Alternativa

AlternativA is a dystopian adventure game in the post-apocalyptic future of 2045. After the nuclear holocaust only a single global government is in charge. The police state uses android forces to suppress the people. Only two independent companies survived the take over of the government preserving monopolies of their own. Endora Corporation is the sole employer for international mining business and construction projects. Theolex Industries on the other hand is the only source of computer technologies, which includes the android industry. Beside these three power blocks a scattered resistance movement tries to fight the oppression by the government. The protagonist Richard Boček, a former construction worker at an Endora building site, has been fired along with the whole crew, without any discernible reason. Offended by the arbitrary exercise of power he turns to the resistance. Unfortunately that way gets him entangled in a plot of murder, conspiracy and disturbing revelations. Despite the rather grim storyline AlternativA retains a certain sense of humor.

The game features typical combination puzzles. Dialogues are a special case, because wrong answers will surrender Richard to the police and thus end the game. Based on the difficulty level, the player can attempt the dialogue limited times before he has to start over from the last savegame. The game also includes a few code decryption and machine riddles. The mouse controlled interface offers a context menu for every usable object, containing the three options "inspect", "take/use" and "talk". A hotspot system provides easy access to these. The inventory contains a PDA as fixed item that can be use to inspect the other items, or to read music or data disks. It also includes a database featuring the last information obtained during the game.

The game is featured in 2.5D graphics with pre-rendered backgrounds and real-time 3D character models. The look is kept realistic. Most scenes consist of a range of fixed views from different directions and angles. Cutscenes are supplied as recorded videos and scripted in-game sequences as well.