1000xRESIST is a game I never expected to play and immediately love. It came onto my radar when many of my favorite content creators on X (formerly Twitter) praised its impressive storytelling.
Even my favorite YouTuber, Jacob Geller, ranked it as his second favorite game of 2024.
There were plenty of great games to play last year, with Path of Exile 2 and Marvel Rivals consuming much of my final days of 2024.
It took me eight months after its release to finally find the time to dive into 1000xRESIST, and thank the ALLMOTHER I did. From the very first chapter, it had me hooked.
"There Is A Fundamental Reordering"
1000xRESIST defies simple categorization. It is, in essence, a codified blueprint of humanity wrapped inside this game's story — where our last vestiges of hope, dreams, fears, and desires are laid bare in the wake of an unexpected alien invasion.
Some might call it a walking simulator, a visual novel, or a unique narrative experience. Whatever the label, it delivers a powerful message about letting go of the past to make room for the future.
The game’s sci-fi elements are heavy. A mysterious race known only as the "Occupants" has taken over the world, spreading an airborne disease that causes humans to cry uncontrollably until their bodies are completely dehydrated.
It’s a truly morbid thing to imagine, yet within 1000xRESIST, it is not the core of the story.
"There Is Comfort In A New Camouflage"
Thus begins the game's story. Without spoiling too much, imagine entrusting humanity's fate to a single person—flawed, emotional, and burdened by the collective unconsciousness of an entire bloodline.
It’s an overwhelming responsibility that rests on the shoulders of Iris, the game’s central protagonist and the last human survivor. Immune to the disease, she is unable to bear the weight alone, so she turns to advanced cloning technology.
Using strands of her own hair, she creates multiple versions of herself — nameless shells, each serving a distinct function to carry out the will of the ALLMOTHER, as she is called. These clones revere her as a deity, their civilization growing within humanity’s final bastion known only as the Orchard.
Though the shells share ALLMOTHER’s physical features, each has a distinct personality. I found immense joy in speaking with them, most notably Knower and Bang Bang Fire (that's her name, yes).
It's like meeting classmates in your senior year; some are odd, some skittish, and others are surprisingly wise. Roaming the Orchard and interacting with these NPCs was one of my favorite aspects of the experience.
The game involves a lot of dialogue, and that’s okay. I wasn’t expecting 1000xRESIST to be another NieR: Automata with stylish combat and androids in skimpy outfits. This story is best experienced with an open mind and a willingness to read and listen.
Thankfully, the game features full voice acting, ensuring that every spoken word carries weight.
"There Is a You and a You That Remains"
While 1000xRESIST is set in the distant future, it frequently flashes back to Iris’s past and her parents’ struggles in their homeland. These fragmented glimpses are essential to fully grasp the narrative.
At its core, this isn’t merely a story about an alien invasion. It is a tale deeply rooted in history, culminating in a crescendo of emotional turmoil for our protagonist, Iris.
A key thread in its narrative is the story of Iris’s parents — immigrants from Hong Kong who fled their homeland to escape the injustices brought about by the controversial 2019 Hong Kong Extradition Bill.
The widespread protests and subsequent diaspora of Hong Kong citizens seeking a better future serve as a clear allegory within the game’s science fiction framework.
"Resonance"
As the credits rolled, I was floored by the depth of 1000xRESIST's story. It left me in a state of profound reflection, and my emotions were raw from the tears I shed during its final moments.
The game offers multiple endings, but I chose what felt like the best one was— the Blue Ending. It provided closure, allowing humanity to move forward while acknowledging the sins of the past.
Yet even after making my choice, I found myself lost in thought. These endings don’t fit the traditional mold of video game conclusions, where the hero saves the day or rescues a princess from another castle.
Instead, 1000xRESIST presents a choice that forces the player, not just Iris, Blue, Watcher, or the Shells, to reflect on what truly matters.
I knew what was coming, and I was prepared for it. And I loved every moment of it.
While I could blabber on for a while longer, it's almost impossible to talk much more without giving everything away. I’m grateful I gave 1000xRESIST a chance.
It has cemented itself among my all-time favorite games, just a few spots behind Outer Wilds by Mobius Digital. It masterfully combines themes of injustice, revolution, longing, and science fiction to create an unforgettable experience.
This wasn’t just a video game — it was a deeply personal journey into the best and worst of humanity, with hope lingering at the edges, waiting to be grasped.