Hunted on a frozen planet, astronaut Ariane must brave rugged landscapes and shifting realities to rescue her wounded partner, Thomas. This action-packed sci-fi adventure blends exploration, traversal, and tense stealth gameplay.
Modeled estimate, not a reported figure. How we estimate →
Discounts
Every price cut of more than 20% we have observed, in each market that quoted one, with this game's chart position on either side of it. These are episodes, not a model: a sale is one event, and one event cannot tell you what the next one will do.
Reviews, worldwide (the counter carries no country): 0.29/day in the week to Sep 8 → 0.29/day in the week after.
About
By 2060, Earth will be uninhabitable. The discovery of a 9th planet – Persephone – at the edge of the solar system, is humanity's best hope. The European Space Agency is dispatching the Hope-01 scientific mission, consisting of 2 of their accomplished astronauts, Ariane and Thomas. Their mission: to survey the planet and determine whether humanity can prosper anew here.
Your adventure begins in chaos, as the crash landing of their ship scatters them across the planet, launching them on a desperate quest to find one another.
Aphelion is a cinematic third-person action-adventure set on the planet Persephone, an uncharted, frozen world. Stranded and isolated, you must survive the truly unknown, find each other, and complete the mission. Traverse stunning alien landscapes, avoid lurking threats, and discover the haunting secrets buried beneath the ice.
Explore the surreal beauty of Persephone, a vast frozen world shaped by deadly weather and ever-changing terrain.
Armed only with your explorational tools – pathfinder, oxygen tank, grappling hook, and more – you must face the unknown, traverse treacherous terrain, and gather clues about the strange, reality-bending phenomenon threatening your existence.
Ariane must persevere and push forward to save Thomas. Her Pathfinder tool helps her find the way through the shifting expanse. She faces desperate swings over dark chasms and tricky climbs up melting ice – risking her life with every step. Thomas, injured in the crash, must rely on ingenuity and observation, piecing together what surrounds him to survive. As both characters explore and investigate, they will uncover secrets and clues as to the planet’s strange conditions and what caused the crash of their ship.
You are not alone. There is a hostile lifeform stalking you. Avoid detection in tense, thrilling stealth sequences; use the environment to your advantage, and stay one step ahead of whatever hunts you. Explore Persephone and complete the mission, all while trying to survive in the terrifying presence of an unknown enemy.
Helpless on the edge of the solar system, the Hope-01 crew faces a brutal new world and the echoes of a complicated past. Ariane Montclair and Thomas Cross share a deep connection, a relationship left unresolved by the demands of their careers and their mission. Facing overwhelming odds, their fractured bond becomes a lifeline as they grasp in the dark for one another.
Key Features:
Grounded sci-fi exploration: a realistic depiction of near-future space exploration
Dual-perspective survival: experience both Thomas’s resourceful investigation and Ariane’s high stakes parkour gameplay
Cinematic third-person action: gripping traversal mechanics, with grappling, sliding, and momentum-driven movement
Tense stealth encounters: face an alien threat in tense and exciting stealth-based sequences
An emotional core: two astronauts bound by a complicated past, fighting to find each other
Sums Steam only; Xbox, PlayStation, GOG publish no volume signal, so the true total is higher by an unknown amount.
| Store | Price | Audience | Score | Chart | Est. revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SteamYou are here | $23.99−20% | 341reviews | 65% | — | $244.9K |
| $34.99 | 3.1Kratings | 58% | — | not modelled | |
Engagement
Reviews
Themes across 65 recent reviews and how positive each mention is. A keyword signal, not full sentiment analysis.
