Aphelion Reviews
Aphelion is a project that impresses above all for its ambition, identity and coherence: DON’T NOD has chosen to move away from its best-known and tried-and-tested formula with the clear intention of creating an adventure that is more compact, more direct and less branching, yet no less personal. The linear narrative could have been a risk but – in reality – it is the best way to give strength – thanks also to a top-notch soundtrack and sound design – to a story of survival and relationships set in a scientifically credible context. The gameplay, whilst less brilliant than the narrative and artistic aspects – partly due to less-than-ideal input lag and questionable precision, as well as the excessive presence of scripted sections (which unfortunately affects the final rating) – completes a formula that is certainly not flawless but which ultimately offers an experience that, however imperfect, we are sure will be appreciated especially by lovers of science fiction and films such as Interstellar, Gravity, Ad Astra and The Martian!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Aphelion is fascinating and visually stunning adventure that has some of the best audio work that I've ever witnessed. Gameplay-wise it is quite simplistic – and that may drive some people away.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
All in all, Aphelion is a game I’ve developed a love-hate relationship with. It’s taken me to unprecedented heights and deep lows.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Aphelion is a game that relies on atmosphere, narrative, and setting to drive its journey, but ultimately relegates gameplay to the background. The combination of linear exploration, simple challenges, and repetitive mechanics means that player engagement varies considerably throughout the game.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Aphelion tells an engaging story with a lot of interesting lore and the switch between protagonists is well integrated into the plot and adds to the experience. However the technical issues and the rather shallow gameplay prevent it from competing in the top tier of Don't Nod-titles. While the various ideas in Ariane's sequences add good variety there's never that much of a challenge gameplay-wise and the stuttering and bugs only intensify the feeling that the game would've needed a little bit more finetuning before its release.
Review in German | Read full review
Developed by Dont Nod, Aphelion is a story-driven adventure game set on an icy, inhospitable planet. The focus is not on fast action, but on atmosphere, emotion and the gradual discovery of a mystery. The game thus joins a growing group of titles that emphasize experience over gameplay intensity.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
"A cinematic survival journey into the depths of uncharted space" Aphelion offers an experience heavily reliant on atmosphere and psychological tension, with a cohesive visual world and clever sound design that complements the gameplay. However, it suffers from limited innovation in some mechanics and a clear reliance on familiar elements. Despite this, the DON'T NOD touch is present, and the game delivers a unique experience that will undoubtedly appeal to fans of this genre.
Review in Arabic | Read full review