MIO: Memories in Orbit Reviews
MIO: Memories in Orbit is a sure bet as a Metroidvania that loves mood, smooth movement, and having its own look. It takes a lot from classics in the genre, which can be a bad thing, but it stands out through design and feel.
A sensitive and carefully crafted metroidvania experience, notable for its atmosphere, fluidity and coherence, and whose greatest strength lies in how it makes you feel as you explore it.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Quote not yet available
Review in Italian | Read full review
Even after finishing the game and getting the sense that much has already been discovered, there is still so much to explore.
Memories in Orbit is a bold and successful attempt to bring something new to the world of Metroidvania games. If you are looking for a real challenge and a work of art that hides secrets around every corner, don't hesitate to give it a try. The gameplay is impressively solid, and the art design, inspired by the work of French comic book artist Moebius, is undoubtedly the most striking positive aspect of MIO. There is some excessive lengthiness in the exploration phases, but these are flaws that can be expected from a debut work.
Review in Italian | Read full review
MIO: Memories in Orbit is an entertaining game that will give you so much fun, provided you're more than averagely good at platforming and know how to fly around with your character using all the environmental advantages.
MIO: Memories in Orbit turns out to be a lovingly crafted Metroidvania that impresses above all with its dense atmosphere, creative world and unusually precise combat system.
Review in German | Read full review
Ultimately, what hurts MIO: Memories in Orbit the most is the fact it’s yet another artsy metroidvania in a sea of very similar and (unfortunately for it) better titles. There aren’t that many elements in it that make it stand out from the competition, even though it is, once more, a pretty decent game with great visuals and movement, albeit frustrating when it comes to its combat and progression. Die-hard fans of the genre will easily have a blast with it, but otherwise, this is a game released at a very unfortunate time.
On the Nintendo Switch 2, MIO: Memories In Orbit performs extremely well, whether in handheld mode or docked. It's a very fast-paced game that doesn't suffer from stuttering, framerate drops, or anything of the sort. Technically, it's flawless! The story maintains an aura of mystery that anyone paying close attention can pick up on right away.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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.
MIO: Memories In Orbit is a game that gets better the more you play it. It’s at its best when you’re exploring, unlocking new ways to move, and slowly figuring out how everything fits together. Some parts can feel uneven, and a few moments drag more than they should, but the core experience is strong enough to keep you going.
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.
MIO: Memories in Orbit starts with confusion and punishment (and it will test your patience), but if you stick with it, it rewards you with a deep sense of mastery across its platforming and combat and a rich sense of discovery across its stunning world and storytelling. The lack of hand-holding, which annoyed me at the start, eventually instilled a genuine sense of wonder as I uncovered the world on my own terms, and when things click (and they will), it’s hard to put the controller down. It’s just a real blast to play, and whilst it’s a little bit on the long side, MIO: Memories in Orbit NEVER gets boring.
MIO experiments with a range of ideas within the Metroidvania framework. Some of these changes stand out, while others fail to push beyond boundaries already explored by the genre. Still, its dreamlike world and the sense of mystery that holds it together give these efforts—and their limitations—a distinctive charm.
Review in Korean | Read full review
MIO: Memories in Orbit is an impressive Metroidvania that stands out above all for its breathtaking hand-drawn graphic style and innovative movement system.
Review in German | Read full review
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. And MIO is wonderful on the Steam Deck. Just changing the graphics quality to Medium gives us a perfect 60 FPS with lower battery drain, and it still looks great, especially on the OLED screen. So, I am pleased to say that not only is this a great metroidvania, but it’s a fantastic title to take on the go, and I highly recommend it.
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.
Even though a high level of challenge is part of the essence of MIO: Memories in Orbit, there's much more to it than just that: some of the most beautiful visuals in games of this type, excellent world design, secret locations that demand keen attention, a well-built setting, and exciting boss fights to face. However, even if the ambition to create a punishing experience may be consistent with the narrative context, it ends up posing a potential obstacle to enjoying all the other great features this game has to offer.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
MIO: Memories in Orbit is a metroidvania that is aware of its influences and does not seek to reinvent the genre, but rather works with great care on all its key aspects. The traversal is extraordinary, the level design is inspired, and the art direction is top-notch. It is a work that demands attention, curiosity, and dedication, but it rewards you with moments of genuine beauty. Douze Dixièmes, with a small team and a clear vision, has managed to craft a title that demonstrates how much passion can make a difference. It is a journey between decadence and hope that deserves to be experienced to the fullest.
Review in Italian | Read full review
MIO: Memories in Orbit effectively balances melancholic and comedic storytelling through a visually striking experience. Mio’s dynamic design shines, especially during boss encounters, while strong world-building and exploration are slightly held back by platforming issues and overly hidden progression paths.
Review in Turkish | Read full review