There’s something special about MIO: Memories in Orbit that sneaks up on you. At first glance, it looks like a beautifully illustrated sci‑fi platformer. Thirty minutes later, you realize you’re wandering through a broken technological ark, piecing together forgotten memories, timing aerial attacks mid‑jump, and quietly wondering what you would sacrifice to restore a dying world.
You play as MIO, a nimble robot with extraordinary mobility, exploring The Vessel—an enormous technological ark overtaken by lush vegetation and malfunctioning machines. Once maintained by the Pearls, mysterious AI caretakers who have inexplicably gone silent, the Vessel is now a living ruin. No one knows why the Pearls stopped functioning. What is clear is that MIO is deeply connected to their fate… and possibly to the Vessel itself.
Movement Is the Message
MIO: Memories in Orbit is a Metroidvanian indie platformer that understands one core truth: movement is storytelling. Certain areas are only accessible if you plan your jumps and attacks carefully. As your skills improve, you’ll discover that striking enemies mid‑air resets your jump—letting you chain attacks upward and reach platforms that once felt impossible.
But here’s the catch: timing matters. Eliminate an enemy too early and you may lose your stepping stone to higher ground. Wait too long, and you risk being taken out before you reach your destination. This balance between precision and patience becomes one of the game’s most satisfying challenges.
MIO has serious aerial mobility, and the game wants you to use it. Hitting an enemy—or even certain objects—grants an additional jump. Don’t trip, either. As you progress, you’ll continue to grow, unlocking abilities like a grappling hook, air gliding, and more, each one expanding how you interpret the Vessel’s vertical spaces.
Combat With Intent
Combat is deceptively nuanced. You can aim attacks left, right, up, and down, but not all directions behave the same:
Left, right, and upward attacks deal damage
Downward attacks don’t deal damage—but they do grant you an extra jump
That design choice turns enemies into temporary platforms and makes combat feel like part of traversal rather than a separate system. Once it clicks, you’ll start seeing the battlefield as a puzzle instead of a threat.
Preparation Matters: Meet Mel
Before every boss fight, make it a habit to visit Mel, the ever‑useful shopkeeper. Mel can mean the difference between a clean victory and a frustrating retry. Stock up, prepare wisely, and treat each boss encounter like the event it is—because the game certainly does.
And yes, you’ll have plenty of bosses to face. Not four. Not five. Try around 15 boss encounters, with double that number in enemy types. This is an affordably priced game, but it doesn’t skimp on content.
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Nacre is the game’s precious currency, and losing it hurts—unless you’re smart. You can preserve Nacre on death by solidifying it at set locations. If you’ve ever played a Metroidvania where one careless mistake wiped hours of progress, you’ll appreciate how much strategy this adds to exploration.
Nothing in MIO is marked. And that’s intentional, you get exploration without hand-holding.
Some secrets are small. Some are breathtaking. All of them reward curiosity. Revisit zones after unlocking new abilities. Look closely at walls, ceilings, and forgotten corners. Use the right analog stick to shift the camera, and you might spot paths you’d never see from a stationary viewpoint.
This is a game that trusts the player—and that trust pays off.
Want an Easier Experience? Use Assists
For players who want to focus more on exploration and story, MIO includes thoughtful Assist options:
Eroded Bosses: Bosses lose maximum health with each encounter, increasing your chances of success over time
Pacifist: Enemies won’t attack unless provoked (excluding bosses). You’ll still need to fight for progression, but it softens the learning curve
Ground Healing: Stand still for 5 seconds to gain a temporary, non‑recoverable shield
These options don’t cheapen the experience—they make it more accessible.
Friendly on Your Hardware (Seriously)
With RAM and GPU prices being what they are, this part matters: MIO doesn’t demand much from your system. You can enjoy the experience with:
Even better, the low preset isn’t far off from the highest settings, meaning you’re not sacrificing much visual fidelity to play comfortably.
A Studio With a Painter’s Eye
MIO: Memories in Orbit is developed by Douze Dixiemes, a small studio just outside Paris, France. Their passion for games with a strong visual identity shines through every frame. Inspired by the world of painting, the game features a sketch‑like, cel‑shaded aesthetic with fully hand‑drawn characters and environments.
Its artistic influences include:
The works of Miyazaki
The film Ernest et Célestine
The sci‑fi novel series Hyperion
You’ll also feel echoes of Ori and the Blind Forest and Hollow Knight—not as imitation, but as respectful conversation. Some areas are breathtaking. Others are haunting. And yes—enemies lurk where beauty feels safest.
The campaign can be completed in around 25 hours, though most players will likely land somewhere between 25 and 40 hours depending on exploration habits. That’s a solid journey, but more importantly, it’s a meaningful one.
MIO: Memories in Orbit isn’t just about getting from point A to point B. It’s about momentum, memory, and mastering the space between jumps. Take your time. Follow your curiosity. And most of all—enjoy the ride and the OST.
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