1000xResist

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• DEVELOPER: sunset visitor 斜陽過客
• PUBLISHER: Fellow Traveller
• PLATFORMS: PC
• GENRE: Sci-fi adventure
• RELEASE DATE: May 9, 2024
• STARTING PRICE: 19.50€
• REVIEWED VERSION: PC, Nintendo Switch

To this day, I’m still not sure which genre 1000xResist really fits into. Technically, it can be described as a science-fiction adventure, a walking simulator with a thought-provoking narrative, or perhaps even a visual novel with light puzzles. As you can see, the game blends different elements, and it was developed by the studio Sunset Visitor. It explores themes of identity, cultural isolation, and government corruption, and is set in a dystopian future where humanity is forced to live underground due to an alien virus.

The protagonist, Watcher, is one of many clones of Iris, the immune AllMother who volunteered for medical testing in hopes of finding a cure. Years later, Watcher lives in the Orchard, a mysterious base where she and her cloned sisters participate in “Communions” to relive Iris’s memories. This process gradually reveals Earth’s history and hints at what needs to happen next.

The narrative of 1000xRESIST progresses quickly, uncovering secrets and regrets that have plagued Earth for generations. In fact, the complexity and depth of the story, filled with twists, will always keep you engaged. The game is designed to support the story and includes light puzzles that involve time manipulation, but they never overshadow the narrative. Ultimately, the focus is on exploration and interaction rather than platforming or combat, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the story and characters without distraction.

Story and Themes

At first, the story may be difficult to follow, but as you progress, things become clearer. The game deals with themes such as the psychological effects of diaspora and the challenges of adapting to new cultures. It also explores the protagonist’s psyche, questioning what it means to be different, or even what happens when your mind has been tampered with. Honestly, you won’t think about these things most of the time while playing, but knowing the story’s background keeps you invested all the way to the end.

Visually, 1000xRESIST is a mix of highly polished and rougher elements. Some environments look textureless and lifeless, which actually contrasts with moments when certain scenes look really good. It’s simply a mix of everything; the game offers some quality moments but also has its weaker ones. In other words, the game’s indie roots are visible in its design, with some odd character poses and messy textures.

While the visuals don’t fit every situation, they ultimately don’t get in the way of the experience. What really stands out are the professional voice performances for every line of dialogue, giving each clone a distinct personality. This contributes to an immersive experience, making every character feel unique and adding depth to the game.

Gameplay Mechanics

Although 1000xResist is mostly a story-driven game, it includes a few gameplay elements to enhance the narrative. You take part in basic puzzle-solving and memory exploration during Communion sessions, which are simple and focused on the story rather than testing your skills. This allows you to witness and interact with important events from different points in the timeline. Overall, you walk around the map, solve various tasks, talk to characters, find hidden secrets, and explore the world.

Through memory exploration, you can piece together the backstory of the dystopian world, understand the origin of the alien virus, and uncover secrets that affect the current narrative. It’s fascinating to see how different areas of the map change over time, with dramatic shifts in atmosphere and characters. You navigate the memories and experiences of different characters, making decisions that shape the direction of the story. The game is designed in such a way that failure is nearly impossible, allowing you to focus on the unfolding narrative instead of gameplay mechanics.

One common complaint is the confusing layout of the Orchard, the game’s main hub. I often felt lost and frustrated as I tried to navigate its complex design of glass tubes, staircases, and long corridors. This issue diminishes the overall experience because it disrupts the gameplay flow. The dialogue, especially during Communion sessions where memories are shared, tends to be repetitive and overly cryptic. The symbolic and metaphorical conversations can become tiring and difficult to follow, affecting the game’s pacing.

Final Thoughts

At times, the game can really feel like it drags on. There is simply too much to take in, as it features numerous characters, many of them clones, which makes it hard to remember who is who and what their goals are. Still, I enjoyed those final moments when you have to connect with each memory bubble to reach the end of the story. Despite some minor flaws, I recommend it to anyone who enjoys story-rich games and is looking for a deep and reflective gameplay experience.

If you’re interested in a game that challenges you to think deeply about identity, society, and the human condition, 1000xResist is a must-play. It is a testament to the creative freedom of indie studios, showing that games can be quite unique, and well-received, as long as the idea is strong and the story is coherent enough to follow. It’s hard to summarize everything this game has to offer, so it’s best to dive into it yourself.

The ending of 1000xRESIST leans toward cosmic horror, revealing complex layers of the story as Watcher discovers the true nature of ALLMOTHER and the fate of humanity. This culmination ties together the game’s themes of memory and identity, leaving you with much to think about and plenty to reflect on long after the credits roll.

Review copy provided by the publisher