Aphelion Review – Isolation, Intimacy, and the Infinite

Aphelion Review

Although Don’t Nod rose to fame with the Life is Strange series, they have quietly built a catalogue of diverse titles that not only boast their storytelling skill but also showcase their ability to deliver gameplay-rich experiences. Aphelion aims to be the culmination of that history, combining cinematic gameplay with a personal story set in outer space. Will these varying aspects merge, drawing from their prior releases to create a defining adventure that elevates their legacy, or will these ideas clash, resulting in an experience that falls short of the very strengths that built it?

With Earth on the verge of becoming uninhabitable, humanity places its hopes in the European Space Agency to find a world capable of supporting human life. After discovering Persephone at the edge of the solar system, mission control sends astronauts to conduct tests and determine whether it could become humanity’s new home. Aboard the ship are Ariane and Thomas, a couple who are separated when their spacecraft unexpectedly crashes, scattering them across an alien planet. Not only is your objective to learn more about Persephone, but you must also survive its hostile climate and reunite with your partner.

Across the Cosmos

The tale methodically unfolds from both perspectives, allowing you to learn about the world and events alongside the characters. The protagonists are at the heart of the adventure. Even in the vastness of space, their bond feels close to home. Monologues and audio logs add authenticity to their struggles and further cement the impact of isolation. After learning that Thomas was injured in the crash, Ariane shifts her focus, adding urgency as she strives to find your partner and complete the mission. These elements combine to create a wonderful story which balances cosmic scale with intimate emotion.

Chapters shift from one character to another, with gameplay differing depending on the protagonist. Ariane takes the majority of the campaign with Thomas’s segments interspersed throughout. With Ariane, you must climb the dangerous, icy landscape to reach your destination. This involves Uncharted-style scaling as you scour for ledges and cling for your life, leaping from one to another. While not as smooth as its influence, it still captures that same sense of spectacle, keeping each climb engaging. A nice addition to this conventional system is the grip feature. When jumping to a ridge, you must press a button to grab; otherwise, you’ll slip, prompting a QTE. Pressing the correct button will allow you to regain your composure, whereas failure will result in falling to your death.

You also have a grappling hook to help you tackle the treacherous terrain. With this, you can swing across large gaps, rappel down cliff faces and more. Magnetic anomalies add an element of puzzle-solving to scenarios, as you must trace a path to a location to open an area. While the climbing mechanics are relatively simple, the developers design each ascent well, providing enjoyable traversal without overcomplicating the challenge.

Surviving Space

As Thomas is injured, his sections differ. Your suit is damaged and due to this, you must manage your oxygen levels, plugging into charging points as you explore the environment. These sections slow the pace, allowing you to soak in the lore and feel the weight of isolation as you carefully navigate each step forward. The contrast adds to the experience, creating a distinct gameplay duality that keeps each perspective feeling fresh.

Amidst the oppressive isolation, an unknown entity emerges. Referred to as the Nemesis, the alien plagues your every step, creating moments of panic that keep you on edge. With no weapons, you must stealth your way through areas in order to avoid the beast. Although the stealth mechanics are basic, the design of these segments delivers tense encounters that amplify the ever-present sense of dread.

The overall presentation is brilliant with high-quality facial animations that capture the nuances of each emotion to help audiences connect with their personal stories. This extends to the stunning environments featuring otherworldly landscapes that hold both beauty and mystery. The audio design elevates the cinematic presentation, maintaining a haunting atmosphere that underscores both the wonder and unease of the journey.

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.

***PlayStation 5 code provided by the publisher for review***