1000xResist has some of the best, most dynamic storytelling in gaming.

Looking back, twenty twenty. Therefore, the end of humanity is often the best time to interrogate it. Developer Sunset Visitor’s sci-fi adventure 1000xResist uses a post-apocalyptic scenario to do just that. The story takes place many years after a strange water purification disease carried by an alien race called the Occupiers has nearly wiped out our species. We explore not only how this happened, but also the nature of what it means to be human, through the eyes of one man. teenage girl.

However, these eyes are kaleidoscopic: one becomes many. Revered as the All-Mother, an entire society has literally emerged in her image – cloned from her DNA, although without her immunity to disease they must live within the confines of the Garden. Living a short train ride from the complex, the Sisters dream of one day being recognized enough to join her, and never returning from the vast train network.

The All-Mother is not often directly present in the story of 1000xResist. But it hangs over every edge. Not only because she is the only conduit between the old and new worlds, but also because our character, the Observer, will kill her. The bloody act is a bombastic opening that leaves us asking: why?

Back to the past

All-Mother, Iris, at 1000xResist holds a sharp knife and says:

(Image credit: Sunset Visitor, Fellow Traveler)

Turning back time, we follow the Watchers as they bid farewell to their friend Fixer and set off to ride the rails while continuing to ponder the nature of their existence. The Observer is first introduced to their role as an administrator, specific roles within the Garden that oversee each department and are color coded according to their responsibilities.

Gently, they also reflect the facets of the All-Mother as a person and the facets that live within each of us. Bang Bang Fire leads the army in constant preparation for what seems to be the inevitable return of the invaders; The knower is responsible for the archive of knowledge, such as surviving books; Hiller leads not only the medical department, but also the cloning department itself, conducting vital research; and Fixer, being the head of the technical department, monitors everything that happens. Above them is a director who makes sure everything runs smoothly.

However, as an Observer, you are more of an observer, able to use your special secretary droid to enter into “Communion”, giving you direct access to literally exploring the All-Mother’s memories of before she was like this; when she was just an awkward teenager named Iris. Given the revelation and early warning that what we see as we wander through the past may not be all that it seems, we’re never quite sure what we’re going to reveal about Iris’s attitude toward the Occupier threat. But we know that the Observer is awaiting awakening.

The occupier suspends bodies in the air with 1000 times the resistance with red lighting. The one who knows says

(Image credit: Sunset Visitor, Fellow Traveler)

Sensing the Observer’s unease, the Director gives us new orders after our first Communion: take your sisters with you to further the Garden’s knowledge of the All-Mother more widely. This is the ideal setting to keep every communion fresh. Not only do you explore specific events in Iris’ memory, but you can also deepen your connection with the other sisters and learn more about the world of the Orchard through their reactions to what they see.

“Putting us in both spaces as the Observer makes his story more impactful than if it were simply written down.”

Naturally, everyone has a completely different reaction to the events in which they are immersed. The Observer may be an outside observer, but rather than remaining completely neutral, she uses these perspectives to broaden her view of every event she witnesses (and yes, I’m avoiding spoilers like it’s no one’s business – you you really deserve to come in and be surprised yourself!). For clones, there is a blurred line between how close all these perspectives are to being part of our feelings and the Observer’s own feelings. Where is the line between Iris, the All-Mother, the Watcher and the rest of the Sisters? And where do they all actually belong?

Developer Sunset Visitor is based in Vancouver, Canada, and draws on the real-life experiences of the Asian-Canadian diaspora in a way that can be felt in the story, and the context of Communion neatly allows its speculative sci-fi story to shake hands strongly with the events. closer to home. Placing us in both spaces as the Observer makes his story more impactful than if it were simply written down, although the writing presented in 1000xResist is definitely its strong point. While some of the parallels to recent real-life events of political resistance are not subtle, the opportunity to take part in exploring these themes adds a lot.

Reading mode

The bartender at 1000xResist asks you: "What can I download for you?" Available options: Blue Communion, Inside Sunrise, Dark 'n Sinful and Bloody Sister. The bar is brightly lit and there are hot air balloons in the background. Instead of glasses, there are strange wired devices on the counter.

(Image credit: Sunset Visitor, Fellow Traveler)

Even though 1000xResist is a visual novel with a lot of (fully voiced) text, your interaction with the story is quite active. Various moments in Communions allow you to explore, absorb additional details as you look at objects or listen to snapshots of conversations, and figure out how to move forward.

Participles are not tied exclusively to one specific point in time, but represent related memories from the same period. With the press of a button, you can jump through time, reflecting on the slow passing of days, or simply switch back and forth to move through spaces when, for example, a door closed in your memory. day, but the next day it’s open (and then comes back to see what’s going on behind that castle). It’s a bit like the dream dive from AI: The Somnium Files, but thankfully without the time limit.

Even when 1000xResist is in its more text-heavy mode, you rarely feel like you’re just reading reams of text, thanks to the combination of voice acting and fast writing. While the visuals can be technically rough, especially on the Switch (where I played), stylistically there is some breathtaking cinematography in the way it’s all put together. For those who find Necrobarista’s approach easy to understand due to its dynamism, 1000xResist plays in much of a similar space with its presentation, using a grander narrative and a wider range of situations to its advantage while seeking out interesting visuals.

The Observer explores the Garden in 1000xResist while standing on the path next to another sister. The locations ahead are marked:

(Image credit: Sunset Visitor, Fellow Traveler)

All this is united by the Garden itself. Between communions, you have the opportunity to talk to the sisters hanging around and chat with those you have become closer to. It’s a confusing space to navigate – even with the post-launch map added – and I found myself wanting to almost Neon White-as a fast travel menu. That is until later chapters skillfully recontextualize the space you are already familiar with. This is similar to how in Communions you can switch between different versions of the same location, but here it’s out of your control. Time always moves forward.

1000xResist is always priced wisely, and its excellent pacing makes it easy to get through even if the story-heavy games feel a little daunting. Considered one chapter at a time, its 11-12 hour length doesn’t seem too long at all. And once it hooks you, you’ll find yourself having much longer sessions, much in the same way that you often can’t resist reading the next chapter in a good book. Turn the page and get started!

1000x Resist is out now on PC and Switch. For more advice, visit our Indie Spotlight row. Or if you’re just looking best gaming storiesread this too!