The creators of Life Is Strange, French studio Don't Nod, known for its narrative games, have officially announced a new project, a sci-fi action/adventure – Aphelion.
Aphelion is set in 2060, as Earth rapidly becomes uninhabitable. Faced with an ecological catastrophe, humanity places all its hopes on Persephone, a mysterious ninth planet that may be the last refuge for civilization. The European Space Agency (ESA) sends two astronauts, Ariane and Thomas, on a long journey to explore Persephone and assess its suitability for colonization.
After a crash landing, Aphelion's protagonist, Ariana, is left alone on an icy and unknown planet. Her main goal is to find and rescue Thomas, her colleague and teammate. Players will have to unravel the mysteries of Persephone, overcome obstacles, and confront the threats lurking in its silent expanses.
Aphelion was developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), and attempts to portray space exploration based on real scientific knowledge and humanistic values.
"For fifty years, the European Space Agency (ESA) has combined real-world space science with the boundless imagination of science fiction to solve our planet's biggest challenges. Aphelion embodies this spirit – where research meets creative vision – to inspire the next generation to carry Europe's space ambitions into the future," says Nadiya Lüders, ESA's Partnerships and Brand Licensing Officer.
ESA often meets with game developers and participates in the creation of space-themed projects, especially from European studios.
The game is scheduled for release in 2026 and will be available on Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game will be available on Game Pass from day one.