MIO: Memories in Orbit

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a masterpiece. It is one of the most beautiful games ever made and already a strong contender for one of the best games of the year.

From the gleaming towers of the city to the vibrantly lush trails in the garden, I gleefully sailed and fought my way through MIO: Memories in Orbit. Its stunning art style perfectly offsets the tragic narrative. I found it so hard to put down and became so invested in the world’s fate that I couldn’t accept its death. Instead, I searched for an option the game graciously offered for my persistence. Though either way, the conclusion is pierced with hope and sadness.

MIO: Memories in Orbit delivers a fantastic experience within the metroidvania genre, combining excellent exploration with a strong audiovisual identity. Even with limitations in the variety of common enemies, the game makes up for it with bosses, a beautiful soundtrack, and an intriguing world that encourages curiosity from start to finish.

Mio: Memories in Orbit surprised me in the best possible way. As someone who doesn’t usually play platformers or Metroidvania games, I went in unsure of what to really expect. What I found was a beautifully crafted experience that pulled me in through its atmosphere, movement, and quiet storytelling.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a gorgeous, fluid, and intriguing metroidvania that succeeds on almost all fronts. The intriguing story hooked me in, while the fantastic traversal and platforming mixed well with the simplistic combat to create an engaging experience. The fast travel and respawns could be a little unforgiving, and I wish there were more parts to further upgrade MIO to continue experimenting, but it was still fun nonetheless.

Even after finishing the game and getting the sense that much has already been discovered, there is still so much to explore.

MIO: Memories In Orbit is an early contender for one of the most memorable games of 2026. It is an incredibly challenging game to play, with combat being a highlight, even if some platforming section can be frustrating. It looks fantastic, though, and the story is well told. MIO: Memories In Orbit draws you in, and does not let go easily. It is hard game but the journey is worth experiencing.

Brutal and beautiful. Those are the two words that describe MIO: Memories in Orbit. The game offers a stunning world that’s matched by an equally gorgeous soundtrack, while the level design, enemies, and bosses force you to learn and adapt if you want to survive.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is outstanding. Douze Dixièmes have managed to nail the difficult balance between teaching players just enough while still stepping back and letting the player learn on their own in a world crafted to support them. The platforming is precise and challenging, but every obstacle is fairly designed, rewarding skill and perseverance. With a backdrop of gorgeous art, standout music and thoughtful world design, MIO: Memories in Orbit is a phenomenal example of just how good Metroidvanias can be.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a dark, challenging Metroidvania Soulslike that perfectly understands what makes this genre so much fun. Combat feels precise and weighty, with fantastic enemy design and one of the most enjoyable Metroidvania maps seen in years. Traversal is incredible, and you'll be in awe of its wonderful music. Sadly, MIO also continues to use outdated Soulslike mechanics, including long, arduous boss runbacks, and the upgrade system is interesting from a thematic standpoint, but ultimately pretty dull.

MIO: Memories in Orbit stands out as a visually stunning metroidvania, delivering one of the most striking art directions in recent years. Its watercolor-like aesthetic, paired with strong sound design, creates a memorable and atmospheric journey. While clearly inspired by Hollow Knight, MIO carves its own identity by being more accessible, though some combat and checkpoint design choices can frustrate. The narrative is intentionally cryptic and may not resonate with everyone, but it complements the game’s melancholic tone. Even with its flaws, MIO emerges as a confident, creative, and impressive early highlight of 2026.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a gorgeous, exploration-driven platformer that thrives on your curiosity. What starts as a dark, confusing journey slowly unfurls into a vibrant world packed with secrets, hidden bosses, and environmental storytelling that rewards thorough exploration. While combat mechanics remain simple, fluid movement, challenging boss fights, and a richly atmospheric ship make uncovering the Vessel’s mysteries consistently satisfying—for players willing to get lost along the way.

With many great games, I am eager to shout from the rooftops to get as many people as possible to play. I sincerely enjoy Mio, but I’d also be extremely hesitant to recommend its rigors to all but very experienced players, eager for platforming, bosses, and exploration that are often more chore than satisfaction. However, if that kind of thing sets your heart aflutter, Mio should be very high on your list of must-plays.

If you love the Metroidvania genre not just on the surface but deep down, MIO: Memories in Orbit is a game so detailed, polished, and content-rich that it can practically feel like paradise. It tells a highly original story, delivers a feast both visually and sonically, and even after finishing the main narrative, it offers so much to do that you won’t want to put it down before fully wringing it dry - assuming, of course, that the occasionally nonsensical difficulty doesn’t leave you tearing your hair out first.

MIO: Memories in Orbit doesn’t reinvent the wheel, yet it stands out thanks to its rock-solid foundations, immaculate presentation, and a demanding, multifaceted gameplay loop. Its verbose navigation in the latter half and some steep difficulty spikes keep it from being a must-have for every metroidvania fan, but the most dedicated players will find a rewarding challenge and a truly memorable journey in this small French gem.

