About Aphelion
Aphelion is a cinematic sci-fi action-adventure game from DON'T NOD, the studio behind Life is Strange, Vampyr, and Jusant. Set in the 2060s, the game imagines a near future where Earth is becoming uninhabitable. The European Space Agency dispatches two astronauts, Ariane Montclair and Thomas Cross, on the Hope-01 mission to survey an uncharted ninth planet called Persephone. Their goal is to determine whether humanity can start over on this frozen, distant world.
Things go wrong immediately. A catastrophic crash landing scatters the crew across Persephone's surface, and your adventure begins in the chaos that follows. As Ariane and Thomas, you explore a hauntingly beautiful alien landscape, navigate treacherous terrain, and piece together the mystery of what caused the crash. All while something hostile watches from the shadows.
Built in Unreal Engine 5, Aphelion delivers a grounded take on science fiction. Rather than laser guns and space marines, the game leans into realistic depictions of near-future space exploration, using tools like pathfinders, grappling hooks, and oxygen tanks instead of weapons. The collaboration with the European Space Agency lends the setting an authenticity that sets it apart from more fantastical sci-fi titles.
The game features a dual-perspective structure. Ariane's sections lean into traversal and parkour-style movement, with momentum-driven grappling, sliding, and climbing sequences across the frozen terrain. Thomas, injured from the crash, relies more on observation, investigation, and environmental puzzle-solving. Switching between their perspectives keeps the pacing varied and lets you experience Persephone from two very different angles.
Why Should I Play Aphelion?
If you enjoy narrative-driven sci-fi games that prioritize atmosphere and exploration over combat, Aphelion is worth your attention. DON'T NOD has built a reputation for strong storytelling, and that expertise carries over here. The relationship between Ariane and Thomas forms the emotional backbone of the experience, and the writing handles their complicated history with care. You are not just surviving on an alien planet; you are working through the unresolved tension between two people who need each other but have left too much unsaid.
The setting is one of Aphelion's strongest draws. Persephone is a frozen world full of surreal beauty, shifting terrain, and deadly weather patterns. Exploration rewards curiosity, and the planet itself feels like a character in the story. You will encounter reality-bending phenomena and buried secrets that gradually reframe your understanding of what is happening.
Stealth sequences add tension without turning the game into an action shooter. A hostile alien lifeform stalks you across the planet, and your only option is to hide, use the environment, and stay a step ahead. These encounters are designed to be tense and exciting rather than punishing, and they break up the exploration and traversal sections effectively.
The cinematic presentation is strong throughout. A score by Amine Bouhafa, a Cesar award-winning film composer, elevates the atmosphere, and the visual design of Persephone benefits from the Unreal Engine 5 foundation. For anyone who values a well-told story in a striking science fiction setting, Aphelion delivers a focused, atmospheric experience that you can complete in roughly seven to eight hours.
Is Aphelion Free-to-play?
No, Aphelion is not free-to-play. It is a premium single-player game available as a one-time purchase. There are no microtransactions or ongoing costs after buying the game. The Standard Edition is the base game, while the Deluxe Edition includes cosmetic items, a digital artbook, and the soundtrack. A physical Pioneer Edition for PlayStation 5 includes additional collectible items created in collaboration with the ESA.
Aphelion is also available through Xbox Game Pass, so subscribers on that platform can download and play it at no extra cost as part of their membership.
Where Can I Download Aphelion?
You can download Aphelion on PC through Steam or the Microsoft Store. On console, it is available digitally for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S through their respective storefronts. Last-generation consoles are not supported, and no Nintendo Switch version has been announced.
System requirements on PC call for a reasonably modern setup. A mid-range gaming PC with a dedicated GPU should handle the game well, though Unreal Engine 5 titles generally benefit from faster SSDs and more VRAM. Console performance is optimized for the current-generation hardware on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
What Games Should I Play If I Enjoy Aphelion?
Starfield is Bethesda's open-world space RPG set across multiple star systems. Where Aphelion tells a focused, linear story on a single planet, Starfield offers a massive sandbox with hundreds of planets to explore, faction questlines, ship customization, and deep RPG progression. The tone is different, but if the idea of exploring uncharted worlds and engaging with science fiction lore appeals to you, Starfield expands that concept into a much larger scope. It is available on PC and Xbox Series X/S.
PRAGMATA is a Capcom sci-fi action-adventure that takes place on Earth, the Moon, and beyond. Like Aphelion, it features a pair of protagonists navigating a mysterious, visually striking environment. Details on gameplay specifics are still limited, but the cinematic trailers suggest a focus on narrative and spectacle. If you are drawn to atmospheric sci-fi with a strong visual identity, PRAGMATA is one to watch. It is expected on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Star Wars Outlaws is Ubisoft's open-world action-adventure set in the Star Wars universe. You play as Kay Vess, an outlaw navigating the criminal underworld between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. While the setting is far removed from Aphelion's grounded realism, the game shares a focus on exploration, stealth, and narrative across alien landscapes. If you enjoyed the traversal and environmental storytelling in Aphelion but want a more action-oriented experience in a familiar universe, Star Wars Outlaws is a strong pick. It is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
