Why MIO: Memories in Orbit Is Trending
Released in January 2026 by French indie studio Douze Dixièmes, MIO: Memories in Orbit quickly became the go-to recommendation in metroidvania communities. Reddit's r/metroidvania erupted with praise — posts calling it "one of the best metroidvanias I've played" and "a stellar, grueling game of perseverance" accumulated thousands of upvotes within weeks of launch.
You play as MIO, an android exploring the Vessel — a massive technological ark now overrun with rogue machines. The game blends surreal, painterly visuals with tight combat and precisely designed exploration. Metacritic critics praised its "rock-solid foundations, immaculate presentation, and demanding, multifaceted gameplay loop." If you've been waiting for a top-tier metroidvania in 2026, this is it.
Key Stats
Trending in the Steam — category with 632 concurrent players and +216/wk followers gained this week.
What Players Are Saying
✅ Reasons to Play
- Breathtaking surreal art style — one of the most visually beautiful MVs in recent memory
- Tight, responsive controls with satisfying exploration and ability unlocks
- Precisely built map with exciting boss fights and rewarding backtracking
❌ Things to Consider
- Challenging difficulty with no difficulty options — not for casual players
- Some players find the learning curve steep in early game
- Relatively short story for completionists who prefer longer narratives
What the Community Is Saying
Mark my words: this is one of those games that's misunderstood at release time, but will go on to be a classic one day. Slight edits after beating the game 100% and getting all achievements: Very surprised by all the negative reviews because this game's fantastic and does not…
fantastic metroidvania. I don't find it nearly as punishing as most reviews are stating. the boss fights have very clear tells and plenty of time to react. They do have a lot of health though so they demand that you have endurance and can dodge their attacks for a fair amount of…
No idea why this game has so many negative reviews, genuinely one of the best metroidvanias I've ever played ans absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. You're doing yourself a disservice for not playing it. EDIT: After reaching the ending I changed my mind, it's actually a masterpiece
This is literally my first review ever. i feel like i should give it one because i've been seeing so many negative reviews and comments from people who... just don't like the genre i guess?? this is a metroidvania/precision plattformer, with focus on the plattforming over the…
This game nearly ruins itself with a late game mechanic of permanently reducing your health. It's really unfortunate because the game has a really good natural difficulty curve, where the fights ramp up in difficulty by increasing the complexity of enemies attacks, and…
As the game progresses you constantly lose max health for "plot reasons." Instead of exploration being meaningful and interesting the game deliberately punishes you for it instead. Getter better through exploration? Meaningful combat upgrades? All the genre staples that make a…
Should You Play MIO: Memories in Orbit?
MIO: Memories in Orbit holds mostly positive reviews on Steam with a 84% positive rating, generally well-regarded by players. It attracts 632 players at its recent 24-hour peak, showing strong player retention for a — title. While not universally loved, the majority of players find it worth their time.
MIO: Memories in Orbit is mid-range priced at $19.99 on Steam, developed by Douze Dixièmes. Players who enjoy the — genre and want something currently trending on Steam will find MIO: Memories in Orbit worth checking out.
Should You Play MIO: Memories in Orbit?
MIO: Memories in Orbit holds mostly positive reviews on Steam with a 84% positive rating, generally well-regarded by players. It attracts 632 players at its recent 24-hour peak, showing strong player retention for a — title. While not universally loved, the majority of players find it worth their time.
MIO: Memories in Orbit is mid-range priced at $19.99 on Steam, developed by Douze Dixièmes. Players who enjoy the — genre and want something currently trending on Steam will find MIO: Memories in Orbit worth checking out.
Is MIO: Memories in Orbit Worth Playing in 2026?
Is MIO: Memories in Orbit worth playing in 2026?
Absolutely, if you're a fan of the metroidvania genre. MIO has been described by the r/metroidvania community as "one of the best metroidvanias I've played," with rock-solid foundations, immaculate presentation, and a rewarding exploration loop. It's a strong contender for one of 2026's best indie games.
How difficult is MIO: Memories in Orbit?
MIO is challenging — reviewers call it "punishing but fair." Boss fights are demanding and the game expects you to learn patterns. There are no difficulty settings, so players looking for a casual experience may find it frustrating. Metroidvania veterans will feel right at home.
How long does it take to beat MIO: Memories in Orbit?
A typical playthrough takes 12–18 hours. Completionists hunting all secrets and upgrades can expect 20+ hours in the expansive Vessel map. The game's non-linear structure rewards backtracking as you unlock new abilities.
What makes MIO: Memories in Orbit stand out from other metroidvanias?
MIO stands out for its strikingly beautiful surreal art style — often compared to Shady Part of Me — and its tight, responsive controls. The world design, called the Vessel, is a massive technological ark filled with machines gone rogue, giving it a unique sci-fi atmosphere rarely seen in the genre.
Is it free to play?
No, MIO: Memories in Orbit costs $19.99 on Steam. It is not a free-to-play game, though Steam sales occasionally offer discounts.
How many people play MIO: Memories in Orbit?
Player counts for MIO: Memories in Orbit vary. It appears in TrendingGames.gg's top-1000 tracked games, indicating active Steam followers and community interest.