MIO: Memories in Orbit, another ‘refined’ game project from French developers. Despite being somewhat uneven in terms of difficulty, it manages to keep the player immersed in its world, and its music and mysterious universe construction make you lose track of time. Whether you love the genre or not, I think you should definitely join MIO on its special journey.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a beautiful and substantial Metroidvania with excellent presentation and fluid gameplay that avoids becoming frantic. It's a shame about the trial-and-error platforming sections and the overly cryptic exploration, but fans of Metroidvania games will find plenty to enjoy (though you might want to keep a guide handy).

MIO: Memories In Orbit is a visually striking and mechanically rich metroidvania that rewards patient, experienced players with its challenging combat and vertical mobility. Set aboard a derelict spaceship with a hauntingly beautiful hand-drawn aesthetic, the game delivers a memorable sci-fi journey bolstered by fluid movement and smart encounter design. While some systems fall short of their potential and the storytelling remains minimalistic, MIO offers a distinct experience for fans seeking depth and atmosphere in their exploration.

Reminiscent of French Symbolist literature, Mio: Memories in Orbit masterfully weaves an ambiguous, poetic narrative into intricate Metroidvania exploration. While the story remains elusive, the game’s artistic sensibility and elegant level design create a deeply immersive experience that rewards patience. For players who cherish atmospheric storytelling and the thrill of discovery, this journey through a rusting ark offers a perfect balance of aesthetic beauty and genre satisfaction.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a great Metroidvania, and above all, an absolutely beautiful video game. Navigating the ship, discovering its different locations, and finding their interconnections is as satisfying as the protagonist's movement and the level design. The striking resemblance to its inspirations (Hollow Knight and Ori), a somewhat uninspired bestiary, a certain lack of polish, and the absence of truly memorable moments don't detract from this challenging game that tests both skill and patience. However, the difficulty adjustments, while not making it a cakewalk, make it more manageable for those who, drawn in by its art style or its inclusion on Game Pass from launch, are simply looking for a beautiful and melancholic audiovisual and narrative experience that may not leave a lasting impression, but is enjoyable every step of the way—even when repeating a boss fight or platforming section for the twentieth time.

MIO: Memories in Orbit stands out in a crowded field of Metroidvanias with beautiful art direction and an engaging narrative. The rewarding gameplay loop and amount of character upgrades provide plenty of replayability for the first standout indie game of 2026.

It occasionally uses those worn tools to achieve something profound. [Issue#421, p.120]

MIO: Memories in Orbit leaves a strong first impression and continues to deliver quality content throughout, despite a few questionable design choices here and there. Some clever level design, a fantastic soundtrack, and a gorgeous art style make the entire experience worthwhile.

MIO tries to shake up the Metroidvania formula in a few interesting ways. Some of its design choices may not appeal to everyone at first, but the challenge ultimately pays off. Fans of the genre willing to stick with it will likely find something to enjoy.

MIO Memories in Orbit is undoubtedly a wonderful surprise and an invitation to feast your eyes and ears. It's a game of rare artistic intensity that exudes genuine poetry throughout. You'll enjoy losing yourself in it for dozens of hours and exploring the sometimes sprawling depths of its inspired environments. Beneath its more than charming visuals lies a highly effective Metroidvania that borrows good ideas from various sources and applies them flawlessly with great precision. The execution is excellent, but the gameplay lacks personality, which truly contrasts with everything else. While you'll discover a profoundly unique world, you'll also have the feeling of having played it before. But it's hard to fault it for that, especially if you're a fan of the genre, as the journey is well worth experiencing.

MIO: Memories in Orbit demands patience, offering a serene and strange world to explore, great characters to meet, and some of the better platforming mechanics I’ve played with. It lacks a lot of familiar genre mechanics, which can make it feel punishing for some, especially those who want to get through the game fast. If you find that you enjoy taking your time in MIO: Memories in Orbit, then you’ll have a lot of fun.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a charming, enjoyable and perfectly well-made Metroidvania. The core gameplay loop is engaging, and there's enough room for upgrades and mastery of skills to keep the relatively simple combat feeling fun throughout. Some awkward platforming drags down the experience a little, but it's not enough to sour the whole. All in all, MIO feels like a great game for fans of Metroidvania-style games to play, and while it may not exactly reinvent the wheel, it shows that a well made game in the genre can still be addictive and fun.

Android MIO has to clean up a spaceship full of dangerous machines. You'll sweat, but it's not in vain.

It doesn’t do much to reinvent the wheel, there’s nothing massive here that separates it from a game like Hollow Knight, but it doesn’t need to, either. I liked that it kept its features and ideas down to the simple fundamentals of the Metroidvania genre, where its appeal rides by on vibes alone. Even after reaching the end of the game, I’m excited to go back and see what I’ve missed, because I’ll bet there’s quite a lot of content I’ve still not seen yet.