Reviews
Aphelion is exactly the kind of game I wish the industry would make more often. In a market saturated with endless live-service releases, multiplayer extraction shooter remakes of singleplayer games (MARATHON), and action games that mistake spectacle and/or tedium for substance, this is a confident, narrative-driven hard science fiction adventure that trusts its world, its characters, and its players. If you enjoyed games like The Invincible or the Deliver Us series, *Aphelion* deserves a place near the top of your wishlist. One of the first things that stood out to me was the game's exceptional accessibility. Whether you're here for the challenge of surviving an unforgiving alien environment or simply want to experience the story, there are enough options to tailor the experience to your preferences. It's refreshing to see accessibility treated as a way to invite more people into the experience rather than compromise the developer's vision. Developers should take note of this..game's dont need to be unforgiving to be good. especially story-driven games that feature parkour/climbing/platforming mechanics. The presentation is phenomenal thus far (only a few chapters in but i'm totally invested). The score, in particular, left a lasting impression. It evokes the same haunting, melancholic beauty that industrial musician turned soundtrack extraordinaire, Clint Mansell achieved in The Fountain—never intrusive, always enhancing the emotional weight of each moment. *chef's kiss* loved that. Combined with some genuinely outstanding voice acting, the result is a world that feels remarkably authentic. The performances avoid the exaggerated melodrama common in many games (or, more recently, the stilted voices of literal artificial intelligences...which are not quite "there" yet) and instead ground the story in believable human emotion. The protagonist is another highlight. It's genuinely refreshing to play as an Afro-French woman whose identity informs her character without becoming the entirety of it. She's intelligent, capable, vulnerable, and deeply human. The writing allows her personality to emerge naturally, making her one of the more memorable protagonists I've encountered in recent science fiction games. Visually, Aphelion is breathtaking - i can practically feel my breath condensing in my mouth as i play through these beautiful crafted world of ice and stone. The environments possess an almost photographic realism, capturing both the beauty and hostility of an alien frozen world. Every windswept cliff, frozen cavern, and icy landscape feels meticulously crafted. It's one of those games where you frequently stop moving simply to admire the scenery. Mechanically, the game strikes an excellent balance between accessibility and depth. The controls are intuitive and easy to learn, allowing the traversal systems to shine almost immediately. The climbing mechanics form the backbone of the experience, but what truly surprised me were the environmental interactions involving ice. Breaking through frozen surfaces and manipulating the environment in ways that feel physically believable creates gameplay unlike anything I've experienced before. Rather than feeling like isolated puzzles, these mechanics become a natural extension of exploring and surviving within the world. I was also pleasantly surprised by the even-handed execution of the romance subplot (quite a bold opening scene!). So many games either force romance into the narrative or reduce it to optional dialogue choices. Here, the relationship develops organically through shared experiences and believable interactions. It feels earned rather than manufactured, giving the emotional beats considerably more impact. What ultimately elevates Aphelion, however, is its commitment to hard science fiction. This isn't science fiction as an excuse for explosions or superhero powers. Instead, it explores isolation, survival, exploration, and humanity's place in an indifferent universe with a level of restraint that immediately reminded me of The Invincible and the Deliver Us Moon/Mars games. The difference is that Aphelion leans much more heavily into traversal and climbing as its primary gameplay pillar, creating an identity all its own.
Media
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Price dynamics, follower growth, revenue and sales trajectories with interactive tooltips
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Reviews, worldwide (the counter carries no country): 0.57/day in the week to Jul 26 → 0.29/day in the week after.
For scale, across Steam · Top Sellers · Brazil over the last 30 days: the 26 chart moves that followed a price cut of more than 20% went a median of 7 places towards #1, and the 2,400 moves with no price cut behind them went 2 away. One store, one chart, one country — it is the only place we have enough observations to say even that.
Prices outside the United States have been collected since 6 August 2026 and chart positions since 19 July 2026, so a cut older than that has no market to compare and a market that joined later has no history yet. Nothing here is converted between currencies.
Genres
Stats
All-time low is the lowest price we've recorded for this game since we started tracking it.
Languages: English*, French, Italian, German, Spanish - Spain, Portuguese - Brazil, Simplified Chinese, Polish, Russian*languages with full audio support
| $34.99 |
| 501ratings |
| 75% |
| — |
| not modelled |
| $29.99 | 7ratings | 62% | — | not modelled |
Matched by title — a reused name can pair the wrong games. * is a critic aggregate. Prices and positions are each store's United States storefront; Epic charts worldwide. Audience and Score too, except Steam's, which is worldwide.
