Don’t Nod’s new sci-fi game, Aphelion, is already making waves – but it might be telling a way more personal story than people expected.
Yeah, on the surface it is about surviving on a frozen alien planet. And sure, the European Space Agency is involved (which is wild on its own). But if you watch the trailer closely, and catch the names that pop up, there is something quieter going on underneath it all. A story about reconnection… and maybe even romance?
Ariane and Thomas: A Reunion in Space?
The trailer shows astronaut Ariane Montclair crash-landing alone on the icy planet Persephone. But she was not supposed to be alone. Another name throughout the trailer: Thomas Cross.
The mission? Hope 01.
The tone? Heavy. Personal. Kinda heartbreaking.
There is no flashy combat, no squads with guns… just a lone survivor exploring ruins, following signals, and trying to piece things together. Classic Don’t Nod emotional storytelling vibes.
But the real question is: Who is Thomas to her? Teammate? Friend? Something more? It feels like the whole setup is about finding someone, and what that person meant to you before everything went wrong.
Don’t Nod’s Legacy of Emotional Storytelling
If you have played Life is Strange, Tell Me Why, or even Jusant, you know Don’t Nod loves weaving emotional journeys into their gameplay.
Aphelion looks like a change to sci-fi and survival, but that does not mean the studio is leaving relationships behind. If anything, this setup – two people separated by unknown forces on a dying planet – might be their most ambitious emotional arc yet.
Romance or Isolation? Either Way, It Is Deeply Personal
Even if Aphelion avoids a direct romance plot, the narrative is clearly centered around emotional resilience and personal connection.
On top of that, the ESA partnership suggests realism. But Don’t Nod’s style suggests introspection, maybe even flashbacks or memory-driven gameplay. We might not just be exploring Persephone; we might be exploring what it means to care, even across space. ♥
Platforms, Release, and More
- Release: 2026
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S (including Game Pass day one)
- Developer & Publisher: Don’t Nod
- Setting: Planet Persephone – a dying Earth, a crashed mission, and a story set in the stars
Want to see the trailer yourself? You can watch it here:
For more news on Aphelion and other games, check out our main gaming news hub.
