MIO: Memories in Orbit Reviews
MIO: Memories in Orbit is a game that stands out for its contrasts. It has some of the best movement and discovery in the genre, and the audiovisual package is so beautiful that it makes you want to get lost. But its restricted combat depth and sometimes punishing way of moving around keep it from being the best Metroidvania game ever.
Douze Dixièmes delivers a metroidvania that goes head-to-head with the best this genre has to offer. From the gorgeous hand-painted art to the moody synth soundtrack, MIO is an audio-visual delight that simply must be experienced.
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.
Despite a few niggles with its progression system, MIO: Memories in Orbit is a wonderful adventure. It looks beautiful, sounds incredible, and feels fantastic to play. The platforming is excellent, exploration is rewarding, and the world is rich with atmosphere and quiet storytelling. If you’re not completely burnt out on the genre, or if you’re feeling that familiar itch to dive back into a thoughtful, well-crafted adventure, this is absolutely one to keep on your radar. MIO is a game that shows there is hope when all seems lost.
Memories in Orbit delivers outstanding atmosphere and exploration, held back slightly by combat that never quite evolves.
MIO’s quest is both exciting and mellow, with fluid gameplay, stunning visuals, and a soundtrack that often left me feeling much more serene than stressed.
MIO: Memories in Orbit combines exploration, combat, and platforming with a unique art style that makes every corner of the ship beautiful. Its demanding challenge and customization through modifiers will reward patience and mastery of its mechanics. For fans of the most demanding Metroidvania genre, seeking a deep, dense game with its own distinct identity, this adventure is a highly recommended experience.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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
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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.