MIO: Memories in Orbit Reviews
Mio: Memories in Orbit is an elegant and rigorous metroidvania that puts all its focus on exploration and precision. Its world is fascinating to traverse, the movement system is solid, and the bosses provide a genuine challenge. The narrative, however, remains in the background, and the combat system lacks meaningful evolution over time, staying consistently minimal. This is a game that asks a lot from the player and doesn't always return an equally strong emotional engagement, but it still manages to leave a mark thanks to its visual identity and the coherence of its design.
Review in Italian | Read full review
MIO: Memories In Orbit stands as a confident, artistically driven Metroidvania with thoughtful design, expressive movement, and thematic cohesion. Exploring the Vessel feels less like checking off objectives and more like uncovering something forgotten, piece by piece. For a studio stepping into new territory, Douze Dixièmes delivers an experience that feels assured and purposeful. With its evocative world, elegant mechanics, and emotional undercurrent, MIO: Memories In Orbit emerges as one of the strongest early releases of the year, earning a well-deserved place among the genre's modern standouts. It is memorable, distinctive, and absolutely worth the journey.
MIO wears its tough-as-nails metroidvania influences proudly, but spends enough time contorting familiar ideas into punishing gauntlets and rewarding patience with dazzling artistic spectacle that it truly comes into its own.
For a game to break through it has to be not just good, but unique. It has to marry smart, proficient design with a legitimately interesting and distinctive story and aesthetic. It’s a high bar and MIO: Memories In Orbit sails right over it. There are no humans in its sci-fi, but sci-fi is rarely this human—the hands of its designers rarely this evident in a game.
The start of the year used to be a barren place for exciting new games, but MIO: Memories in Orbit disputes that statement. 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.
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.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
A fun Metroidvania with an Art Nouveau-inspired presentation
Android MIO has to clean up a spaceship full of dangerous machines. You'll sweat, but it's not in vain.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
MIO: Memories in Orbit boasts spectacular visuals, a gigantic world, a unique atmosphere, and addictive gameplay. It demands patience and persistence, and not everyone will be able to handle the difficulty or the constant backtracking. But those who get into the spirit of it will find a profound, artistic, and memorable experience that easily ranks alongside the genre's greats.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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.
MIO: Memories in Orbit is yet another challenging but rewarding Metroidvania for genre fans to sink their teeth into. It suffers from many of the frustrations typical of the genre, such as difficulty spikes and troublesome backtracking, but its unique visual style and intriguing world make up for it.
It is a disservice to the beautiful world on display here that I was reset back to the start so many times and lost a lot of the meaningful progress I had made. MIO - Memories in Orbit is at odds with itself too much for my personal taste. But I also cannot deny that if you are a fan of this particular genre, MIO is one that should not be overlooked.
MIO: Memories in Orbit is one of the best metroidvanias in recent times. Its unforgettable visuals and superb movement mechanics lead to create a memorable experience. If you like the genre, it's a must-play.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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. 🥶
MIO: Memories in Orbit is a visual and auditory masterpiece that offers a solid, if occasionally frustrating, Metroidvania experience. With a distinct art style, a compelling "chip" customization system, and satisfying traversal (once unlocked), it stands as a strong entry in the genre. However, slow pacing, backtracking issues, and some odd combat design choices keep it from perfection.
MIO: Memories In Orbit is a visual masterpiece that proves you don't need hundreds of employees to create a unique world. The hand-drawn splendor of the Vessel immediately sucks you into a mystery that forces you to explore every corner. Although the story remains a bit vague at first and the real genre veterans may not find the biggest challenge, the game offers a perfect balance between frustration and satisfaction for the average player. Thanks to the smart mod system and smooth gameplay, every victory in a bossfight feels deserved. Are you a fan of metroidvanias or are you simply looking for an atmospheric adventure in which you can lose yourself? Don't let MIO pass you by. It is an impressive achievement of Twelve Dixièmes that tastes for more.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Finishing MIO: Memories in Orbit leaves an impression that is hard to define immediately, yet profoundly resonant. The game does not rely on spectacular set pieces or dramatic climaxes; its impact is cumulative, emerging through a slow, deepening relationship between the player and the world. Rather than imposing its rhythm, it invites the player to adapt to its measured pace. Immersion is the game’s defining strength. The orbital station is not merely a backdrop to traverse – it is a space to engage with, revealing itself gradually and rewarding careful observation. Progression is equally thoughtful. Abilities are acquired gradually, reshaping how spaces are perceived and experienced. Returning to familiar areas with new capabilities transforms them into fresh opportunities for discovery, sustaining a sense of growth and maintaining engagement even in later stages. The game’s consistency is remarkable. Every element – from art direction and sound design to level layout – aligns with a cohesive vision. At no point does the game compromise its identity or resort to conventional shortcuts, ensuring clarity and integrity throughout. However, this unwavering focus may feel inflexible to those who do not connect with its design language. Emotionally, MIO: Memories in Orbit leaves a subtle but lasting impact. Its narrative is understated, relying on atmosphere, silence, and environmental storytelling rather than overt drama. The game’s emotional resonance often emerges retrospectively, revealing the depth of its reflective, contemplative design. The game’s limitations are purposeful. Combat is deliberately restrained, and its measured pacing may test players accustomed to fast-paced action or varied gameplay. Likewise, the fragmented, interpretive narrative challenges those who favor clear, linear storytelling. Far from being shortcomings, these design choices are intentional, shaping the game’s distinctive character and contemplative identity.
That said, in spite of all of these caveats, I’m still going to recommend MIO. Do not get it twisted: this game is hard. It will challenge you, it will take your wits to the breaking point, and it will require navigating some design choices that seem absolutely insane. But once it finally clicks for you, it becomes one of the most addictive platformers you’ll ever play. Just be prepared to die a lot. Because you will.
MIO Memories in Orbit doesn’t try to reinvent the Metroidvania genre. It refines it with confidence, style, and a clear creative vision. If you value atmosphere, exploration, and movement that feels genuinely satisfying, this is absolutely worth your time.
Mio: Memories in Orbit offers a particularly solid experience for those looking for good, high-quality 2D action platformers.
Review in Greek | Read full review