Roundup: Here’s What The Reviews Are Saying About ‘Aphelion’ On Xbox Game Pass

Sci-fi adventure Aphelion is rolling out now on Xbox Game Pass as the next game from Life is Strange maker DON’T NOD Entertainment – and that means early reviews for the title are now hitting the web too.

We’re going to gather some of these up down below for you to take a look at, then, so you can get a better idea of what to expect from Microsoft’s latest addition to Xbox Game Pass!

Without further ado:

Entertainment Worth Playing (8.5/10)

“Aphelion does well in both providing a good story with emotional pull, while also providing an experience that differs from the studio’s previous works. The investigative portions may feel light, but they also provide a nice break from the stealth and climbing sections. The investigation, stealth, and climbing make the game feel more involved than what some may expect for a genre that can border on being walking simulators or Western versions of the visual novel. The presentation is great, and the runtime feels just right, making Aphelion an experience that’s well worth checking out.”

Entertainment COGConnected (8/10)

“Aphelion is a cinematic adventure that tells a dramatic tale about two astronauts’ passion and commitment to one another and the mission. Although its gameplay is conventional and follows in the footsteps of its inspirations, the design amplifies the sense of isolation, heightening the tension of each moment. A touching and grounded story, the game leaves a lasting impression, proving that even among the stars, it’s the human connection that resonates most.”

Entertainment Tech Raptor (7/10)

“Aphelion is a solid science fiction adventure with a large focus on emotional connection and narrative. Despite some tedious controls and obvious bugs, the journey is worth staying to the very end.”

Entertainment PlayStation Universe (6.5/10)

“Aphelion is very much a compelling, though mechanically nuts and bolts narrative adventure that embraces linearity and spectacle above all else. Though its embedded dynamic of interpersonal relationships is engaging, the technical flaws, occasional clunkiness and aged-like-milk stealth sections sadly do much to undercut its otherwise impressive qualities.”

Entertainment Checkpoint Gaming (5.5/10)

“After an initially positive impression, Aphelion fails to achieve liftoff. Shallow and outdated climbing mechanics, coupled with an abundance of boring stealth sections, make the narrative the only hope for this mission. However, with a lack of compelling characters or performances, the gravity of two unlikeable leads proves too strong for Aphelion. Despite strong visuals, instead of reaching for the stars, this sci-fi journey ends up falling back to Earth.”

Entertainment GameReactor (5/10)

“What we ultimately have here, what you’re being asked to invest in, is the cover band version of Ad Astra. It’s a gaming experience that feels as though it’s been held together with duct tape, and only in fleeting moments does the narrative emerge that made me forget these otherwise obvious shortcomings. It’s a shame, and I take no pleasure in sending a talented studio back to the drawing board, but I cannot recommend Aphelion, not even to those who pick it up “for free” via Game Pass. It simply isn’t worth your time.”

Entertainment GamesRadar (2/5)

“Coming from Don’t Nod, it’s a shame that both Aphelion’s storytelling and climbing mechanics feels so lackluster, with Uncharted-like sci-fi action failing to make much of an impact at all. Some gorgeous alien vistas and a decent premise fail to interest for long when simply controlling characters feels clunky and uninteresting.”

At the time of writing, Aphelion has a Metacritic score of 63 and an OpenCritic rating of 66 – it’s fair to say a mixed reception so far, then. If you fancy giving it a try for yourself, Aphelion is now live for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate players.

Are you going to give this one a go for yourself? Talk to us about Don’t Nod’s Aphelion down below.