Following its world premiere at the Convergence Games Showcase 2026, acclaimed developer DON’T NOD (Creators of Life is Strange and Jusant) is proud to reveal the first official gameplay trailer for Aphelion. Coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in Spring 2026, Aphelion is a grounded, high-stakes sci-fi adventure that challenges players to survive on the frozen edge of the known universe.
Survive the Silence of Persephone
Set in the year 2060, Aphelion follows European Space Agency (ESA) astronauts Ariane Montclair and Thomas Cross. After their vessel crash-lands on the uncharted ice planet Persephone—humanity’s final hope for a home—the pair is separated. Players must bridge the gap between them, navigating a world that is as breathtakingly beautiful as it is lethal.
Key Gameplay Features Highlighted in the Trailer:
- Tactile Traversal: Experience a “manual-grab” climbing system that demands precision and timing. Every leap over an icy ravine or ascent up a crumbling glacier carries the weight of life and death.
- A Dual-Path Journey: Seamlessly switch between Ariane’s high-octane physical navigation and Thomas’s methodical, puzzle-driven ingenuity.
- The “Nemesis” Threat: The trailer introduces the Nemesis—an invincible, ink-black predator native to Persephone. With no means of combat, players must master a tense “Hide to Survive” stealth system, using the environment to evade a hunter that cannot be killed.
- Scientific Authenticity: Developed in close consultation with the European Space Agency (ESA), Aphelion offers a realistic depiction of near-future space technology and the physical toll of extraplanetary exploration.
“With Aphelion, we wanted to capture the duality of space: the awe-inspiring wonder of discovery and the primal fear of the unknown,” said the Creative Director at DON’T NOD. “By grounding the experience in scientific realism and emotional storytelling, we’re inviting players to feel every breath and every step taken on Persephone.”
Launch Details
Aphelion is slated for release in Spring 2026. The title will be available Day One for subscribers on Xbox Game Pass and will support Xbox Play Anywhere. Physical and digital pre-orders will be available soon via the Official DON’T NOD Website.
About DON’T NOD
DON’T NOD is an independent French publisher and developer based in Paris and Montreal. They are celebrated for creating narrative-driven experiences that resonate with a global audience, including the BAFTA-winning Life is Strange and the critically acclaimed Jusant.