Aphelion Reviews

DON’T NOD’s Aphelion pairs a heartfelt sci-fi story with atmospheric exploration across the frozen world of Persephone, even if its survival and stealth systems play things safe.

Aphelion is a solid experience that delivers on its promise, with its world and excellent performance backing it up. This one's a memorable title if you're looking for a great story, but might disappoint you if you want a challenge.

Despite some stunning visuals and an excellent soundtrack, Aphelion sadly doesn’t have the narrative prowess that DON’T NOD is known for. Bland characters and a story that doesn’t deliver on its promising premise, plus a tedious gameplay loop makes this sci-fi adventure a disappointment.

phelion's held back by frustrating controls and gameplay that often works against you. Even with an emotional score and a decent narrative, it isn't enough to save what could have otherwise been a memorable experience. Unfortunately, Dontnod's latest falls short on many accounts, but it's propped up by some great performances and music.

Aphelion has some excellent moments regarding the story, but is let down by consistently frustrating gameplay where you feel punished for no reason.

A near future third person sci-fi adventure whose believable characters, expressive animation, and glorious icy backdrops are undermined by a linear story with too little variety in its interactions.

Sci-fi movies have taught us a few things over the years: in space, everyone can hear your explosions, people wearing red always die first, and, if you’re visiting a planet to discover if its inhabitable, you will definitely crash land upon arrival. It’s the latter rule that applies to Aphelion. Here two astronauts – both will-they-won’t-they-enthusiasts – Ariane and Thomas are stranded on the secret 9th planet in our solar system, Persephone. They are there to see if the planet will support human life, but wouldn’t you know it, they are separated and must survive alone before reuniting and uncovering the mystery that lurks at the heart of Persephone.

Aphelion is an enticing sci-fi adventure that explores humanity’s next home in the stars while telling a touching love story. Some of its gameplay mechanics are underbaked, but the balance between emotional interactions and mysterious intrigue nevertheless makes for an exciting time from start to finish.

Recent years have seen Don’t Nod Entertainment make a more concerted effort to create games that offer a more enriching gameplay experience in addition to its trademark narrative design. The studio’s newest title, Aphelion, falls short of delivering compelling gameplay, but its story and characters are a strong suit.

Aphelion has an interesting story to tell, with some stunning character and visual moments on display, but some noticeable technical issues need to be addressed.

Aphelion is a cinematic adventure that tells a dramatic tale about two astronauts’ passion and commitment to one another and the mission. Although its gameplay is conventional and follows in the footsteps of its inspirations, the design amplifies the sense of isolation, heightening the tension of each moment. A touching and grounded story, the game leaves a lasting impression, proving that even among the stars, it’s the human connection that resonates most.

Aphelion grabs your attention and your heart from the very start and doesn’t let go

Aphelion is a small game that hits hard with big emotions by embracing the very best elements of science fiction. It embraces humanity and connection while still showcasing the genre’s love of alien planets and condemnation of evil corporations.

Aphelion isn’t a particularly bad game, but its gameplay and story are a little too safe to create an experience that is memorable.

Aphelion is a solid science fiction adventure with a large focus on emotional connection and narrative. Despite some tedious controls and obvious bugs, the journey is worth staying to the very end.

Aphelion is a cinematic masterclass in storytelling. From the very beginning, you can tell that every moment of the game will be important. While it can't seem to keep up that same sort of engagement in the moment-to-moment gameplay, it works well enough to keep driving you forward. A short and enticing space-age mystery thriller that can satisfy from a story standpoint, but leaves a little to be desired in terms of gameplay.

Aphelion is very much a compelling, though mechanically nuts and bolts narrative adventure that embraces linearity and spectacle above all else. Though its embedded dynamic of interpersonal relationships is engaging, the technical flaws, occasional clunkiness and aged-like-milk stealth sections sadly do much to undercut its otherwise impressive qualities.

Aphelion may not impress all that much on the gameplay front, with its traversal and stealth sections sometimes marred by its clunky controls, but its story and presentation pick up the slack, making it an enjoyable trek across an alien planet on the whole.

Ever since I went to see Project Hail Mary, I’ve been chasing that next great sci-fi fix. The kind that delivers big ideas and memorable characters without talking down to the audience. DONTNOD’s Aphelion seemed to arrive at just the right moment, but does it actually live up to that promise? As you’ll probably gather from the rest of this review, I’m not convinced it quite sticks the landing.

The Earth has become uninhabitable and it's up to 2 seasoned astronauts to explore a distant planet for the possibility of carrying human life.

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