MIO: Memories in Orbit Stands Out Through Artful Metroidvania Design

MIO: Memories in Orbit is establishing itself as one of the most talked-about Metroidvania releases of the year, earning widespread praise for its artistic ambition and carefully constructed gameplay. Developed by French studio Douze Dixièmes, the game combines genre-familiar mechanics with a strong creative identity, resulting in an experience that feels both comforting to long-time fans and distinctive enough to stand apart in an increasingly competitive field.

Amazing visuals and unique art style

One of the game's defining strengths is its visual presentation. MIO: Memories in Orbit adopts a hand-drawn, painterly art style that gives the impression of an illustrated sci-fi fable brought to life. Characters, environments, and animations blend soft watercolor tones with bold line work, creating scenes that feel deliberate and expressive rather than purely technical. Each area of the massive derelict spaceship known as the Vessel carries its own color palette and visual mood, reinforcing a sense of discovery and emotional progression as players move deeper into the world.

Beneath its striking surface, MIO: Memories in Orbit delivers a well-crafted Metroidvania structure. Players control MIO, an android who awakens without memories and must explore the interconnected sections of the Vessel to recover lost abilities. Progression is driven by exploration and mastery of movement, with new skills opening previously inaccessible paths and encouraging thoughtful backtracking. The map design is dense but readable, rewarding curiosity with secrets, optional challenges, and environmental storytelling that enriches the overall experience.

Gameplay balances fluid platforming with deliberate combat. Movement is precise and responsive, making traversal a central pleasure of the experience, while combat emphasizes positioning and timing rather than overwhelming complexity. Importantly, the game includes accessibility and assist options that allow players to adjust difficulty without undermining the core design, broadening its appeal to a wider audience while preserving its intended challenge.

Narratively, MIO: Memories in Orbit favors subtlety over exposition. Story elements are revealed gradually through visual cues, environmental details, and sparse dialogue, allowing players to piece together the history of the Vessel and MIO’s place within it. This understated approach complements the game’s melancholic tone and is reinforced by an atmospheric soundtrack that adapts seamlessly between exploration and combat, enhancing immersion without drawing attention away from the world itself.

What ultimately makes MIO: Memories in Orbit stand out is the cohesion between its artistic vision and its mechanical foundation. While it does not radically reinvent the Metroidvania formula, it refines and presents it with a level of aesthetic care and thematic consistency that elevates the overall experience. In a genre crowded with competent but visually similar entries, MIO distinguishes itself through mood, identity, and presentation.

How does it compare to others?

MIO: Memories in Orbit rises as a solid option when compared to established Metroidvania hits by excelling in artistic identity and atmosphere rather than mechanical reinvention. While titles like Hollow Knight stand out for demanding, fast-paced combat and Ori and the Will of the Wisps for fluid movement and emotional storytelling, MIO: Memories in Orbit distinguishes itself through its hand-painted visual style, subdued tone, and cohesive world design.

In terms of exploration and structure, the game adheres closely to genre standards, delivering a well-crafted interconnected world without significantly redefining the formula. Combat is more deliberate and accessible than in some genre leaders, supported by difficulty options that broaden its appeal. Ultimately, MIO: Memories in Orbit may not surpass the genre's biggest names in raw mechanical innovation, but its strong artistic vision and atmospheric storytelling position it as a standout entry and a potential reference point for future Metroidvanias. 

With strong critical reception and early enthusiasm from players, MIO: Memories in Orbit shows clear potential to become a defining title within the modern Metroidvania landscape. Its blend of beautiful art direction, thoughtful exploration, and accessible yet engaging design positions it not just as a notable release, but as a game that could influence how future titles in the genre approach visual storytelling and atmosphere. As usual, you can use our comparator to find the cheapest deals for MIO: Memories in Orbit if you can't wait to begin this epic journey.