Aphelion Reviews
Aphelion isn't a particularly bad game, but its gameplay and story are a little too safe to create an experience that is memorable.
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.
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. 🪐
Aphelion is a great sci-fi adventure that delivers on all fronts. The story, atmosphere, traversal, stealth, and visuals are all great. Ariane and Thomas give the mission a strong emotional centre, while Persephone gives the journey scale, danger, and mystery.
Aphelion is not a terrible game; rather, it is quite uneven, which is incredibly frustrating. It has brilliant moments from time to time, especially at the beginning, in the atmosphere, and in the sound design, but it too often falls back into repetition and mechanical simplicity.
Don't Nod is back, and they're doing it in style! Aphelion is a title we've come to appreciate for its top-notch storytelling, above-average scientific accuracy, and a thoroughly impressive technical execution. It's a game we'd recommend not only to sci-fi fans but also to anyone looking to enjoy a great adventure story—just the right length and with well-balanced difficulty. Finally, the price is the classic cherry on top of a delicious cake! It’s a shame that, unlike the developer’s other IPs, there won’t be a sequel.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Aphelion'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 is a fine action-adventure game. I use “action” loosely here as there isn’t that much action, but there is more than we are used to in a Don’t Nod title. With a solid enough story there is enough to get invested in here. But with game play mechanics that faulter more than they work, and a final third of the game that drags on far too long, it’s hard to recommend Aphelion to anyone other than the die hard Don’t Nod fans.
Aphelion is yet another typical Don’t Nod game. Either you’ll devour the story with gusto, or you won’t give a hoot about it. Personally, I quite like their approach and enjoyed the game, and the story in particular. When it comes to gameplay, I’m torn. On the one hand, Ari’s climbing eventually started to bore me (even though it was fun and challenging at times), and on the other hand, I found Thomas’s gameplay more enjoyable. But by switching between the two characters at the right moments, it never became frustrating. In short: if you like short, linear single-player games with a good story and a healthy dose of sci-fi, then Aphelion is for you. If you don’t like that sort of thing, then steer well clear of Aphelion.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Aphelion could have been something truly special, because on one side, you have a beautiful, atmospheric world and a phenomenal, character-driven story that sinks its hooks into you. However, on the other side, you have clunky platforming, annoying checkpoints, and late-game stealth sequences that are guilty of outstaying their welcome. If you can look past the flaws and some of the more annoying moments when playing as Ariane, the narrative payoff and gorgeous cinematic presentation make Aphelion absolutely worth your time. Just be prepared for a few annoyances as you make your way to the end of the journey.
Aphelion has some excellent moments regarding the story, but is let down by consistently frustrating gameplay where you feel punished for no reason.