Alterium Shift is a retro-inspired JRPG with branching storylines and a new adventure every time you play. Read our review of its early access build to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying when it's out!
Everything We Know About Alterium Shift
Alterium Shift Plot
Set in a once war-torn fantasy realm where humanity clashed with the formidable Dark Elves, Alterium Shift follows the uneasy peace that emerged after a cataclysmic event known as the Alterium Shift altered the world's equilibrium.
Players step into the role of one of three novices, each mentored by the legendary war veteran Professor Dolion. Pyra is a fierce and headstrong warrior attuned to the element of fire. Atlas serves as a calm and tactical archer, hiding a mysterious past beneath his composed exterior. Sage, on the other hand, is a curious and insightful magic user with untapped potential waiting to awaken.
Together, they face a world still healing from conflict—one that may not remain at peace for long.
Alterium Shift Gameplay
Alterium Shift is a JRPG is a turn-based combat where you pick hoose one of the three protagonists —Pyra, Atlas, or Sage—each with a unique storyline, starting location, and combat abilities. Combat follows a traditional turn-based system, where players can attack, defend, use items, or unleash special skills. Each character has unique abilities, such as fire-based sword attacks for Pyra or elemental magic for Sage. Exploration involves navigating detailed pixel-art towns, dungeons, and overworld areas. Players can find hidden chests, interact with NPCs, solve simple puzzles, and discover lore that enriches the world.
Alterium Shift Release Date
Alterium Shift is currently in Early Access and actively being developed by Drattzy Games LLC. While there’s no official release date for the full version yet, the game is available now on Steam through Early Access.
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| Price | $19.99 | ||||
Alterium Shift Review (Early Access): Echoes of the Past, Crafted Beautifully for the Present
Brimming with Promise and Meaningful Player Choice
Alterium Shift is still in Early Access, and while much can change by the time the full version launches, it already shows strong promise as a heartfelt love letter to classic JRPGs. Drawing inspiration from genre-defining titles of the past, the game doesn’t just wear its influences on its sleeve—it proudly celebrates them, from its nostalgic soundtrack and pixel-perfect visuals to its tight, rewarding exploration mechanics.
At its core, Alterium Shift embraces the joy of discovery. Exploring every corner of the environment isn’t just encouraged—it’s meaningfully rewarded. Hidden items, branching dialogue options, and world-building details tucked away in stuff like books and areas all add depth to the experience. One standout moment early on involves preparing for a test at your training academy: players are told to rest before the big day, but if you take the time to wander upstairs and read lore-filled books, you'll be better prepared for that test—something the game never explicitly tells you. It's a quiet but powerful way of reinforcing that exploration and curiosity matter.
The narrative follows your choice of one of three protagonists—Pyra, Atlas, or Sage—each with their own personality, story arc, and distinct path through the game. This branching character design doesn’t just offer surface-level changes; it delivers completely unique storylines and choices, giving your decisions weight and encouraging replayability. Pyra is the disciplined leader type, Atlas is quiet and introspective, and Sage is confident, flamboyant, and a little arrogant. Even in scenes where the character isn’t the lead, they still appear as fully fleshed-out party members, contributing unique dialogue and reacting in-character to events.
What really elevates Alterium Shift is how even small choices have meaningful consequences. Something as simple as waking your teammates before an exam instead of heading there alone can change how scenes play out—causing you to arrive late and get reprimanded, for instance. These moments make the world feel alive and reactive, and they add richness to each playthrough.
That said, there’s room to grow. While the trio of main characters are well-developed and entertaining, many NPCs outside of Dolion and Hermit currently lack the same charm or memorability. Expanding the supporting cast and deepening the lore beyond the surface-level “save the towns, fight the monsters” structure would do wonders. The foundations are strong—the world of Alteria is already intriguing, and the glimpses of its history hidden in books and dialogue hint at a deeper narrative waiting to unfold.
In short, Alterium Shift is shaping up to be something special. Its character-driven storytelling, smartly designed branching paths, and thoughtful world-building elevate it beyond simple nostalgia. With more polish and development, it has the potential to stand proudly alongside the very JRPGs that inspired it.
Top-Tier Sprite Design with Impressively Fluid Movement
From the moment you lay eyes on the visuals, it's clear that Alterium Shift's sprite work is exceptional. The game’s 2.5D art style is both vibrant and dynamic, with environments that feel layered and alive rather than flat. The camera work, particularly during battles, impressively shifts to reveal different angles of the same space, adding cinematic flair and a stronger sense of depth.
The color palette and lighting are rich and inviting, reminiscent of the Dragon Quest 2.5D remakes—but with a brighter, more expressive tone. In some ways, Alterium Shift even surpasses its inspirations, especially when it comes to the world map, which offers a grand, bird’s-eye view that’s both functional and visually stunning. The world feels interactive and playful, with delightful touches like chickens that flap away when approached and character sprites that stand out vividly from the backdrop. Each hero feels uniquely crafted, and the protagonist in particular exudes personality through their animations.
That said, some area designs could use refinement. At times, environments can feel cluttered or lack clear direction, with certain spaces feeling underutilized or narratively empty. While Alteria’s world is rich in classic JRPG charm, some locations feel more like aesthetic filler than meaningful destinations.
