Don't Nod's sci-fi adventure "Aphelion" has been available for a few days and leaves you with several questions after the credits roll. The origin of the menacing enemies, in particular, remains a mystery. We discussed this and other topics with the developers at Don't Nod in an interview.
It revealed that the abstract opponents in “Aphelion“The so-called Nemesis, despite their appearance, are not mechanical constructs, but have a biological origin based on microorganisms from the oceans of Planet 9, the setting of the game.”
The visual design of the menacing Nemesis – characterized by floating shards and black threads – initially fueled speculation in trailers about purely digital or mechanical manifestations of the "Source." Don't Nod now clarifies that the chimera is composed of water in liquid, solid, and gaseous states. This materiality serves not only artistic purposes but also directly influences the technical rendering and gameplay behavior of the enemies.
Biology instead of mechanics on Planet 9
The decision to use a biological basis is intended to prevent Nemesis from being perceived as classic "alien enemies." The studio aimed to create a threat that exists somewhere between animal, machine, and dream. Despite a firmly established internal lore, the team emphasizes the importance of player interpretation.
“The Nemesis represents the hostile form of a microorganism-based life form that exists in the oceans of Planet 9,” said Dimitri Weideli, Executive Producer of Aphelion. “Our goal was to create something menacing and intriguing without immediately labeling it a classic ‘alien’ enemy. Players should be asking themselves: Is it an animal? A machine? A dream?”
Integrating water in three different states within a single character model places high demands on the engine. While many current titles rely on static particle effects, Don't Nod employs a dynamic system where the physical state of enemies changes during confrontations. An enemy that switches between gaseous and solid states requires different tactical approaches.
The shift away from classic humanoids or mechanical robots towards water-based biology was risky, but technically really exciting, as our review reveals. The full interview with further details about "Aphelion" will follow shortly.
