The Alters: Is there a point of no return?

How to prepare for the key game mechanics getting blocked in the finale of The Alters? This guide page focuses on the final part of the main campaign and thoroughly discusses 2 points of no return. We explain when they may appear and what game functionalities may be temporarily or permanently blocked. This will allow you to perform all the most important tasks in advance.

• When is the first point of no return?
• When is the second point of no return of the finale?

When is the first point of no return?

1. While getting through the main storyline of the game, you can come across two points of no return. They appear regardless of the plot choices you've made and can block certain game options. You should prepare well for each of them.
2. Expect the first point of no return to appear while completing the Sky's the Limit task in Act 3. You must first complete the mission objectives that involve investigating the sources of disturbances, constructing a Fragmenting Device, and building a Materializer Module at the base.
3. You will receive another mission objective to go to the designated point and contact Jan Scientist. The indicated location is the end part of the upper path, near deep Organics Deposit Areas, as shown in the attached screenshot.

1. After pressing the interaction key, you will receive a notification about the point of no return.
2. Crossing the point of no return will temporarily block selected game mechanics. Until the main task of setting up the Fragmenting Device is completed, the options to return to base, explore the planet, fast travel, and set up Mining Outposts will not be available.

It is crucial to prepare well for this mission, because once you find yourself on the large branches of the Interal Tree, there will be no turning back:

1. Start the expedition in the morning, preferably right at the start of the day. This will eliminate the risk of not having enough time to reach the top of the Interal Tree.
2. Produce spare Suit Batteries for Jan. We recommend crafting around 5 batteries. You will use them for destroying anomalies and for climbing (if you haven't invented the Free Climbing technology).
3. Produce a stock of repair kits for the base. Failures will keep happening there (as they do during magnetic storms). Your alters can take care of them, but they will need the right equipment. 10 repair kits is the recommended minimum.

After Jan sets up the Fragmenting Device on the tree and destroys the Prism Barrier, you will regain all the game functionalities.

When is the second point of no return of the finale?

1. The second point of no return is definitely more important, as it will permanently block almost all main mechanics and you won't be able to take care of them.
2. You need to advance to the Final Preparations task from the end of Act 3. As part of this quest, you need to reactivate the beacon (this time it'll work) to summon the rescue team. This will allow you to take care of several smaller tasks from the journal, which involve preparing for various game endings. The more of these missions you complete, the more options will be available to you at the end of the campaign.

1. Wait for the new mission objective to appear in your journal: When ready, proceed at the Base Navigation console. To do this, head to the Command Center at the base. After interacting with the right console, you will receive a message about the point of no return.

1. All subsequent steps will block the possibility to explore the planet, complete quests, and manage the base. Additionally, the game will stop counting time, s you don't have to worry if you have little time left till sunrise.
2. You need to hold the option to finalize preparations. The final sequence will start, including planned cutscenes and the possibility to choose the ending.

See also:

1. Game guide
2. Can you stop time?
3. Can you fail a task?

The Alters

June 13, 2025

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