Still, one standout feature that deserves special praise is the character movement—particularly the walking animations. There’s an oddly satisfying rhythm to how the characters move; it's smooth, fluid, and full of personality. It's a small detail, but it adds immense charm and playability. The monster designs, too, are a highlight—reimagining familiar JRPG archetypes like goblins with a distinct and original visual twist that feels fresh and full of character.
Combat’s Fun—Just Don’t Expect Anything Too Deep
Alterium Shift opts for a classic turn-based combat system that leans into simplicity rather than complex mechanics—and for many fans of traditional JRPGs like myself, that’s a welcome approach. Battles follow familiar rhythms: attack, guard, use items, or activate special skills. Each character brings something unique to the table, like Pyra’s fiery sword strikes or Sage’s elemental magic, encouraging you to experiment with different strategies. The game’s magic system, called Alteria, revolves around managing a resource known as Alterium Essence (AE), which powers the strongest abilities in your arsenal. Managing AE wisely becomes crucial, especially during long, punishing boss fights.
As the story progresses, new allies join your party, adding welcome variety to combat encounters. While the system is straightforward, it isn’t without challenge—boss battles, in particular, will force you to guard often, heal strategically, and really think through your turns. It’s a satisfying loop, especially if you enjoy old-school RPGs.
That said, the simplicity can sometimes work against it. Repetition starts to set in, particularly during regular enemy encounters where the strategy doesn’t evolve much. The lack of deeper mechanics or resource regeneration—like gaining AE from basic attacks—can make some battles feel like a grind. Small quality-of-life features could go a long way here: things like a “rush” or auto-battle system for easier fights, enemy flee mechanics, or even speed-up options (2x/3x) would improve the overall flow without sacrificing the classic feel.
While Alterium Shift stays true to its turn-based roots and delivers a solid combat foundation, there’s room to refine and expand—much like Dragon Quest has done over the years. With a few thoughtful tweaks, its battle system could evolve from solid to exceptional.
So Much to Explore—and Side Quests Everywhere
The exploration in Alterium Shift is one of its most enjoyable aspects. The world feels alive and responsive, making every action you take feel meaningful. I especially love how each playable character offers unique interactions with the environment—choices and pathways can differ depending on who you’re controlling. Pyra, for example, can break through obstructive rocks, while Atlas can shoot distant targets to unlock doors or solve puzzles. It’s a clever touch that adds a layer of puzzle-like interactivity reminiscent of Zelda, something rarely seen in traditional JRPGs.
There’s a solid variety of side content too—from fishing spots and treasure hunts to charming fetch quests like rounding up five runaway chickens and returning them to a farm, or engaging in battles with bandit groups. These small but satisfying tasks make the world feel lived-in and rewarding to explore. The environmental variety helps keep things fresh, whether you’re wandering through arid deserts or navigating dense, dangerous forests.
I also appreciate the inclusion of optional fights and hidden loot that give exploration more purpose. That said, some areas could use a bit more polish. There are a number of treasure chests scattered around that currently can’t be opened, which breaks the immersion a bit. And while the world design is rich, it can occasionally be difficult to navigate—certain objectives or paths aren’t always clearly marked, which may lead to some frustrating backtracking.
Still, the game’s approach to exploration is both inventive and promising. With some refinement to map clarity and those elusive chests, Alterium Shift could set a new standard for how JRPGs approach environmental interactivity.
Lean More Into the Choice Driven Aspect and Fix the Bugs
Alterium Shift has a lot going for it, and with the right refinements, it has the potential to truly stand out—possibly even becoming a cult classic. One of the most compelling aspects of the game is its branching choices, and I believe leaning even further into that could set it apart from other turn-based RPGs. If decisions—both big and small—had more meaningful consequences, not just within the main storyline but also in side quests and world interactions, it could elevate the experience to something closer to what you’d find in Shin Megami Tensei, where player alignment and outcomes are directly shaped by the paths you choose.
The foundation for high replayability is already there, and doubling down on cause-and-effect systems could make it even more impactful. These types of mechanics would not only enrich the world but also give players a strong reason to come back and experience different outcomes with each playthrough.
That said, as the game is currently in early access, there are a few technical issues that still need addressing. I experienced several bugs during my time with the game, including crashes and battles failing to load. Thankfully, features like the auto-save system and the ability to save anywhere help mitigate those frustrations, but it’s something I hope the developers continue to polish as development progresses.
A few more quality-of-life improvements—such as better UI clarity, enhanced accessibility, or gameplay speed options—could also go a long way in making the game even more approachable and enjoyable.
As it stands, Alterium Shift is a fantastic start. For $19 in early access, it already offers a generous amount of content and creativity. If the developers continue on this path—fixing bugs, enhancing choices, and adding thoughtful improvements—it could become something truly special. I highly recommend checking it out and supporting its journey as it evolves into its full potential.
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Alterium Shift Product Information
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| Title | Alterium Shift |
|---|---|
| Release Date | June 21, 2025 (Early Access) |
| Developer | Clockwork Labs |
| Publisher | Clockwork Labs |
| Supported Platforms | PC |
| Genre | Casual, Simulator |
| Number of Players | Online Multiplayer |
| ESRB Rating | N/A |
| Official Website | BitCraft Website |
