IXION Review

IXION

Release: April 8, 2025
Publisher: Kasedo Games
Developer: Kasedo Games
Genre: City Builder, PlayStation 5 Reviews, Strategy
PEGI: 7
Comments:

 

Comment

The space-based experience of existential silence is captured with such precision by IXION that it evokes chilling sensations. The Administrator of Tiqqun, a massive space station carrying the last vestiges of humanity, is responsible for managing both resources and optimism. With the PlayStation 5, you’ll feel an even heavier load.

The Tiqqun’s utilitarian beauty was a sight to behold as I booted up to IXION on my PS5. The atmosphere of a game is not just about mechanics, but also about the rotating sectors of the station, the cold noises of machinery, and the distant glow of dying stars. Opening hours are surprisingly tranquil, with tutorials teaching you how to construct buildings, assign staff, and manage power. There is a sense that the game is already tightening up.

The game IXION is a demonstration of how to handle systemic tension. Every decision has cascading consequences. Do you prioritize food production or hull repairs? Is it more efficient to wake more colonists during a cryo-sleep or save resources for the next jump? The issues are not just about strategy, but also about ethical dilemmas.

The PS5 version maintains the full range of complexity found in the PC version, and while there are mapping options for different controllers, it’s not always user-friendly.

Navigating from one sector to another, navigating overlays, and issuing commands can be time-consuming, particularly during emergencies. Even so, the DualSense controller adds a subtle immersion feature, such as vibrations during hull breaches or solar flare activation, which enhances the sense of urgency.

In Chapter 2, I had a particularly interesting experience of having to decide whether to send sailor team into ‘a black hole-orbiting ship’. While the mission offered valuable tech, it posed significant risks. I sent them. They didn’t return. The defeat was more than just a mechanical one. I had read their bios. I knew their names.

The narrative moves at a leisurely pace. Mission briefings, crew logs and haunting transmissions in IXION show that a civilization on the brink of extinction is not just about moral collapse but also has succumbed to human suffering. The prose is sharp, often poetic, and free to explore the darker side of corporate greed, ecological collapse or survival.

The way the story is woven into gameplay was what impressed me the most. Trust in your team is not just a statistic, it’s based on your leadership qualities. “. Failure to meet expectations can result in strikes, suicides, and even mutiny. The game’s minimalist score and tone add to the emotional impact of these events.

Graphically speaking, IXION falls into the category of cool. Despite its stable frame rates and clear visuals, the PS5 is a good choice for gaming, but it doesn’t quite match up to the hardware’s capabilities. It’s not a flashy game, so the Tiqqun is more of. The air in space is portrayed as unremarkable, with nebulae flying overhead and abandoned stations moving like fallen bodies.

CREATOR: gd-jpeg v1.0 (using IJG JPEG v62), quality = 90

The audio design is exceptional. The ambient noise of life support systems, the sound of metal from afar, and the stillness of space- an experience that is deeply immersive. Despite its limited size, the music is melancholic and heavy with piano and synth sounds that convey loneliness. The soundtrack is haunting.

It performs well on PS5. Almost everything. The load time is very fast, and I only experienced a few minor glitches, mostly related to UI issues and occasional audio drops. But the interface could be improved. The lack of quick shortcuts and cluttered menus make micromanagement more difficult than it should be.

I was deeply concerned about the fate of my crew after twelve hours. Every decision felt weighty. Every loss stung. The narrative of IXION is not about power, but rather about responsibility. Playing this game requires your concentration, empathy and resilience….

Moments of success included the sudden and precise rescue of a collapsing sector, as well as the subsequent discovery of an accessible planet after repeated failures. There were instances where despair was present. I lost half of my population due to a solar storm that caused alternating currents. Why? It was devastating to see the station go dark, knowing I had failed them.

Ultimately, IXION on PS5 is a testament to the delicate balance of strategy and narrative depth. It challenges players not only to manage resources and make calculated decisions, but also to engage emotionally with the world it presents. The experience is both rewarding and heartrending, leaving an indelible mark on those who dare to navigate the treacherous expanse of space. As the final credits roll, the game leaves you with a lingering sense of duty and reflection, reminding you that every choice carries weight, and every life counts.

Trailer