[Hands-On Preview] Aphelion – It Has Us Both Excited and Worried

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Two weeks ago, we had the chance to attend a special preview event for Aphelion, the upcoming sci-fi action adventure from DON’T NOD. Executive producer Dimitri Weideli and creative director Florent Guillaume walked us through the game, showed new gameplay, and talked about the story and the ideas behind it. Afterwards, we got our own hands on the game.

From the first moment on the frozen planet Persephone, I could see that Aphelion wants to be a big cinematic experience. The world is covered in ice, the sky feels endless, and there is a strong sense of isolation. We played two different chapters. The first focused on platforming and survival as astronaut Ariane Montclair fights to stay alive. The second was slower and more tense, built around stealth and an alien creature hunting us in the dark.

First chapter introduces you to platforming and cinematic scenes

The first chapter takes place on the damaged Hope-01 ship. It is breaking apart, and Ariane is trying to escape and find Thomas. Right away, the game throws you into fast platforming sections. The ship shakes, metal breaks around you, and every jump feels risky. I liked how the jumps are not automatic. You need to press the left mouse button at the right moment to land safely. If you fail, Ariane almost falls, and you must quickly press a certain button to hold on. They are simple mechanics, but they create stress in a good way.

As you move through the ship, there are small events that keep the pace high. You dodge flying debris, climb unstable ladders, and use a grappling hook to cross large gaps. Then, just when you start to relax, the game cuts to a dramatic scene. A fall. A scream. A close-up of fear in Ariane’s eyes. I have to admit, these moments are strong. The mix of gameplay and cutscenes works well, and it pulls you into the chaos.

That said, once the first excitement passed, I started to see the limits. The platforming feels solid, but not new. It works, and it feels polished, but it does not surprise you. The team worked with the European Space Agency, and you can see that in the details. The suits, the tools, and the harsh weather feel believable. Still, under the cinematic style, the gameplay sometimes feels familiar. There were also a few small technical issues during my session. I noticed some animation glitches and a few FPS drops. Nothing terrible, but enough to break the immersion for a moment.

Second chapter is focused on the alien creature

I also struggled a bit with Ariane as a character. She clearly carries the emotional side of the story, but during this preview, I did not fully connect with her. She felt more like someone I was watching than someone I truly understood. Maybe that will change in the full game, but for now, some distance remains.

The second chapter was very different. This time, we explored the icy surface while being hunted by an alien creature hiding under the ice. The monster is blind but reacts to sound. This creates real tension where every step matters. Move too fast, and you risk being heard. I enjoyed this part more than I expected. The fear of making noise made even simple movement feel dangerous.

There is also a magnetic field mechanic that lets you move objects in the world to solve puzzles and open new paths. It is not too complex, but it adds variety. A radar system helps guide you, so you rarely feel lost. The game gives you space to explore, but it does not leave you confused. Visually, this chapter was beautiful. The ice fields look cold and sharp, and the scale of the world is impressive.

Aphelion clearly has heart, but is it enough to succeed?

After playing both chapters, I feel both excited and cautious. Aphelion clearly has heart. The world is well built, the presentation is strong, and there is real passion behind it. At the same time, I worry that it may rely too much on cinematic moments and not enough on new gameplay ideas.

If the rest of the game can push its mechanics further and deepen the characters, it could become something special. If not, it may end up as a beautiful but familiar adventure. For now, I am curious. Aphelion has my attention. The question is whether it can truly stand out when it finally launches.