How to Unlock All Endings in The Alters (July 2025 Guide)

28th June, 2025

Welcome to the ultimate guide on how to unlock all endings in The Alters! This mind-bending sci-fi survival game from 11 bit studios (creators of This War of Mine and Frostpunk) presents you with life-altering choices that dramatically impact Jan Dolski's fate. Released on June 13, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S (including Game Pass), The Alters challenges you with multiple branching paths and six primary endings, each with subtle variations based on your decisions throughout the game.

In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through every critical decision, from managing Rapidium Arks to navigating the complex relationships with Maxwell and Agatha. Whether you're aiming for the morally satisfying path where you save the Alters or curious about the darker corporate endings, I've got you covered with detailed strategies for each outcome.

Table of Contents

Quick Endings Overview

Ending Name	Key Requirements	Achievement/Trophy
All by Myself	Refuse to acknowledge Ark contents	All By Myself
It Ends in Flames	Plant explosives, blow up base	Brutal Force
Maxwell's Path	Side with Maxwell, use Tabula Rasa	Maxwell's Path
The Corporate Way	Choose Implants, work with Agatha	The Corporate Way
I Deserved This More	Swap with Botanist, escape	I Deserved This More
The Things We Do for Love	Swap with Botanist, betray	The Things We Do for Love

Critical Decisions That Affect All Endings

1. Rapidium Ark Management - The Foundation of Your Ending

The amount of Rapidium you gather and store in Arks is the single most important factor affecting your ending. Here's what you need to know:

You can build up to 5 Rapidium Arks total (1 default + 4 from Base Expansion upgrades)
CRITICAL: Only Rapidium stored in Arks counts - regular storage is worthless for endings
Build at least 3 Arks before activating Neutralizer Towers for Lucas's support
Check in with Lucas after building each Ark to strengthen your relationship

The Rapidium distribution varies by ending:

With Lucas's help: Excess goes to independent startups, immediately helping the food crisis
Without Lucas: Ally Corporation hoards it for research, delaying relief efforts
Maxwell's ending: He steals everything for his dark Project Elah experiments

Just like managing resources in Minecraft survival builds, strategic planning is crucial for success in The Alters.

2. Act 2's Pivotal Choice: Tabula Rasa vs Neural Implants

This decision in Act 2 splits the game into two major branches:

Tabula Rasa (Maxwell's Path):

Keeps Alters secret from Lena
Uses Maxwell's brutal brain tissue treatment
Permanently alienates Technician, Doctor, Botanist, and Refiner
Maxwell remains your patron in Act 3
Locks you into Maxwell's ending options

Neural Implants (Corporate Path):

Reveals Alters to Lena
She develops safer neural implants
Lena reports Maxwell, getting him fired
Agatha (Ally Corp COO) takes over
Alters who left can be convinced to return
Opens up Corporate and Botanist swap endings

3. Building Trust with Lucas

Lucas is your key ally for the best outcomes. To gain his support:

Build at least 3 Rapidium Arks before Act 2 ends
Consult with him after each Ark construction
If you chose Implants, talk to him in Act 3 when he admits Maxwell's horrible experiments
His help provides an alibi during your trial and ensures fair Rapidium distribution

Act 3 Preparation: Setting Up Multiple Endings

Before the rescue ship arrives, you must prepare several items. I recommend crafting everything to keep all ending options open:

Essential Preparations:

Build the Fake Rapidium Ark (mandatory for all endings)
Choose your sabotage method:
- 4 Explosive Charges (cheaper but adds murder charges)
- Sleeping Gas Canister + Suit Mask Upgrade (safer, no murder charges)
Select your ship control method:
- Autopilot System (solo hijacking)
- Remote Access Terminal/R.A.T. (requires Lucas's help)

All Endings Detailed Walkthrough

1. "All by Myself" Ending - Abandoning the Alters

How to Unlock: When confronted by soldiers about the Ark Sarcophagus, refuse to use any Lessons Learned dialogue options. Choose these responses:

"Not that I know of... / A cat? That's impossible."
"No idea... / Sorry I can't hear you."
"I told you. I have nothing to declare."

Result:

Jan returns to Earth as Ally Corp's propaganda tool
Becomes a "hero" doing interviews and charity dinners
Lena avoids him, promoted to Director of Rapidium Technologies
Alters' fate unknown (cryptic message suggests possible survival)
Comfortable life but morally compromised

2. "It Ends in Flames" Ending - The Violent Path

How to Unlock:

Plant 4 explosives throughout the base before meeting rescue team
Use Lessons Learned dialogue to convince guards nothing is wrong
When walking away, choose "Blow up the base" instead of planting sleeping gas

Result:

All soldiers killed in explosion
Jan faces murder charges on Earth
Alters escape to freedom
Harsh criminal sentence for Jan

This explosive approach reminds me of the dramatic building ideas in Minecraft where destruction can sometimes be part of the creative process.

