- Publisher: DONTNOD Entertainment
- Release Date: Apr 28, 2026
- Also On: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X
- Critic score
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- By date
- Unscored
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Apr 28, 2026Aphelion is an adventure that shines far brighter for what it tells and how it presents itself than for what it asks you to do with the controller. Don't Nod has crafted a fascinating setting in Persephone, a survival story driven by human relationships that hooks you in, and an atmosphere that grabs you through its soundtrack and visual design. But the mechanics that support that experience, the constant climbing and the stealth segments with the Nemesis, fail to evolve enough and end up becoming the weak link in an otherwise very solid chain.
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Apr 28, 2026Aphelion is a thoroughly enjoyable sci-fi adventure of loss, desperation, survival, and importantly, hope. Despite a few very late-game wobbles, this is one mission for humanity you should undertake.
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Apr 28, 2026Aphelion is a cinematic masterclass in storytelling. From the very beginning, you can tell that every moment of the game will be important. While it can't seem to keep up that same sort of engagement in the moment-to-moment gameplay, it works well enough to keep driving you forward. A short and enticing space-age mystery thriller that can satisfy from a story standpoint, but leaves a little to be desired in terms of gameplay.
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May 19, 2026Aphelion is exactly the kind of game that hardly needed to be a game at all. It is a narrative experience that does not rely on great depth or hidden symbolism because its strength lies in strong writing, direction, and excellent sound design. The story follows a simple premise centered on the humanity of two people stranded on an alien planet and their journey toward both their mission and each other. It is only unfortunate that the compelling story is not accompanied by more engaging gameplay.
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May 18, 2026Aphelion is a heartfelt, visually striking sci-fi adventure built around Ariane and Thomas’ fractured relationship and the hostile beauty of Persephone. Its stealth and survival mechanics are accessible rather than demanding, and some dialogue overexplains key emotions, but the atmosphere, performances, and character-driven story make it an easy recommendation for players who value narrative over mechanical depth.
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Apr 28, 2026Aphelion 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.
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May 5, 2026Aphelion is a deep, personal space story that trades action for a great mystery. A quiet and atmospheric adventure held back by its simple mechanics.