Hours played at review time, across 65 reviews with recorded playtime.
positive critical· bar length = how often the theme comes up
As one of the most immersive linear games I've seen, Aphelion is an acquired taste-a niche body of art with a possibly unmatched, cinematic story. Ariane's modest appearance radiates with a beauty complimentary to the world she's braving. There were times where I would look at things like her skin texture, the shape of her head, and even the shade of her teeth and say, "Wow this is really a beautiful lady-these graphics are incredible." Gameplay wise, the game is standard so far. There's nothing really to complain about. I did think the faithful slip save mechanic was overdone. Still, I imagine that if we were climbing icy ledges, we would slip as much too and not make it lol. Overall, the game achieves it's mission. It is a game about astronauts stranded on an unwelcoming planet. Everything we play encompasses that without combat. Aphelion emulates that feel of struggle very well here. DontNod is one of the bravest and most creative companies today. I am glad this game exists.
Gran ejemplo de calidad/precio. El juego te engancha desde el primer momento, la historia y los escenarios son de ensueño. Es una aventura lineal, ideal para los que no nos gusta los mundos abiertos. Un poco monótona en los últimos escenarios y del final se esperaba más, pero vale la pena en todos los aspectos. Un "must" si te gusta la aventura y la temática del espacio.
Ця гра - спрощений симулятор скелелазіння. Особисто мені у проєкті багато чого не вистачає. Проте, враховуючи ціну гри, буде нечесно нарікати на розробників. У цілому за рахунок непоганого сюжету гра мені сподобалася, тому можу її порадити, але без завишених очікувань.
[h3]Review by [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/33369540-Abrix]Abrix Gaming[/url] – 4K quality gameplay reviews and recommendations.[/h3] [b][url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1ZOvQERjGtRkl7ImTcDzdw?sub_confirmation=1]Subscribe To My Youtube[/url][/b] [b][url=https://discord.gg/uM94ehT7hv]Join My Discord[/url][/b] [h1]Aphelion – A Beautiful, Emotional, and Wonderfully Immersive Journey Beyond the Stars[/h1] [quote]You can check my gameplay videos of this game [b][url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxvWbrDkSJsAWDpoogiwcTe9wKn4Njz5U]here[/url][/b][/quote] [h3]A New Frontier for Narrative Adventure Games[/h3] [i]Aphelion[/i] immediately establishes itself as more than just another science-fiction adventure. It blends cinematic storytelling, breathtaking exploration, and deeply human emotions into an experience that feels both intimate and awe-inspiring. Rather than focusing solely on surviving an alien world, the game tells a story about hope, resilience, companionship, and humanity's relentless desire to explore the unknown. From the opening moments, the sense of scale is incredible. Every step across the mysterious planet reminds you that you're venturing into territory no one has explored before, creating a constant feeling of curiosity and discovery. [h3]A Stunning Alien World Worth Exploring[/h3] One of the game's greatest achievements is its world design. Every environment is crafted with remarkable attention to detail, combining frozen landscapes, towering mountains, strange geological formations, mysterious alien phenomena, and breathtaking vistas that constantly encourage exploration. The planet feels both beautiful and hostile. It is a place filled with wonder, but one that never lets you forget the dangers hidden beneath its surface. On PC, the visual presentation is outstanding. High-resolution textures, dynamic lighting, detailed environmental effects, and cinematic draw distances create an experience that feels incredibly immersive from beginning to end. [h3]An Emotional Story Driven by Human Connection[/h3] What truly separates [i]Aphelion[/i] from many other science-fiction adventures is its emotional core. Rather than allowing the vast alien setting to overshadow its characters, the game places human relationships at the center of the narrative. The story explores trust, sacrifice, determination, and survival in a way that feels sincere and relatable. The interactions between the protagonists carry genuine emotional weight, making every challenge feel meaningful and every victory feel earned. It is a science-fiction story that never forgets the humanity behind the spacesuits. [h3]Immersive