3. "Maxwell's Path" Ending - The Dark Patron

Requirements: Choose Tabula Rasa in Act 2

How to Unlock:

Keep Alters secret from Lena throughout the game
Use Lessons dialogue to avoid detection
Install Sleeping Gas on rescue ship
Install either R.A.T. or Autopilot Device

Result:

Maxwell hijacks all Rapidium for Project Elah
Alters become test subjects for neuroscience experiments
Global food crisis worsens
Jan gets new identity and comfortable life but remains Maxwell's puppet
Lucas abandons Maxwell for humanitarian work

4. "The Corporate Way" Ending - Ally Corporation's Victory

Requirements: Choose Neural Implants in Act 2

How to Unlock:

Work with Agatha after Maxwell's firing
Use Lessons dialogue to protect Alters
Use Sleeping Gas and autopilot method

Result:

Similar to Maxwell's Path but under corporate control
Lena promoted but cuts ties with Jan
Jan becomes corporate spokesperson
Alters disappear (implied killed, but mysterious email suggests otherwise)
If Lucas helps: Better trial outcome, possible acquittal

5. "I Deserved This More" - The Botanist's Escape

Requirements:

Neural Implants chosen in Act 2
Botanist in crew with completed storyline

How to Unlock:

Accept Botanist's proposal to swap places near end of Act 3
During final Alter goodbye sequence, confirm the swap
Play ending as Botanist
Execute escape plan (sleeping gas + autopilot)

Result:

Botanist returns to Earth as "Jan Dolski"
Real Jan escapes with other Alters
Botanist faces minimal sentence with Lena's help
Romance with Lena continues
Alters live free and happy

6. "The Things We Do for Love" - The Ultimate Betrayal

Requirements: Same as "I Deserved This More"

How to Unlock:

Swap with Botanist
During soldier encounter, refuse to implement any sabotage plans
Let soldiers take the Alters

Result:

Botanist takes fall for Jan but betrays other Alters
Agatha fires Lena for non-cooperation
Botanist and Lena discuss possible future
Real Jan's fate unknown
Most morally complex ending

Advanced Strategies for Multiple Endings

Save File Management

To experience all endings efficiently:

Create a Secure Save before the Tabula Rasa/Implants choice in Act 2
Complete Botanist's storyline regardless of path
Build all 5 Rapidium Arks
Prepare all sabotage equipment in Act 3
Save again before lighting the beacon

This approach lets you:

Play through once choosing Tabula Rasa for Maxwell's Path
Reload Act 2 save, choose Implants for remaining endings
Use Act 3 save to quickly test different final choices

Optimal Playthrough Order

I recommend this sequence for experiencing all content:

First Run: Implants → Save the Alters with sleeping gas
Second Run: Reload, try Botanist swap endings
Third Run: Return to Act 2 save, choose Tabula Rasa → Maxwell's Path
Quick Runs: Use late saves for "All by Myself" and "It Ends in Flames"

Ending Variations and Nuances

Each primary ending has subtle variations based on:

Rapidium Ark count (affects Earth's food crisis severity)
Relationship with Lena (determines if she testifies for/against you)
Lucas's involvement (impacts trial outcomes and Rapidium distribution)
Treatment of specific Alters (affects epilogue messages)

Similar to how survival mods enhance Minecraft, these variations add depth to The Alters' storytelling.

Trophy/Achievement Guide

Achievement	Requirement
All By Myself	Complete game leaving Alters to corporation
Maxwell's Path	Finish game siding with Maxwell
The Corporate Way	Finish game siding with Ally Corporation
I Deserved This More	Botanist escapes as Jan
The Things We Do for Love	Botanist betrays for love
Hidden Truth	Complete Scientist's "Meaning of Life" quest
Explosive Personality	Use explosives to eliminate rescue team

FAQs

How many times do I need to play The Alters to see all endings?

You need at least 2 full playthroughs - one choosing Tabula Rasa and one choosing Neural Implants in Act 2. However, with smart save management, you can see all endings with just 1.5 playthroughs by reloading key decision points.

Can I save all the Alters and avoid jail time?

Yes! The best outcome involves:

Choosing Neural Implants in Act 2
Building 5 Rapidium Arks
Getting Lucas's help with the R.A.T.
Using sleeping gas instead of explosives
Either playing as Jan with Lucas testifying for you, or swapping with Botanist

What's the "true" or "best" ending?

There's no official "true" ending, but most players consider the Botanist swap where Jan Prime escapes with the Alters as the most satisfying. It saves the Alters, helps Earth's food crisis, and gives both Jans a chance at happiness.

Do I need to create all Alters for every ending?

No, only Technician and Scientist are mandatory. However, creating Botanist is required for two specific endings, and having more Alters provides additional dialogue options and story depth.

How long does it take to complete all endings?

A single playthrough takes 25-30 hours. To see all endings and unlock every Alter, expect 55-60 hours total. Speed runners can reduce this to about 40 hours with efficient save management.

Can I miss an ending permanently?

Yes, if you don't save before the Act 2 Tabula Rasa/Implants choice. This decision locks you into either Maxwell's or Corporate branches for that playthrough. Always keep multiple saves!

What happens if I don't build enough Rapidium Arks?

With fewer than 3 Arks, you lose Lucas's support, making your trial harder and ensuring Ally Corp monopolizes Rapidium. The food crisis on Earth worsens significantly in the epilogue.

Is there a secret ending?

While not a separate ending, letting Scientist pursue "The Meaning of Life" quest adds unique epilogue content. Some players also report mysterious encrypted messages suggesting surviving Alters communicate from hiding.

Conclusion

The Alters masterfully weaves player choice into its narrative fabric, creating endings that reflect the moral complexity of survival and identity. Whether you choose corporate compliance, violent rebellion, or clever deception, each path offers unique insights into Jan's character and the consequences of our decisions.

I hope this guide helps you experience every facet of this remarkable game. Remember, the journey matters as much as the destination - take time to explore each Alter's story and savor the philosophical questions The Alters poses about the paths not taken in our own lives.

Happy alter-creating, and may your choices lead to the ending that resonates most with your vision of Jan's future!