CPU will ensure the processor can maintain its boost clocks.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: For optimal performance and to minimize latency, a laptop with a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended, as it allows the dedicated GPU to send frames directly to the display.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: The game supports upscaling technologies including NVIDIA DLSS 3 (with Frame Generation for 40/50 series) and AMD FSR. These can significantly boost performance, especially at higher resolutions.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Performance will be most affected by settings such as shadow quality, texture quality, effects detail, and anti-aliasing. Adjusting these settings can help achieve a balance between visual quality and framerate.
• Game Name: The Alters

• OFFICIAL AND EXTRAPOLATED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for Punishing: Gray Raven. This information is based on the official PC specifications from developer Kuro Game, adapted to the requested JSON structure. As a title originally designed for mobile, the PC client's requirements are relatively modest, but higher resolutions and framerates still benefit from more powerful hardware. The 1440p and 4K tiers are extrapolated based on performance benchmarks.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop versions of the listed desktop GPUs require comparable performance, which is highly dependent on the laptop's TGP (Total Graphics Power) and thermal design. For a fast-paced action game like Punishing: Gray Raven, maintaining a high, stable framerate is key to the experience.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: While the game is not extremely demanding, a higher TGP will ensure the GPU can consistently deliver a high framerate without throttling, which is important for the game's fluid combat.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Intense combat sequences with many on-screen effects can increase hardware temperatures. A good cooling system will prevent performance dips during long gaming sessions.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A capable CPU with good power delivery is needed to handle the game's fast-paced action and ensure smooth input response.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended to minimize system latency, providing a more responsive feel to dodges, parries, and combos, which is vital in a high-skill action game.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: The official PC client of Punishing: Gray Raven does not have native support for upscaling technologies like NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR. Performance is primarily based on raw hardware capability.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Performance will be most affected by settings such as Resolution, Shadow Quality, Post-Processing, and Effects Quality. The game offers options to uncap the framerate, which is highly recommended for players with high-refresh-rate monitors.
• Game Name: Punishing: Gray Raven

• Upscaling Tech: The game supports upscaling technologies including NVIDIA DLSS 3 (with Frame Generation for 40/50 series) and AMD FSR. These can significantly boost performance, especially at higher resolutions.
• Key Settings Impact: Performance will be most affected by settings such as shadow quality, texture quality, effects detail, and anti-aliasing. Adjusting these settings can help achieve a balance between visual quality and framerate.

• Upscaling Tech: The official PC client of Punishing: Gray Raven does not have native support for upscaling technologies like NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR. Performance is primarily based on raw hardware capability.
• Key Settings Impact: Performance will be most affected by settings such as Resolution, Shadow Quality, Post-Processing, and Effects Quality. The game offers options to uncap the framerate, which is highly recommended for players with high-refresh-rate monitors.

• G P U T G P: A higher TGP for the laptop's GPU will generally lead to better and more consistent framerates, which is important for a smooth gameplay experience.
• Cooling Thermals: Efficient cooling is crucial to prevent thermal throttling, which can significantly reduce performance during extended gaming sessions.
• C P U Power Limits: The game's performance can be influenced by the CPU's power limits. A laptop with good power delivery to the CPU will ensure the processor can maintain its boost clocks.
• M U X Switch Optimus: For optimal performance and to minimize latency, a laptop with a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended, as it allows the dedicated GPU to send frames directly to the display.

• G P U T G P: While the game is not extremely demanding, a higher TGP will ensure the GPU can consistently deliver a high framerate without throttling, which is important for the game's fluid combat.
• Cooling Thermals: Intense combat sequences with many on-screen effects can increase hardware temperatures. A good cooling system will prevent performance dips during long gaming sessions.
• C P U Power Limits: A capable CPU with good power delivery is needed to handle the game's fast-paced action and ensure smooth input response.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended to minimize system latency, providing a more responsive feel to dodges, parries, and combos, which is vital in a high-skill action game.