MIO: Memories in Orbit

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a 2.5D side-scrolling Metroidvania platformer developed by Douze Dixièmes and published by Focus Entertainment. It launched on 20 January 2026 for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. Players control a robot named Mio as they explore The Vessel, a spaceship now run entirely by robots after the human travelers died.

In terms of gameplay, Mio has a finite number of hit points called layers of protection. Once all layers are gone, Mio is one hit from death, but more can be found during the game. Periodically, tremors from something called The Heart permanently remove a layer. New abilities—like wall climbing, dodging, grappling enemies, and gliding—are learned from a centipede-like robot named Samsk, who appears at multiple spots, usually after major events like boss fights. Combat emphasizes aerial moves: striking any enemy restores Mio’s double-jump. Players can buy and equip modifiers similar to Hollow Knight’s charm system, which boost certain abilities (for example, more damage per lost layer of protection). Each modifier costs a certain number of slots based on its quality; some modifiers are negative, like removing all layers of protection, but grant extra slots.

When Mio dies, all Nacre (the currency used for modifiers and upgrades) is lost and given to an NPC named Shii. Early on, Shii is the only way to check the map. After enough Nacre is lost, Shii gives permanent map access anywhere. Fast travel is handled by devices called overseers, which also serve as save points and update the map. Upon death, Mio respawns at the last overseer used. Early in the game, only one overseer exists, making it the sole respawn point. As more of The Vessel is explored, additional overseers appear, but they remain sparse and spread out.

The story takes place aboard The Vessel, a ship originally meant to guide humans—called travelers—to a new planet. After the travelers died, robots now run everything. The voices, which are travelers’ minds implanted into pearls through a process called embedding, are weakening because The Heart—the Voice that gives life to the robot inhabitants—is decaying. This decay causes robots to temporarily disconnect from the system, leading to damage or death.