MIO: Memories in Orbit Review – A Beautiful Nightmare

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a game of striking contradictions. On the surface, it is one of the most visually arresting indie titles of early 2026, promising a poetic journey through the stars. Beneath that beautiful shell, however, beats a mechanical heart that is often cruel, unforgiving, and occasionally unfair. Is the journey through this derelict Ark worth the stress? Welcome to the review.

The premise of MIO: Memories in Orbit is a classic setup for the genre. We awaken as a small robot, MIO, on a colossal, inactive spaceship, the Ark, drifting through the endless void. The vessel has gone dark, its inhabitants have either gone mad or been consumed by rogue machines, and it is up to us to uncover the mystery of why the Ark stopped functioning. The narrative is delivered in a style that fans of FromSoftware will recognize immediately: fragmented, cryptic, and requiring effort to piece together.

The story touches on existential themes regarding consciousness – are we a robot gaining a soul, or a cosmic spirit inhabiting a shell? It is a fascinating puzzle, though the delivery can sometimes feel disjointed. NPCs often speak in riddles or half-sentences, and the “lore” is buried in item descriptions. It works for the atmosphere, but don’t expect a straightforward plot.

A Painting That Hurts You

If there is one aspect where MIO undeniably shines, it is the audiovisual presentation. The game is a 2.5D spectacle that looks like a moving oil painting. The art direction draws clear inspiration from titles like Gris or Ori and the Will of the Wisps, blending industrial sci-fi architecture with strange, bio-punk organic matter. The animations are fluid and hand-crafted, making every movement a joy to watch. The soundtrack complements this perfectly, with synth-heavy, melancholic tunes that evoke the loneliness of space, reminiscent of Stranger Things or Halo.

However, this artistic commitment causes gameplay issues. The beautiful, bushy “red grass” that damages the player is a prime example; because it moves and sways, its hitbox is unclear. Sometimes you pass through it safely; other times, you take damage without seemingly touching it. In a game with limited health, this lack of visual clarity is a significant flaw.

The Soulslike Trap

MIO positions itself as a hybrid of a Metroidvania and a Soulslike. You have a vast, interconnected world to explore, abilities to unlock (like grappling hooks and wall jumps), and a currency system, Pearl Drops, that you lose upon death.

The exploration is satisfying at first, but it quickly reveals the game’s biggest problem: it doesn’t respect your time. Save points are frustratingly scarce. In modern Soulslikes like Elden Ring, checkpoints are usually placed right before bosses to encourage learning through repetition. MIO takes a step backward. Dying to a boss often means a tedious, two-minute runback through enemies you’ve already defeated.

Combat is precise and punchy, and the bosses are the highlight of the gameplay. They are distinct, challenging, and utilize the arena in creative ways (like activating fans or destroying platforms). Yet, the joy of mastering a boss pattern is often sapped by the punishment of failure. Losing all your currency because you couldn’t make it back to your “bloodstain,” combined with the inability to fast travel easily (fast travel points are rare and illogically placed), creates a loop that feels more stressful than rewarding.

There is a lack of synergy in the game’s systems. You might finish a grueling boss fight with 1 HP and want to save, but the nearest checkpoint is miles away. You are often forced to choose between pushing forward into the unknown or trekking all the way back just to bank your currency. It leads to a “safety-first” playstyle that discourages the very exploration the game wants you to enjoy.