Aphelion Reviews
As if frostbitten of any nuance, intrigue, or genuine character, Aphelion may just be Don't Nod's most boring title of all time.
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.
Aphelion is a beautifully created game by Dontnod and while it's gameplay has its issues, the narrative is pure sci-fi perfection
Aphelion may stumble in its mechanics, but when it places focus on the storytelling, atmosphere and spectacle, it’s exactly the kind of experience DON’T NOD excels at. It’s intriguing, mysterious and clever - we just wish it was tighter in terms of save points and how the gameplay is handled.
One small step for... well, you know the rest
As a complete package, Aphelion mostly lands, especially when it comes to the story. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you engaged, and it’s one of those games whose story cleverly combines a variety of emotions. You will be scared, happy, and also curious to see where everything goes. I enjoyed the game’s ending, but I can see some people will dislike where we leave these characters.
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.
An experience that I don’t think even DON’T NOD fans will enjoy, firmly in the “play it and forget it” category, and if it’s remembered at all, it’ll only be for its ending.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Aphelion delivers a visually striking world and excellent soundtrack, but ultimately fails where it matters most ' gameplay. The story never truly gains momentum and the characters feel generic, resulting in an experience that feels style-over-substance. Despite strong audiovisual presentation, the game serves as a reminder that presentation alone is not enough to carry a title.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Aphelion does well in both providing a good story with emotional pull, while also providing an experience that differs from the studio's previous works. The investigative portions may feel light, but they also provide a nice break from the stealth and climbing sections. The investigation, stealth, and climbing make the game feel more involved than what some may expect for a genre that can border on being walking simulators or Western versions of the visual novel. The presentation is great, and the runtime feels just right, making Aphelion an experience that's well worth checking out.
Aphelion is a third-person adventure set on a remote planet. With two playable characters and the planet Persephone as the true protagonist, its climbing mechanics and stealth sequences aren't enough to draw us into the experience. DON'T NOD repeats some of its past mistakes by forcing drama and intensity in an adventure where science fiction is relegated to a secondary role. A flimsy excuse to watch the characters suffer and declare their love for one another to the strains of a cello throughout the four or five hours the experience lasts.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A worthwhile sci-fi story that is marred by questionable gameplay. One would expect more from Don't Nod.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Aphelion tells a gripping story of humanity's last chance for survival on a distant frozen planet through the eyes of 2 astronauts. The adventuring segments aren't as enjoyable as the story but if you're a fan of DON'T NOD games, you won't want to miss this one. 🪐
For me, the overall world of Aphelion was incredible to behold, as the scenery was very beautiful, and I couldn’t wait to see what was waiting for me around each corner. The gameplay was very challenging in the sense that it was fun to play, but there were a few issues during my run that made it very problematic and made me lose my patience. The game’s story was fantastic, with emotions bursting at the seams with every cutscene, dialogue, and location being filled with so much emotional impact that even a person like me, who doesn’t feel emotion that often, was able to feel for Aphelion.
Aphelion is really close to greatness. The narrative itself is impeccable and one that taken on its own might as well be one of the best of the year. I stand by that. The writing is passionate to the point it makes you root for its dual protagonists. The fact the game itself is concise aids it greatly, as it never outstays its welcome. But it’s impossible not to wonder how many times Don’t Nod must try to create a masterpiece only to fall short by a few crippling issues. I do not have the answer, but I long for the day they succeed.
Aphelion is a title that once again confirms DON'T NOT's ability to create compelling stories. Although it is not always perfect, it manages to hold the weight well for its entire duration.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Aphelion has a heartfelt story that is well-acted and paced. It falls apart with unfinished gameplay and too many bugs to ignore.
It takes some time for the story to fully unfold, and the gameplay often relies on fairly traditional corridor-based principles, but the strong narrative compensates for these shortcomings to a large extent.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
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.
Review in French | Read full review