One of the first major indie releases of 2026 has arrived, attempting to capture the magic of genre giants like Hollow Knight within a sci-fi shell. MIO: Memories In Orbit, released on 20th January 2026, is a punishing new Soulslike Metroidvania that swaps bugs for robots, but struggles to balance its beautiful presentation with consistently enjoyable gameplay.
A Stunning but Oblique Sci-Fi World
Developed by Douze Dixièmes and published by Focus Entertainment, MIO places you in the role of a miniature robot aboard a vast, decaying spaceship. The narrative is deliberately opaque, with your own memories faded and fellow robots driven to madness. While the setup can feel overly cryptic, it is presented with undeniable artistry.
The game's visual style is a standout feature. Beginning in muted, grey sci-fi corridors, the world gradually bursts into colour as you explore, showcasing a gorgeous watercolour aesthetic. In terms of pure visual splendour, MIO arguably surpasses even Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Brutal Difficulty and Flawed Systems
Where MIO firmly plants its flag is in its uncompromising challenge. The difficulty, in both precision platforming and dodge-heavy combat, is immediately comparable to the hardest Soulslikes. It employs familiar mechanics, such as retrieving lost resources upon death and sometimes lengthy treks back to boss arenas.
The platforming itself is fluid and elegant, channelling the feel of games like Ori and the Blind Forest. However, it quickly escalates to "toe-curlingly difficult" levels. An interesting perk system offers a wide array of collectible upgrades to ease platforming and combat, rewarding thorough exploration. Yet, a harsh limitation on how many perks can be active at once proves a constant source of irritation, forcing tough choices like displaying your health or an enemy's.
New abilities that unlock areas are satisfying to find but largely unoriginal, including staples like a grapple hook. The game's structure also falters in making backtracking feel triumphant; more often, you retread ground out of confusion or for mundane fetch quests.
Final Verdict: Beauty Versus Frustration
Priced at £15.99 and available on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, MIO is a fascinating case study. In strict gameplay terms, its quality is close to that of Hollow Knight and its sequel. It boasts amazing visuals, a clever, multi-path map, and a great low-key soundtrack.
Yet, the experience is consistently marred by elements that feel off the mark. The punishing platforming, restrictive upgrade system, and overly oblique storytelling create a barrier to full enjoyment. It demonstrates how subtle differences in design philosophy can separate a modern classic from a flawed also-ran.
GameCentral's final score is a 7 out of 10. MIO: Memories In Orbit is a strikingly beautiful and competent Metroidvania, but one whose frustrations often eclipse its considerable artistic achievements.
