MIO: Memories in Orbit Wiki
Complete guide for the hand-drawn Metroidvania adventure aboard the decaying space station known as The Vessel
Game Overview
MIO: Memories in Orbit is a hand-drawn Metroidvania where you play as MIO, a robot exploring a decaying space station called the Vessel. The game features fluid platforming, precision combat, and environmental storytelling across diverse biomes.
Players wake up as MIO, a sentient android robot, aboard the decaying ship that was originally designed to transport humans to a place called the Promised Land. All the humans are gone, leaving only machines behind. The ship is now a field of ruins overgrown with lush vegetation and rogue machines, with its AI caretakers called "the Pearls" mysteriously non-functional.
MIO's goal is to find the five Voices—celestial overseers named The Breath, The Spine, The Hand, The Blood, and The Eye—and gather their Voices to kickstart The Heart and save the ship from destruction.
Story Themes & Narrative: MIO explores themes of purpose, mortality, and the passage of time as The Vessel gradually deteriorates. The story is primarily delivered through text bubbles and notes left behind by those who came before, with rare voice-acted moments that feel profound due to their scarcity. Characters grapple with denial of The Vessel's dying state or find solace in accepting the inevitable.
Visual Style: MIO employs a unique 3D game using 2D techniques with watercolor shading layered beneath sketchbook line work that defines edges and crisscrosses shadows. This visual style originates from the studio's previous game, Shady Part of Me, but here pushed even further. Surfaces seem to almost repaint and redraw themselves in response to light—a technical achievement that makes MIO stand out among its contemporaries.
Game Videos
MIO: Memories in Orbit - Gameplay Trailer
MIO: Memories in Orbit - Gameplay Showcase
Mio: Memories in Orbit – The Wheel and Secret Ending, Explained
Austin strongly recommends: 'MIO: Memories in Orbit' (Review)
Core Mechanics
- •Allocation Matrix: Memory slot management system for abilities, UI elements, and features
- •Hairpin Grapple: Essential traversal tool available early in the game
- •Combat Arsenal: Orbs (projectiles), decoy clones, and melee attacks
- •Seamless World: Unlike traditional 2D Metroidvanias with separate rooms, MIO features one seamless world that immerses you in a real coherent space
- •3D Camera Interaction: Rotate the camera to peer behind objects and discover hidden pathways without invisible walls
- •No Contact Damage: Every hit feels fair—damage comes from inability to react, not from bumping enemies
- •Resource Management: Collect Liquid Nacre (lost on death) or convert to Solid Nacre (permanent) at conversion robots
- •Energy System: Grappling requires full energy, gliding drains gradually—restore by staying grounded or attacking enemies/environmental objects
Game Content
- •30+ Enemy Units: Various robotic foes throughout The Vessel
- •19 Boss Battles: 6 story bosses and 13 optional bosses including Shii, Calderon, Sol & Vin, FLORA, The Last Embedders, Twisted Baron
- •Multiple Endings: Standard ending and True Ending path
- •100% Completion: Approximately 20-25 hours (Difficulty: 6/10)
Game Duration & Quick Start
Playtime Estimates
New Player Quick Start
- 1.Read the Beginner's Guide to understand core mechanics
- 2.Follow the Complete Walkthrough for step-by-step guidance
- 3.Check Builds & Loadouts for modifier recommendations
- 4.Use the MIO map and interactive map to find every area and collectible
- 5.Explore Secrets & Easter Eggs for hidden content
Quick Navigation
How To
Reach Crucible, Celestial Bay, The Pit, save Mel, unlock map
Beginner's Guide
Learn the basics and core mechanics
Map & Interactive Map
Full map links, The Vessel areas, Celestial Bay guide
Complete Walkthrough
Step-by-step guide from start to finish
Builds & Loadouts
Best modifier builds for different playstyles
Secrets & Easter Eggs
Hidden areas, Pearl Records, and secrets
Boss Guides
Strategies for all 19 bosses
Collectibles
Find all items and upgrades
Endings
How to unlock all endings
Modifiers
All 42 modifiers guide
Trophies
Complete trophy guide
Critical Reception
OpenCritic: 81% of critics recommend. Notable reviews: Destructoid 9/10 — "A gorgeous platformer for the relentlessly curious"; Game Informer 8.75/10 — visual aesthetic and exploration highlighted; Nintendo Life 8/10 — "Compelling adventure with solid platforming and combat."
MIO has received "generally favorable" reviews (Metacritic). Critics praise its unique mechanics, hand-drawn art style, environmental storytelling, and engaging exploration. Sources: Metacritic, OpenCritic (January 2026).
Game Information
Release Information
- Developer: Douze Dixièmes (France)
- Publisher: Focus Entertainment
- Director: Oscar Blumberg
- Writer: Tom Ariaudo
- Composer: Nicolas Gueguen
- Genre: Metroidvania, Action-Adventure
- Platforms: Steam (PC), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2
- Release Date: January 20, 2026 (WW)
- Price: $19.99 USD / €19.99 EUR
Announced June 2024 (Nintendo Direct); originally planned for 2025, delayed to January 2026.
Available Platforms
MIO: Memories in Orbit is available on multiple platforms including Steam (PC), Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game offers consistent gameplay experience across all platforms with the same hand-drawn art style and unique Allocation Matrix system.
Platform Updates: The Switch 2 version was newly announced in December 2025. Previously announced PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions are no longer planned, though the original Nintendo Switch version is still coming.
Demo: A PC demo is available on Steam and other platforms (2-3 hours long), allowing players to try the beginning of the game with a secret area and major challenge to discover before purchasing.
Learn more about platforms →Game Features
- Visual Style: 3D game using 2D techniques with watercolor shading and sketchbook line work. Visual style originates from studio's previous game, Shady Part of Me. Surfaces repaint and redraw themselves in response to light.
- Unique Allocation Matrix system
- Seamless world design (not separate rooms like traditional Metroidvanias)
- Fluid platforming with energy-based movement system
- Aerial combat with jump reset mechanics (hitting enemies resets your jump)
- No contact damage—every hit feels fair
- Powerful projectile attacks (Orbs)
- Decoy clones for strategic combat
- Environmental storytelling through text bubbles and notes
- 75-track soundtrack featuring contemplative low-fi synth that complements every zone, with increased BPM for boss encounters
Difficulty & Gameplay
MIO: Memories in Orbit is intentionally designed to be challenging. The game has a difficulty rating of 6/10, though the difficulty curve can be inconsistent. Players are expected to die frequently—this is part of the intended experience. The game tests reflexes and patience but rewards mastery of MIO's abilities.
Target Audience: MIO appeals to fans of challenging titles like Hollow Knight, Celeste, and Dead Cells. The game starts slow (first few hours with basic abilities), and MIO is quite fragile. However, assist modes are available: Corrupted Boss Mode (bosses weaken after each death, inspired by Hades' God Mode), Pacifist Mode (enemies don't attack unless you attack them), and a regenerating health pip when grounded (also available as an upgrade). These options don't disable trophies or achievements. Accessibility options can be found in Settings > Accessibility.
Unique Mechanics: MIO features no contact damage, very few enemy gauntlets, and no bosses that summon loads of extra mobs. The game's max health may decrease during playthrough (one point at a time), which is a narrative-linked mechanic representing the passage of time and The Vessel's gradual deterioration—balanced around this mechanic by the developers.
Game Duration: Main story takes approximately 25 hours (including True Ending). 100% completion (trophies/achievements) takes 20-25 hours. Reviews highlight the game's unique mechanics, beautiful hand-drawn art style, challenging platforming, and engaging exploration of The Vessel.