MIO: Memories in Orbit

 Xbox Series X
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. XboxEra
    Jan 19, 2026
    90
    Mysterious intrigue, tight platforming, satisfying combat, and an emotional soundtrack carry you through 20 enchanting hours. It can be overly difficult at times in its optional parts. Whether on Game Pass or a full purchase, MIO: Memories in Orbit is an incredible game and well worth checking out for any action platforming Metroidvania fan.
  2. TheXboxHub
    Jan 19, 2026
    90
    It’s thrilling to play, a Metroidvania where you can feel confident giving yourself over to the development team as they present surprise after surprise. It’s bruising, but that’s an expectation of the genre, and the rewards are bountiful. It’s a game where you may feel contradictions – sometimes despair, often delight – but everything is suffused with the glow of immersion.
  3. Generación Xbox
    Jan 23, 2026
    85
    MIO: Memories in Orbit delivers the very best of the metroidvania genre in a story
  5. Xbox Tavern
    Jan 20, 2026
    85
    MIO has a lot of features that other games in the genre introduced and found a way to incorporate and make them shine. The modifier system is similar to Hollow Knight or Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The accessibility option that makes each boss a tiny bit weaker after each failed attempt is similar to Hades. The extended platforming sections of the Ori games and Guacamelee are also present. MIO does a fantastic job of taking all these systems and making them their own while wrapping them up in a huge world to explore. This is Douze Dixièmes’ second game which follows their stunning debut, Shady Part of Me, and I can’t wait to see what they do next.
  6. Video Chums
    Jan 29, 2026
    80
    I had a great deal of fun while being immersed in the striking world within MIO: Memories in Orbit as it is one captivating Metroidvania.
  7. MondoXbox
    Jan 19, 2026
    75
    MIO: Memories In Orbit is an uneven yet compelling experience, swinging between genuine engagement and notable frustration. Excessive backtracking and unclear design choices test patience, but a strong artistic direction and striking visual identity often make up for the rough edges. It doesn’t hold the player’s hand, yet its demanding nature delivers real satisfaction, making it a worthwhile metroidvania for those who appreciate challenge and imperfection.
  8. Xbox Achievements
    Jan 19, 2026
    70
    If stylish art can raise a game, as though it were a toast, then MIO is proof that no idea – no genre – is ever quite done with us, so long as we have good cause to look again. As we read, on finding the rusty shell of an old contraption: “It’s not dead yet, except if you decide it to be.
  9. Gameliner
    Jan 19, 2026
    70
    MIO: Memories in Orbit is a strikingly stylish Metroidvania with the potential to rival the genre’s heavyweights, were it not for one nagging flaw: its pacing. Fans of the subgenre will find much to admire in its beautiful presentation, richly realized world, mysterious narrative, and clever level design, which offer plenty for veterans to sink their teeth into, even if the combat and platforming are more competent than exceptional. I admire the game’s deliberate, contemplative approach, but its frequent sluggishness can sap momentum and demand real effort to push forward. Despite some missteps, MIO: Memories in Orbit remains a memorable experience.
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  1. Xboxygen
    Jan 20, 2026
    Embarking on an adventure with MIO is a journey into the unknown. The latter has been enhanced by unique artistic direction, offering a proper feast for the eyes and ears. Exploration is engaging and natural, gameplay is fluid and airy, and battles are very intense. Be warned, however, that the experience can also be abrupt and frustrating at times. The ingredients used are all familiar, but even though the formula is classic and simple, Douze Dixièmes has nevertheless gifted us with a high-quality Metroidvania game for its second release.