MIO: Memories in Orbit Review

 

Platform Played: Xbox Series X
Developer: Douze Dixièmes
Publisher: Focus Entertainment
Genre: Metroidvania
Completion Status (How Long to Beat): Yes (17 hours)

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a masterfully crafted Metroidvania that distinguishes itself through a breathtaking painterly art style. The experience is defined by a well-designed map that offers clear indicators of unexplored territory, facilitating an exploration loop that feels both rewarding and intuitive. Central to this journey is a robust set of traversal abilities that perfectly straddle the line between weightiness and floatiness, allowing the character to navigate the world with incredible precision. These mechanics are put to the test in brutally difficult platforming gauntlets reminiscent of Celeste, requiring the player to maintain focus and mechanical finesse. The game's combat is tight, featuring high-quality boss encounters with readable attack patterns that demand mastery of MIO's diverse movement abilities. A late-game modification, though missable, serves as a transformative addition that alleviates the frustration of the most arduous platforming sections and adds a new dimension to these boss fights. The modification feels so crucial and begs the question, why wasn't this modification available to the player earlier? The pacing is occasionally hindered by unengaging runbacks after defeat; unlike the seamless extensions seen in genre peers, MIO’s runbacks often feel like a chore, forcing players through elevators and uninspired map sections. Despite these minor lulls, the palpable excitement of unlocking permanent upgrades makes for a premier Metroidvania experience that celebrates the joy of discovery.

Pros:

• Beautiful oil painterly art style is a major highlight.
• Well-designed map with clear indications of unexplored areas.
• Brutally difficult but rewarding platforming with fantastic character physics.
• High-quality boss fights with readable, fair patterns.
• Rewarding permanent traversal upgrades and impactful modifications.

Cons:

• Frustrating runbacks that often feel like a chore.
• Crucial late-game modifications can be missed.

One More Try Factors:
Two of the biggest signs that I’m really enjoying a game are how hard it is to stop playing and how much I’m itching to jump back in when I’m not playing.

Difficulty to Stop Playing: 9/10
Desire to Return: 9/10

Note: These scores reflect my personal engagement with the game and are separate from the overall score, which considers all aspects of the game.

Overall Score: 9/10