1000xResist

Genre: Graphic Adventure

Players: 1

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Review:

1000xResist, released in 2024 on PC and Nintendo Switch, is a game whose genre I would place somewhere between Walking Simulator, Graphic Adventure, and Visual Novel, leaning more in the direction of Graphic Adventure. And its story… well, figuring out exactly what’s going on is a part of 1000xResist, so I would suggest that you treat even a basic description of the story as being spoilers. As such…

WARNING: SPOILERS

1000xResist is a somewhat nonlinear story that largely takes place in a seemingly utopian post-apocalyptic society populated by clones. Players take the role of one such clone, Watcher, who throughout the story as her designated role in this strange society explores the memories of the deified founder of this society, referred to by this society as Allmother but known in pre-apocalyptic times as Iris, and seen here as a teenager.

Because of this, the game’s story unravels both through explorations of this past, but also as things take a turn in the future as well, with Watcher coming to learn that the reality she and her peers have been taught may in fact be a lie. At the same time, you’ll be learning that, far from the godlike figure she’s praised as, Iris was no saint either. Through both stories, you’ll gradually learn what happened to bring things to where they are now, how this society works, and the truth behind what’s really happening.

This story seems strongly reminiscent of other cult-like utopia-hiding-a-dystopia stories like Logan’s Run, but is nevertheless unique due to its wildly creative worldbuilding and its surprisingly intimate look at Iris’ life, which touches on themes of the struggles of immigrants, the fragile nature of family, disparate responses to a pandemic, mental illness, and abandonment. Add in some violent scenes at some points, and I think it’s fair to say this game deserves a trigger warning as it’s likely to hit close to home for some players.

SPOILERS OVER

1000xResist is not an easy story to get into. The disjointed way it starts is particularly confusing, but there’s also the issue that part of the story is seen from the perspective of a character who is casually callous and cruel in the way that teenagers can be. Yet despite these challenges, I was absolutely hooked on this story, both the tale of Iris in the past and the strange futuristic society that she would eventually come to create.

The gameplay is mostly just walking around and talking with people, though the game shakes things up by having some parts that let you jump forward and backward through time to solve puzzles, and there are other moments where players must “vault” themselves from point to point in midair to reach a destination. Once you get the hang of how this is done, there’s little skill or reflex involved here, but it does make for an interesting way to transition.

The game’s world is realized through some highly imaginative 3D visuals that combine sterile futuristic environments, simplified contemporary environments, abstract dreamworld-like transitions, and characters that seem vaguely anime-styled. I do feel like these visuals are a bit lacking in a few places, though – characters’ mouths don’t move while they’re talking, making conversations look odd. Also, there is an absolutely nasty amount of aliasing going on here, and some bad framerate drops, though thankfully these have little effect on the gameplay..

I also need to take a moment to talk about the voice acting and music. The voice acting here is really fantastic, and surprisingly understated, with characters often muttering under their breaths, using disaffected tones, or ever so subtly conveying unease in a way that others in the game could understandably not pick up on, but which the player will hear. Plus, the game does this in multiple language, with characters often going back and forth between English and subtitled Mandarin or Cantonese in a way that sounds believable and genuine.

The music, meanwhile, does an incredible job highlighting the emotional elements of the often tragic story, with excellent quiet and subdued tracks like Watcher, Watcher Haunted, Wake Up, A Future Worthwhile, The Youngest Looks, and A Teardrop ~Zip~.

Overall, despite the problem I have with the visuals and with the confusing opening, I absolutely recommend 1000xResist. The story and characters are incredible, and its world feels unique and inspired. I do think that those issues, as well as potentially triggering content, will mean this isn’t a game for everyone. However, those who aren’t put off by those issues should definitely check this out.

tl;dr – 1000xResist is a Graphic Adventure with a story about… well, piecing together what’s going on is a part of the experience, I think. Suffice it to say, this game tackles both massive world-spanning topics and small, intimate topics with writing, characters, and voice acting that’s truly outstanding. The visuals have some issues, and the story’s disjointed nature will likely be confusing for some players. There is also a fair amount of triggering topic matter here. However, those who can tolerate these things will find this game to be an extremely original and highly rewarding experience.

Grade: A-

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This game has been nominated for one or more of eShopperReviews 2024 Game Awards:

Winner:

Best Voice Acting – The high-concept sci-fi plot of 1000xResist could have easily come across as silly or detached, but the heartfelt performances of the incredible voice cast lend everything a weight and sadness that permeates through even the most surreal moments of the game. Through all the strange cult-like citations the characters say to the inflections of simple one-word answers to questions that say so much more than the words themselves ever could, 1000xResist’s voice acting elevates the game’s story and adds a human element to the cold world the game’s characters live in.

Best Story – At first disorienting, and then seemingly following in the footsteps of futuristic utopia-hiding-a-dystopic sci-fi classic stories like Logan’s Run, 1000xResist takes the time to explore the sadness and loneliness that can grow in such a place, and then expands beyond that to explore a different sort of sadness and loneliness as you learn more about this society’s founding figure, and her own story of becoming increasingly distant from her family, dealing with mental illness, and the unique stresses that come with being the child of immigrant parents. Add to this the societal upheaval caused by a global pandemic, and it’s not hard to see how this game’s themes could touch a nerve for its players. Yet despite the extreme sci-fi concepts the game uses, its focus remains squarely on the human side of things. And that makes for an exceptional story.

Runner-Up: Best Graphic Adventure / Visual Novel, Best Music, Best Song – Watcher Haunted by Line Katcho and Drew Redman, Best New Character – Iris

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