Aphelion

DON'T NOD delivers a linear, narrative-driven space adventure focused on the connection between its two protagonists. While it shows excellent direction and great characterization, it stumbles on a basic level design, repetitive gameplay, and an underdeveloped story plot. A flawed yet very fascinating interstellar journey.

Aphelion succeeds by betting on an interesting theme and a relatively realistic approach to space exploration. The combination of science fiction, human drama, and mystery works well enough to keep the player curious for much of the campaign. However, the game suffers from linearity issues, some repetitive moments, and a lack of technical refinement that prevents the project from reaching its full potential.

Aphelion is an enjoyable journey across a hostile alien planet that’s a little too light on human drama, but nonetheless emerges as an engaging sci-fi adventure while it lasts.

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.

Still, Aphelion is simultaneously riveting and isolating outside of these weak spots. The pacing is sublime; the game only takes about eight to 10 hours to complete, and each chapter doesn’t overstay its welcome. Ariane and Thomas demonstrate that even when people are physically apart, absence only makes the heart grow fonder.

Aphelion is a game that works better as a narrative experience than as a video game in its own right. DON’T NOD once again demonstrates its talent for storytelling. However, the lack of challenge, its short length, and some unpolished gameplay mechanics prevent it from reaching greater heights.

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 isn't a disaster and can even be enjoyable, but it fails to be a memorable space odyssey. While its premise and script keep the game afloat, the repetitive and simplistic gameplay mechanics and unstable technical performance constantly hinder the adventure's progression.

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.

Aphelion appears to have fallen victim to the financial difficulties DON'T NOD faced. Despite a solid foundation, the developers failed to polish either the story or the gameplay. What we've got is a run-of-the-mill adventure that pales in comparison to Banishers and Jusant, the primary sources for its ideas.