MIO Memories in Orbit, the upcoming metroidvania developed by Douze Dixiemes and published by Focus Entertainment, has all the markings of the next big indie. From a gorgeous art style to detailed and rich environmental design, mixed in with strong combat and a sense of exploration, MIO Memories in Orbit grabs you immediately. If it can keep this up over its entire runtime, it’ll be a can’t-miss in a hugely stacked year.
MIO Memories in Orbit opens with intrigue as MIO’s consciousness slides back into its robotic shell. Awakening in a rundown and depilated construct known as the Vessel, with nothing really to go on, MIO sets out to discover what happened and who was calling to them as they reboot.
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So far, MIO Memories in Orbit holds its narrative close to the chest. You learn by exploring, finding new characters who provide drips of lore, striving to unlock a bigger picture. The bits I have learned have been curious and tantalizing, driving more exploration to try and uncover just a bit more or meet another character that can unlock a door or provide insight.
The player drives the narrative experience in MIO Memories in Orbit.
The combat is relatively straightforward and limited throughout the demo, with MIO’s only moves being a jump and a slash at the beginning. In standard metroidvania fare, you can find new abilities and power up MIO over time. The first major one is a hookshot-like move, using the tendrils coming out of MIO’s head to close the distance between enemies and open up new exploration areas.
As you fight and explore, MIO collects nacre, used for upgrading abilities. If you die, you lose whatever you’ve collected. Certain items can help prevent this, and even more interestingly, when you die, the nacre doesn’t just disappear. Instead, it fills a pool with a robotic life form in it. The more you fill the pool, the more they can do. The first major unlock is a map, letting players plan their route to whatever’s next. Having a map on hand as MIO travels would have been nice, as it’s easy to get lost in all the dense hallways, but hopefully that’s an upgrade that comes later.
An interesting Modifier system gives MIO new attributes in MIO Memories in Orbit. There’s a limited amount that you can equip at one time, dictated by an allocation matrix. Equipping a modifier that shows the enemy’s health may cost 10 slots, while adding another health slot costs 20. Modifiers can significantly change an approach and make the game more or less difficult, as there is even a modifier that can turn off MIO’s UI. It adds a layer of accessibility, allowing players to tailor the difficulty to their liking. There are other options to help with the difficulty, like toggles for lowering the boss’s max health after a failure, making it a much more welcoming experience.
MIO Memories in Orbit is a difficult game for players who enjoy a challenge.
MIO Memories in Orbit follows a trend of tough and exploratory metroidvanias over the last few years. This won’t be for everyone, as the regular enemies and bosses pack a punch. Memorizing attack patterns is critical to survival and long runs back to go another round if you die. There are shortcuts to unlock along the way. Still, even then, MIO: Memories in Orbit feels more for players who enjoy Soulslike games or other difficult, exploratory metroidvanias like Hollow Knight or Blasphemous.
The music and art style in MIO Memories in Orbit are absolute standouts. The music is gorgeous, as vocal lines over ethereal melodies switch to jazzy beats, changing as the environment does. The art style is beautiful, as if a paintbrush is just ahead of the player, watercolors splashed on the screen. Metallic and factory greys give way to alien purples and yellows, each new area a dense visual spectacle.
MIO Memories in Orbit has many of the markings of something truly special. The combat is tight and shows hints of more complexity as MIO upgrades. The music and art style leave lasting impressions, generating excitement at anything new or unexpected. It is tough and does not hold your hand, so it won’t be for everyone, but MIO Memories in Orbit is shaping up to be a can’t-miss for those up for it.
MIO Memories in Orbit will be released in 2025 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
