With DON’T NOD’s latest outing, Aphelion, well on its way to release, we had a chance to sit and chat with the game’s developers following a brief hands-on play session. Speaking with us today is creative director Florent Guillaume, who gives us some insight on what Aphelion is about and how it uses the sci-fi genre to the strengths of its dual protagonists.
When approaching a game like Aphelion, which features a science-fiction space setting, we can’t help but be curious as to the why. What sort of design philosophy did the team subscribe to while making the game? And what sparked that particular interest in space and action?
“After working on Tell Me Why, which was grounded in a very contemporary setting, we felt the desire to explore new horizons, both narratively and in terms of gameplay,” said Guillaume.
“As science fiction fans, our team was eager to craft an epic sci-fi adventure while staying true to DON’T NOD’s core identity: character-driven storytelling centered around intimate human relationships.
“With Aphelion, our philosophy was to merge large-scale, spectacular science fiction with deeply personal drama. We wanted to place players in a near-future anticipation setting, something believable and grounded, and explore broader gameplay possibilities than our previous titles. Moving into a more action-adventure framework allowed us to explore new forms of tension, traversal, and environmental interaction, while still keeping the emotional journey of our two protagonists at the heart of the experience.”
Scale seems to be the core theme of Aphelion, and that includes things like the vastness of space, the hostility of the unknown, and the fragile nature of human connection. There's a specific balance between epic and intimate woven into the design philosophy. Building on that philosophy, the team digs into some specific pieces of media such as movies, TV shows, or music that influenced the development of Aphelion.
“We drew inspiration from a wide range of sources across film, television, and games,” explained Guillaume.
“Films like Interstellar and Arrival, and series such as The Expanse, were important references for their grounded approach to science fiction and their focus on human stakes within vast cosmic settings. On the game side, titles like The Last of Us and Alien: Isolation influenced us in different ways — particularly in how tension, survival, and character-driven storytelling can coexist within gameplay.”
However, that doesn’t mean the team is set on replicating what they’d call “hard science fiction." There’s an effort to create an original universe that’s rooted in a near-future that is very believable.
“The sci-fi genre is highly competitive and filled with iconic worlds, so for us, singularity came from grounding the story in realism and emotional authenticity. By anchoring the fiction in something plausible and contemporary, we could focus on dramaturgy, character arcs, and the human consequences of extraordinary events."
In creating this universe for Aphelion, DON’T NOD reached out to the European Space Agency to collaborate on the project for the dream of a lifetime.
“Their involvement helped us establish a strong scientific foundation for the project,” Guillaume explained. n“We began with real science, research, hypotheses, and existing theories, and then extrapolated from there to build a compelling work of fiction.
“For example, Planet Nine, the planet that we explore in the game, is based on a real scientific hypothesis currently being studied. Working with ESA allowed us to approach the setting with credibility and respect for actual space research, even as we shaped it into a dramatic adventure. The goal was not to create a hard sci-fi setting, but rather to build a grounded world that would make the fiction feel plausible in order to enhance immersion and make the epic dimension of the story feel more tangible and emotionally impactful."
Aphelion is a unique case because it features not one, but two protagonists. They won’t play the same, however, as DON’T NOD aims for unique experiences tailored to their unique circumstances. These characters are Ariane and Thomas, the latter of which has been injured in the crash that kicks off the main story.
“The two characters are placed in very different circumstances following the crash, and that distinction naturally shaped their gameplay,” said Guillaume. “Ariane is physically capable and in control of her faculties, so her gameplay leans more toward action, traversal, and forward momentum. Thomas, on the other hand, is severely injured. His sequences focus more on survival, investigation, and vulnerability.
“This alternation serves both gameplay and narrative. Mechanically, it creates rhythm and variety—shifting from intensity to tension, from agency to fragility. Narratively, it reinforces their separation and the emotional stakes of their situation. Experiencing the world through both perspectives deepens the player’s understanding of their bond and the obstacles that divide them.”
With two different characters we were curious how the gameplay split would go. Does Thomas get more screen time than Ariane? Or vice versa?
“Roughly 70% of the experience is played as Ariane, who is the primary protagonist of the game. Thomas represents about 30% of the playable time,” said Guillaume.
“Ariane represents the main story arc, while Thomas’ sequences enrich the narrative structure. The alternation between them is a deliberate storytelling device: They are separated and unable to communicate, the player becoming the invisible link between the two. By controlling both characters, the player holds knowledge that neither of them fully possesses, which strengthens emotional engagement and dramatic tension.”
That dramatic tension is further emphasized through the fact that Aphelion is a linear action game, but linear does not mean restrictive in the traditional sense. Guillaume said, “The level design alternates between confined, more tightly directed spaces and larger environments that offer multiple paths leading to the same destination.”
“While the overall progression is fixed, players will encounter larger areas that encourage exploration, environmental storytelling, and optional discoveries.
“One of the main intentions behind the game was the relationship between the characters and the scale of the planet, the immense distances that separate them. So even if we’re not making an open world, we are offering large vistas and explorable spaces that emphasize this sense of isolation and discovery. It reinforces both gameplay and narrative themes, reminding players that they are navigating something far bigger than themselves.”
So there you have it. Aphelion looks to be leaning big on story, its characters, and the sense of discovery in its own way. There's surely more to discover when it launches later this spring.
