MIO: Memories in Orbit is a rewarding Metroidvania for players drawn to atmospheric worlds, hidden routes and precise platforming. Its painterly science-fiction setting and curiosity-driven exploration stand out, but demanding traversal, uneven boss encounters and occasional combat repetition keep it from being an unconditional recommendation. Fans of the genre should find plenty to like—especially if they welcome a challenge that grows after a gentler opening.
What kind of Metroidvania is MIO?
Developed by Douze Dixièmes and published by Focus Entertainment, MIO: Memories in Orbit takes place aboard the Vessel, a derelict technological ark drifting through space. You play as MIO, an android who awakens on the ship and explores its interconnected, overgrown corridors while piecing together the Vessel’s history. The game launched on January 20, 2026.
Its structure is familiar to Metroidvania fans: explore, find secrets and routes you could not reach before, gain traversal abilities, then use those abilities to open up more of the map. Platforming and combat are central parts of that loop. It is a traditional exploration-led take on the genre rather than a reinvention of it. Focus describes the ship and its inhabitants on the official launch page; Nintendo’s Switch listing also outlines the game’s exploration, combat and upgrade features.
What stands out: atmosphere and exploration
A memorable visual identity
The Vessel’s illustrated, painterly environments are the game’s clearest distinction. Creative Bloq’s Ian Dean praised the authored art direction and the way the world rewards curiosity in his PS5 review, published January 19, 2026, where he scored the game 8/10. TechRadar’s PS5 review also highlights the visual world, alongside its soundtrack. The setting’s appeal comes not only from its look, but from the sense of exploring a large, abandoned place whose history is gradually revealed.
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- Explore a captivating universe, full of wonder and artistic curiosities. Interact with the Vessel’s environments to learn more about its past and memories.
- Earn game-changer abilities to help MIO progress through this twisted and interconnected space. Climb walls like a spider or float through the air with your Glide power. Master precision, rhythm, and timing to find the perfect flow!
- Face off a diverse array of over 30 enemy units and 15 formidable guardian bosses. Use your arsenal of powers to adapt to every encounter. Evade foes using your Hook, unleash orbs as powerful projectiles, and even create decoy clones to strike from unexpected angles. It’s always your choice!
- Enhance and customize MIO abilities by scavenging components. Spice up your fighting skills with many Modifiers and transform MIO into a formidable force tailored to your playstyle.
A map that rewards looking around
Exploration is more satisfying when you pay attention to side paths and revisit areas as MIO gains new ways to move. The interconnected ship gives those discoveries a clear purpose: a blocked route can become a future destination rather than a dead end. Players who enjoy mapping unfamiliar spaces and being rewarded for investigating corners are likely to get more from MIO than those who want a brisk, mostly linear run between fights.
The publisher describes the score as a 75-track album by Nicolas Gueguen, combining ambient melodies, layered synthesizers and live-recorded choir voices. That description is from Focus Entertainment; TechRadar independently praised the soundtrack in its review.
How difficult is MIO?
The difficulty curve is not flat. TechRadar describes a more relaxed opening followed by a significant increase in challenge in the Vaults. Creative Bloq likewise notes that some platforming demands precise timing and patience, with harder sections later on. If you are comfortable with careful jumps and learning through retries, that escalation can give the exploration a satisfying edge. If difficult traversal is a major frustration, be aware that the opening may not represent the demands of later areas.
Combat also allows players to customize their setup with modifiers, offering room to adjust how MIO approaches encounters. That flexibility does not make every fight equally compelling: Creative Bloq found some boss fights weak, while TechRadar criticized stale combat and irritating boss runbacks. TechRadar also points to long lifts as a source of friction. Those are reviewer judgments, not a universal measure of how every player will experience the pacing.
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What options can make the challenge more manageable?
TechRadar reports three difficulty-focused assists, fully remappable controls and toggleable subtitles. These options give players some control over the experience, but they should not be taken as a guarantee that every accessibility need is covered. Check the in-game settings against your own requirements before buying.
Platforms, Switch 2 compatibility and player reception
Focus Entertainment lists the game for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC through Steam, Epic Games Store and Microsoft Store. The publisher also announced day-one Xbox Game Pass availability and Steam Deck playability. Nintendo’s US listing confirms the Switch release and says the Switch version is supported on Switch 2 with behavior consistent with Switch; that is distinct from the separately listed Switch 2 version.
Steam showed 86% positive from 1,959 English-language user reviews when checked on October 5, 2026. This is a changing Steam user-review snapshot, not a critic score or a permanent rating.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is MIO: Memories in Orbit worth playing?
For Metroidvania fans who value a distinctive illustrated world and exploration that rewards patience, MIO: Memories in Orbit is an easy game to consider. Its strongest qualities are its atmosphere and the appeal of uncovering the Vessel; its main caveats are demanding platforming, a sharper rise in difficulty and uneven stretches of combat or boss pacing. It is a positive, qualified recommendation—not a must-play for every fan of the genre.
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