The Alters: How to escape the Sun in the prologue?

The first significantly difficult task in The Alters is Escape the Sun. Jan has to prepare the base for travel before the deadly Sun approaches. Below you will find our walkthrough of the mission. We've covered the first time limit, as well as how to gather materials for the journey and how to start the base engines.

• When does the time limit appear?
• How to escape before the Sun appears?
• The Sun later in the game

When does the time limit appear?

1. You'll learn about the time limit during the prologue, after reaching the base for the first time. After ing Earth, you will receive a message about the Sun approaching, which is a mortal threat to you.

1. After resting in the captain's cabin for the first time, the game will tell you how many days you have until the Sun arrives- on default settings, it should be eight days.
2. You need to prepare the base for the journey before the time runs out. We have covered all the most important steps below.

How to escape before the Sun appears?

1. The most important thing is that you should not waste time wandering around the base or the planet surface. As for your base, try to the layout so that you can quickly reach the airlock or story-related rooms. While traveling on the surface, check the map of the area frequently - the most important objects (e.g. discovered deposits), as well as places that you have not yet explored will be added to it.
2. If necessary, repeat the day. Just load the save from the beginning of the day. Do so if you've wasted time on exploration or resource extraction. This trick can come in handy later on as well, and we've discussed it in more detail on the Daily plan page.
3. By ing Earth, you will receive general instructions regarding the evacuation procedure - replenishing fuel supplies (you need a specific resource, Organics), crafting necessary equipment, and stocking up on food.

1. You will reach the base on the game's first evening and won't be able to do anything there yet. Start preparing on the second day. The first major goal is to acquire 60 metals by exploring the area around the base. After finding a shallow deposit, extract it.

1. The obtained metal will be used to build a workshop. Use the left terminal in the Command Center to do this. The workshop can be located anywhere. Just make sure it's connected to another room, elevator or corridor. You can craft a scanner in the workshop.

1. You'll use it in the Organics Matter task to connect the base with the Organics Deposit Area. You'll need the Mining Outpost for this. We've described all the steps on a separate page How to use the scanner?.
2. After the connection is made, you can start mining. This will ensure you'll get the necessary organics. The final Journey Cost depends on Base Mass - the more things you build, the more organics you'll need. This parameter is displayed in the bottom right corner of the base screen.

1. While gathering organics, you will receive a separate task to collect samples of rapidium found on the planet surface. Gather at least 30 rapidium.
2. You unlock the next mission goal, i.e. building a womb module in the base. You can craft it anywhere, as long as it's connected with the rest of the base. Interact with the terminal in the new room to use the DNA sample. You will clone a sheep.

1. You can get food supplies by building a kitchen. After it's set up, you need to prepare six mushes - dedicate part of your day to this.

1. Attempting to start the base engines in the Command Center (right interactive ) will unlock further tasks. Something will break in the Machinery and you will find out you need a technician's help.

1. You'll need to create your first Alter, a copy of Jan with specific knowledge and a set of skills. You can use the quantum computer to do so.
2. From the computer, you can carry out the first branching procedure. Choose Jan the Technician and reach The Womb, which will make the first Alter appear.

1. You can start the engine again (Command Center), making sure that you have the required organics (we needed 172 units). If necessary, return to the Mining Outpost to replenish the stock.
2. Setting off on the journey stops the countdown to escape from the Sun. Depending on how well you did, you should have about 5 days left at the end of the prologue. This means there's no need to be too worried about the time limit.

The Sun later in the game

1. After completing your first journey and arriving at a new location, you'll advance to Act 1. From now on, occasionally you'll see a message that the Sun is very far away from the base. This means you're no longer pressured by time for now, although this obviously won't last all game.

See also:

1. Game guide
2. Interactive map
3. How to save your progress?

The Alters

June 13, 2025

Rate It!

• Overview
• Guide
• Maps
• Review