Imaginative space Metroidvania, with beautifully escalating mobility, distinctive design, and plenty of good ideas straight from the belly of a dying spaceship.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a visually stunning Metroidvania that nails exploration, atmosphere, and that “one more room” feeling. The module-based progression keeps combat fresh, and the story has enough mystery and emotional weight to keep you pushing forward. But the game isn’t without issues, including unclear direction, overly punishing platforming sections, limited accessibility options, and a frustrating story moments that can remove hard-earned health upgrades. It’s a great experience overall, albeit with a few flaws.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a demanding, luminous journey through decay and empathy, one that asks a lot of its players and gives back just enough to make the struggle worthwhile.

A strong Metroidvania in both audiovisual and gameplay aspects, featuring appealing level design, a dense atmosphere, convincing scope, a tactically interesting upgrade system, nerve-wracking boss battles, and clever features to balance the challenging difficulty level.

MIO : Memories in Orbit is this year's first surprise. Mesmerizing visuals paired with demanding gameplay and an engaging narrative make it a must try metroidvania for anyone remotely interested in the genre.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a challenging Metroidvania with a strong atmosphere, which is likely to appeal especially to fans of the genre.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a stunning metroidvania with satisfying gameplay, set in an interesting science fiction setting.

There’s a reason Beckett’s estate demands that all productions of his work follow his stage directions to the letter, as they’re as integral to the text as the dialogue. A sense of environmental storytelling similarly drives MIO, justifying the scale of the massive biomes and the sometimes frustrating ways in which you have to backtrack through them. It’s necessary to force players to repeatedly take a minute-long elevator ride into and out of The Vessel’s depths, because it drives home just how big (and how empty) it is. Hopeless as things may seem, even the comparatively small Mio is still capable of carrying a spark of hope.

I have my issues with some of the pacing choices in MIO: Memories in Orbit, particularly in the game’s early hours, and I think some of its systems don’t add much to the overall experience, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is a beautifully made Metroidvania which always feels excellent in your hands and which makes a lot of smart design choices. Fans who have finished Silksong and are craving their next fix should absolutely give it a look.

Aesthetically, I really thought that MIO: Memories in Orbit was beautiful. The stunning visuals mixed with the vocals were super pleasing to experience. This element pulls me in as a player, and it grabs my attention from the very beginning. The developers did a fantastic job in this area. If you believe you are the right kind of player, then I happily recommend you pick this one up, just for the visuals alone.

Ultimately, Mio: Memories in Orbit is a refreshing experience that proves there's still room for gentleness in a genre often saturated with violence. While the game loses some momentum towards the end due to a lack of content, it compensates with its lightheartedness and artistic direction. It's a bright and cheerful alternative to the harshness of Silksong, offering an enchanting interlude for all platformer fans who prefer poetry to frenetic action, both in substance and style.

MIO: Memories in Orbit does not bring any real innovation to the metroidvania genre. Moreover, it suffers from a few shortcomings, such as poorly placed checkpoints and a certain lack of precision in the protagonist’s hitbox. Nonetheless, it remains a two-dimensional adventure with a striking artistic vision, a solid pacing, and an effective grasp of the mechanics and design principles that underpin the metroidvania formula.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is as beautiful as it is punishing. With an abundance of adventure, solid gameplay and music that’ll make your ears tingle, it’s an excellent addition to the Metroidvania genre, only the combat falls a little short.

MIO: Memories in Orbit hits all the hallmarks of a Metroidvania. Through excellent visuals and setting, you explore a place that feels alive as you restore it to functionality. Even at its most aggravating, Mio is difficult to dismiss. The game's visual identity is striking, and the spacecraft's transformation as it comes alive is excellent. There's a great sense of atmosphere that's reinforced as you keep moving forward, that eventually gives out because of uneven and frankly, unnecessary combat.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is very much a release where ambiance and exploration are top dogs of the experience. Whether you’re in a more lax state of exploring the map or trying to surmount a challenging sequence of whirling saws and pitfalls, moving around MIO’s map is a great time thoroughly enhanced by the game’s impressive rendering of its world and an immersive soundtrack. Unfortunately, these successes overshadow the title’s combat and progression mechanics. There will be a lot of familiar elements to those with prior metroidvania experience, and while they’re all implemented serviceably, they simply don’t do as much heavy lifting as the platforming, world building, and music.

A solid Metroidvania in its own right with a uniquely gorgeous aesthetic, MIO: Memories in Orbit is marked by bizarre design choices and a lack of variety to combat.

With its strong art direction, cohesive world, and well-balanced difficulty, MIO: Memories in Orbit proves to be a very satisfying experience. Its deliberately slow gameplay won't appeal to everyone, especially the combat, but it's justified and becomes quite engaging, making you want to invest the ten or so hours needed to complete it. It's a solid little Metroidvania that has a lot to offer, despite a few flaws and a finale that we had hoped would be more spectacular.