Exploration and Survival[/h3] Gameplay focuses on exploration, traversal, environmental puzzles, and survival while maintaining a steady narrative pace. Every area rewards curiosity. Hidden paths, environmental storytelling, and optional discoveries encourage players to slow down and fully appreciate the world around them rather than simply rushing toward objectives. Traversal feels fluid and satisfying, while environmental hazards constantly keep exploration engaging without becoming frustrating. The result is an adventure that remains rewarding from beginning to end. [h3]A Cinematic Presentation That Rivals Modern Films[/h3] The presentation is nothing short of spectacular. Facial animations, character performances, environmental detail, and cinematic direction all work together to create an experience that often feels like an interactive science-fiction film. Lighting deserves particular praise. Whether watching distant stars illuminate icy landscapes or witnessing breathtaking celestial events, nearly every scene feels worthy of being captured as a screenshot. Few games communicate loneliness and beauty as effectively as [i]Aphelion[/i]. [h3]Exceptional Audio Design and Musical Score[/h3] The soundtrack perfectly complements the game's emotional tone. Gentle orchestral compositions, atmospheric ambient music, and subtle environmental sounds create an immersive soundscape that constantly reinforces both the beauty and isolation of the journey. The sound design never overwhelms the experience. Instead, it quietly enhances every emotional moment, every discovery, and every step across the unknown world. Together, the visuals and music create an unforgettable atmosphere. [h3]A Perfect Balance Between Wonder and Survival[/h3] One of the most impressive aspects of [i]Aphelion[/i] is how naturally it balances beauty with danger. The alien planet constantly inspires curiosity while reminding players that survival is never guaranteed. Every new discovery carries excitement, but also uncertainty. That balance keeps exploration engaging throughout the entire adventure and ensures that every new location feels meaningful. [h3]Why It Stands Out[/h3] [i]Aphelion[/i] succeeds because it understands that the best science-fiction stories are ultimately about people. Its emotional storytelling, beautiful environments, cinematic presentation, and immersive exploration combine to create an experience that feels thoughtful rather than overwhelming. Instead of relying solely on action or spectacle, it allows atmosphere, discovery, and character relationships to drive the journey. That confidence gives the game its own unique identity. [h3]Final Verdict[/h3] [i]Aphelion[/i] is a breathtaking science-fiction adventure that combines emotional storytelling, spectacular world-building, immersive exploration, and exceptional audiovisual presentation into one unforgettable experience. A must-play for fans of narrative-driven adventures, cinematic exploration games, and emotionally rich science fiction — [i]Aphelion[/i] is beautiful, thought-provoking, and an extraordinary journey into the unknown that lingers long after the credits roll.
Jeu spatial tout juste correct avec énormément de walking simulator. Les phases d'escalade sont moyennes comme les phases de discrétion avec le nemesis.
nice game such a pity that it is a bit too much tunneling it would have been aswesome with more freedom
Actually it was a quite pleasant game. A few small bugs, but overall really interesting story and sometimes challenging game play. Which is maybe repeating through episodes, but for sure not easy. But I loved playing this one.
отлично, но можно было бы и подешевле на 30% и ещё, мужику щетину и волосы добавили, а бабу не смогли сделать хотя бы приятно на вид.. волос на неё не хватило?ну хотя бы карешку(((
Definitely not DONTNOD's best, janky, weird bugs, felt like a 2nd chapter of an unfinished project. Had its moment, loved it's world and atmosphere, but I would've settled for a walking sim/light FPS instead of a slightly irritating space tomb raider mechanics. Since I'm a bonafide LiS lover I wanna say I'd trust DONTNOD in story telling, but that's about it, a solid 5.5 for me. Uppies cause love devs
Players by region
Where this game's players are, estimated from review languages.
Players also reviewed
The games this title's players most often review too — audience affinity.
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