Aphelion

Ultimately, these just result in different ways to have you move slowly through a pretty basic area.

Aphelion is far from the next classic Don’t Nod game, but fans of the studio will likely have a good enough time with it. The concept and narrative execution are strong here, but so much of it is bogged down by gameplay segments that made me wish I could skip like a cutscene.

After finishing Aphelion, the feeling is one of having lived through a journey that bets much more on emotion than on spectacle for its own sake. Even while using a fascinating science fiction setting with visually imposing scenery, the game chooses to tell a deeply human story, centering the relationship between the protagonists, their sense of responsibility, and their desire to keep exploring even as every certainty falls away. This choice defines the entire production and lets the work stand out within a genre where action and big plot twists often take center stage. One of the aspects we appreciated most concerns precisely the consistency of the experience. From start to finish, Aphelion never loses sight of its own identity. It doesn’t suddenly try to turn into a shooter, doesn’t throw in superfluous mechanics to artificially inflate variety, and doesn’t constantly chase spectacle. Every element, from the narrative to the gameplay to the audiovisual side, pulls in the same direction, helping build a balanced, believable adventure. This is a quality we shouldn’t undervalue today, especially in a market where many productions end up overloading themselves with systems and content and lose sight of their original vision. The art direction undoubtedly stands as one of the highest points of the whole production. The alien scenery constantly conveys that sense of wonder and isolation that should accompany any good space exploration story. Every vista communicates something to the player, not just on an aesthetic level, but on an emotional one too. The narrative won us over too, and we especially appreciated the developers’ choice to tell the story without constantly resorting to long exposition dumps or overly explanatory dialogue. They let much of the information emerge through exploration and the interactions between the protagonists, letting the player feel like an integral part of the journey. On the gameplay side, though, the mechanics always do their job competently, but they rarely surprised us. The mechanics the developers introduce work, fit well into the progression, and feel pleasant to use, but they hardly ever come across as truly innovative. Personally, I don’t consider this a particularly serious flaw, since the game doesn’t base its value on mechanical complexity. Still, it’s undeniable that greater gameplay evolution would probably have made the experience even more memorable. The challenge level also stays fairly contained. The exploration sections and puzzles generally stay accessible, letting the player focus mainly on the narrative. What keeps coming through, though, is the quality of the overall construction. Aphelion proves that revolutionizing a genre isn’t necessary to make a good video game. Having a clear vision, developing it with consistency, and taking care of every detail so all the components work in the same direction is enough. The title achieves exactly that: it builds a harmonious experience, where narrative, gameplay, graphics, and sound complement each other without any single element overpowering the rest. This is a title that manages to stand out through the quality of its execution and its ability to emotionally engage the player. It belongs to that group of games that would rather leave players with memories tied to characters, landscapes, and emotions than to a constant chase after the shock factor. And for that reason, I can only recommend it wholeheartedly.

Aphelion is the equivalent of a burger from a fast-food restaurant. You know it’s not good for you, it’s not the greatest and it’s not going to blow your mind but it will satiate your hunger. Give this game a try if you don’t mind playing through a slow-burn, climbing, walking and light puzzle solving game with gorgeous visuals and a rather standard sci-fi story.

Aphelion has the look and sound of an ambitious cinematic sci-fi adventure, with a visually striking planet, strong performances, and an excellent soundtrack. Unfortunately, its frustrating climbing, repetitive stealth sections, heavy corridor design, technical bugs, and underwhelming story turn that promise into a slow and often tedious journey.

As if frostbitten of any nuance, intrigue, or genuine character, Aphelion may just be Don't Nod's most boring title of all time.

Aphelion has a heartfelt story that is well-acted and paced. It falls apart with unfinished gameplay and too many bugs to ignore.

DON’T NOD took a massive gamble by ditching combat, and it completely pays off. Aphelion hooks you through the raw panic of climbing frozen walls, babysitting your oxygen tanks, and tricking a blind, sound-tracking creature using your visor gear. The instant-fail stealth sequences against the giant tracking eye of The Nemesis is a bit punishing, but the incredible audio design and DualSense feedback turn this brutal trek into a memorable ride.

Aphelion is a narrative science-fiction game that places a strong emphasis on atmosphere, exploration, and the mystery surrounding Persephone. Thanks to its stunning art direction, highly effective environmental storytelling, and clever concepts involving electromagnetic waves, the game manages to hold your interest for much of the adventure. Unfortunately, several technical issues detract from the experience. Uneven animations, problematic collisions, and certain movement-related bugs sometimes prevent the game from fully reaching its potential. After a while, the climbing sections and stealth areas became so repetitive that I found myself no longer wanting to explore the next area.

Aphelion delivers a visually impressive and cinematic sci-fi experience, but it lacks enough mystery and strong narrative progression. The gameplay, while simple, is not always smooth and can feel frustrating at times due to its design. On the other hand, the game succeeds in offering a strong artistic presentation, supported by consistently high-quality music throughout the journey.