“MIO: Memories In Orbit” Review by Nick Navarro
Drifting through a dying spacecraft swallowed by vines and malfunctioning machines, “MIO: Memories In Orbit” immediately establishes itself as a meditation on decay, memory, and quiet resilience. From the moment I take control of MIO, a nimble android awakening inside the massive Vessel, the game frames exploration as something intimate rather than urgent. This enormous technological ark floats aimlessly through space, its original purpose long forgotten, its systems failing, and its once-reliable AI caretakers, the Pearls, now mysteriously silent. Instead of pushing me forward with constant objectives or exposition, the game encourages observation and curiosity, allowing the story of the Vessel to emerge gradually through its crumbling environments and the fragments of life still clinging to its halls.
As previously mentioned, you play as MIO, a nimble android who awakens inside the Vessel, a colossal spaceship drifting through space with no clear destination and no functioning caretakers left to guide it. The ship was once overseen by the Pearls, its AI custodians, but they’ve mysteriously ceased operating, leaving the Vessel on the brink of total shutdown. Rather than dumping exposition all at once, the game lets its story unfold naturally through exploration, environmental details, and interactions with the few damaged robots still clinging to functionality. It’s a narrative that thrives on restraint, trusting me to connect the dots instead of spelling everything out. Exploration is where “MIO: Memories In Orbit” truly shines. The Vessel is designed as a massive, interconnected labyrinth that constantly loops back on itself in smart and surprising ways. New paths reveal themselves gradually as I earn movement upgrades, encouraging frequent backtracking without making it feel entirely like a chore. Each region has its own visual identity, ecosystem, and architectural logic, making the ship feel less like a collection of levels and more like a living organism slowly decaying from within.
Movement plays a huge role in selling that sense of flow. MIO starts out relatively limited but steadily gains abilities such as a grappling hook, air gliding, and wall clinging that dramatically change how I navigate the environment. There’s a satisfying rhythm to chaining these abilities together once they click, even if the controls initially feel a bit floaty. That early awkwardness never fully disappears, but it becomes far less noticeable as I adjust and learn to work within the game’s physics. Combat, while not overly complex, is consistently engaging thanks to smart enemy design and solid encounter variety. I faced off against at least thirty different enemy types, each with distinct movement patterns and attack behaviors that demand attention rather than button mashing. Boss encounters, in particular, stand out as highlights. With fifteen guardian bosses scattered throughout the Vessel, these fights test timing, positioning, and adaptability without feeling unfair. Success usually comes from learning patterns and refining execution rather than grinding stats.
Customization adds another layer of depth to both combat and traversal. By scavenging components from enemies, I can modify MIO’s abilities in meaningful ways. The modifier system allows for genuine experimentation, whether that means turning the grappling hook into an offensive tool, sacrificing defense for higher damage output, or tweaking abilities to better suit my preferred playstyle. It’s flexible enough to encourage creativity without becoming overwhelming. Visually, the game is striking from start to finish. The hand-painted art style draws inspiration from comics, anime, and traditional illustration, resulting in a world that feels both alien and strangely intimate. Overgrown machinery, flickering lights, and lush vegetation coexist in a way that constantly reinforces the theme of nature reclaiming technology. Every area feels carefully composed, packed with small details that reward slow, attentive exploration.
The soundtrack complements the visuals beautifully. Blending lo-fi beats with choral melodies, the music enhances the game’s reflective tone without ever overpowering it. It often fades into the background just enough to let the atmosphere breathe, then subtly swells during key moments to heighten emotional impact. Combined with restrained sound design, it helps make the Vessel feel hauntingly serene. That said, the experience isn’t without its frustrations. The opening hours suffer slightly from some pacing issues, with progression feeling slower than it probably needs to be. Difficulty spikes also appear from time to time, and backtracking can occasionally test patience, especially before unlocking faster traversal options. These are familiar pain points for the genre, and while they never completely derail the experience, they can momentarily dull its momentum. Even so, “MIO: Memories In Orbit” manages to find its footing among the crowded Metroidvania genre by leaning into atmosphere, world-building, and player-driven discovery. It’s a game that rewards curiosity and patience, offering a steady sense of growth as confusion gives way to mastery. By the time I began uncovering the Vessel’s deeper secrets, I felt genuinely invested in its fate and in MIO’s place within it.
Despite a few mechanical quirks and early pacing hiccups, this is a beautifully crafted and thoughtfully designed experience. Its haunting narrative, strong visual identity, and satisfying progression systems make exploration consistently rewarding. For fans of atmospheric, exploration-driven platformers, “MIO: Memories In Orbit” is an orbit well worth getting caught in.
8.5/10
For more information, visit HERE
Related: Nick Navarro Reviews
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
More Stories
Bungie Announces March 5th Release Date for MARATHON, Voice Actors, Collector’s Edition, Plus More
A Closer Look at the Action and Terror of Resident Evil Requiem Revealed at Resident Evil Showcase!
Discover Runner Shells and Detailed Buildcrafting in Marathon’s Newest “Developer Insights” Video