Aphelion Review – Keeping Hope Alive

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One of the best parts of a video game is when the world itself feels like a character, and Aphelion does this exceptionally well. It creates a feeling of solitude as you travel through its large landscapes, but you’re never truly alone. The game’s icy environments are beautifully rendered, with sunlight and reflections adding welcome splashes of color.

Does this game offer enough to make it truly worthwhile? It’s a bit of both. The story is complex and captivating, which is a huge plus. However, the gameplay can become somewhat repetitive after you’ve had time to appreciate the stunning visuals and vastness of Persephone, the planet you explore as either scientist Ariane Montclair or engineer Thomas Cross.

Two astronauts are exploring Persephone, a planet they hope can become a new home for humanity. Earth is no longer habitable, and they believe they’re the last chance for survival. Their mission is to find something called ‘The Source’ – a mysterious entity on Persephone that could hold the key to determining if the planet can support life.

So, naturally, things went south fast. Our ship crashed on this planet, Persephone, and Ariane and I got separated. I was lucky and walked away okay, but Thomas got seriously hurt. Now we’re both trying to find each other and race towards this place called The Source, hoping to get off this rock.

So, that’s the basic idea of the game, but how does it become a story that’s both touching and full of mystery? A lot of it comes down to the detailed backgrounds of the characters – their unique personalities and what they each want often cause conflict, especially before their journey to Persephone is unexpectedly cut short.

After they split up, Persephone feels like an unwanted presence, hindering Ariadne and Thomas’s efforts to reconnect. Ariadne adapts to the situation easily, but Thomas is injured trying to escape the damaged ship in an escape pod, and has to recover while searching for Ariadne to reunite with her.

When you play as either character, it often makes you think longingly about their traveling companion, as their journey is generally quite solitary.

Each astronaut has a Pathfinder device to locate important areas on Persephone, and a grappling hook to help them navigate difficult landscapes. An EM wave emitter assists with both of these tasks, and Ariane finds it particularly useful when she learns The Source is powered by electromagnetic waves.

When you play as either character, you often find yourself thinking about their companion, highlighting the loneliness of their journey. This is where Perspehone excels – it’s beautiful, but also feels isolated, with a sense of mystery that feels ever-present, like something unseen is always nearby.

Persephone is a breathtakingly beautiful planet, but it’s defined by a heavy, almost tangible silence. The stunning visuals perfectly capture the planet’s vastness and harsh environment.

The setting of Persephone beautifully complements Ariane and Thomas’s thoughtful moments as they consider their relationship and the weight of their task. The game subtly reveals pieces of backstory – which we won’t spoil – that create a powerful sense of desperation mixed with the hope for a brighter future for humanity. This blend of emotions is a strong reason to keep playing, no matter which character you control.

The graphics are excellent and effectively convey the vastness and harsh environment of Persephone.

What really makes Aphelion special is how it portrays Ariane and Thomas. It beautifully layers their strengths – Ariane’s drive and Thomas’s optimism – with their hidden vulnerabilities, and does so in a way that feels incredibly natural and makes the story truly stand out. It’s a shame, though, that the actual gameplay isn’t quite as captivating.

Exploring the world of Persephone is initially impressive, but it quickly becomes repetitive. While the game features beautiful landscapes and grand moments, these don’t connect to compelling gameplay systems, which means uncovering its secrets isn’t as captivating as it could be.

Playing as Ariane, you’ll explore interesting locations by climbing, jumping, and swinging your way around. While you journey across Persephone, a mysterious figure named Nemesis will pursue you. However, Nemesis isn’t a very difficult opponent, as the game’s AI isn’t very advanced.

Playing as Thomas means you’ll be exploring on foot, as an injury prevents him from climbing like Ariane. To make things worse, his oxygen tank is damaged, forcing you to carefully plan routes between refill stations – which adds a welcome sense of pressure. The game effectively differentiates between Thomas and Ariane’s storylines, and the narrative unfolds naturally and is well-crafted.

The game’s music is fantastic – a real standout for me. Beyond the soundtrack, the immersive sound design is incredible. The developers suggest using a headset, and I wholeheartedly agree. Hearing the cold, lonely winds as you explore Persephone really draws you in, especially knowing you carry the fate of humanity on your shoulders.

The developer suggests using a headset with this game, and it really pulls you in – you’ll feel the cold, lonely winds as you journey across Persephone, carrying the fate of humanity on your shoulders.

The game runs smoothly with impressive graphics, particularly noticeable in details like reflections on Ariane’s suit and icy environments. Weather effects create a realistic and immersive atmosphere, and the lack of frequent loading screens keeps you fully engaged in the experience.

Aphelion focuses heavily on storytelling, and its gameplay often feels like a bridge between long, detailed cutscenes. While this approach could be a weakness in other games, Aphelion is so thoughtfully crafted that it made me consider how I would react in the same circumstances. It’s a game that encourages you to think and presents its sadness in a way that feels genuinely relatable, making you eager to discover what happens next.

Aphelion is a great choice if you’re looking for a relaxing and enjoyable story. However, it’s not very challenging, and players who want more difficulty or complex gameplay might be disappointed. While adding difficulty settings probably wouldn’t fix this, it’s good that the game includes options to make it even easier for those who prefer a simpler experience.

If you enjoy science fiction adventures, you’ll likely love this game. However, it doesn’t offer a complex or lengthy gameplay experience. Despite that, it’s worth considering, especially when on sale, just to enjoy the story and beautiful graphics.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

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2026-05-05 22:12