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Most Metroidvanias share a similar aesthetic, such as tending to feature medieval, fantasy-esque worlds, often characterized by a fairly gloomy or vividly colorful setting. Naturally, there’s nothing bad about that. It is a style that works, with the gameplay elevating the familiar elements. However, we’ve seen the mold evolve a bit in recent years. Games like Ultros and ENDER MAGNOLIA have changed the Metroidvania landscape, bringing more alluring art styles and even better storytelling. The one that joins those ranks is MIO: Memories in Orbit, one of the most captivating games of this genre I’ve played and one I am eagerly awaiting its launch.
Into the Vessel
During my time with MIO: Memories in Orbit, I experienced several enemy encounters, a boss fight, and a few narrative breadcrumbs. The highlights of this preview were definitely the art style and the storytelling, even if the latter is still a bit mysterious.
MIO: Memories in Orbit has you take the role of an android who’s going around the Vessel, a spaceship overrun with machines that have gone rogue. As soon as I stepped into the Vessel and started roaming the corridors and talking with the damaged robotic denizens, I realized how similar this game felt to NieR: Automata, not only in the narrative but also in gameplay.
At a glance, you can see many machines around the ship with different internal conflicts, all wondering why the spaceship’s AI abandoned them. At the same time, your character is trying to discover why they are there and what led to the AI shutdown in this mesmerizing labyrinth. While my time with MIO was short, it was enough to kindle my curiosity for the story.
Gorgeous and Deadly
Regarding gameplay, there wasn’t a lot to try other than traversal options, basic combats, and a glimpse at the upgrade system. Traversal is terrific, with the Vessel feeling like a varied labyrinth full of hidden passages. The platforming part is a key part of MIO: Memories in Orbit, using a vertical design in almost every portion of the ship. The explorable areas were enormous, but exploring it all never felt like a drag. There are many areas that boost your speed, and there’s a grappling hook-like ability that lets you dash and jump higher to reach new areas.
Combat is similar to other Metroidvania games. You have your normal combo, directional attacks, and a few more things you can unlock as you get new upgrades. The upgrade system reminded me so much of NieR: Automata. Your Android can equip modules that unlock new functions like showing an enemy’s HP bar, giving you an extra protection layer, and even boosting your final hit in a combo. It was so similar to 2B’s chips, and I loved it. This system encourages player experimentation and adds an immersive layer that makes you feel like an actual Android that needs to change its modules depending on the situation.
Still, the biggest takeaway is the captivating art style of MIO: Memories in Orbit. It plays with cel-shading-like techniques and many pastel-like colors to give a vibe similar to a storybook. Also, despite taking place on a ship infested with killing machines, it never felt too gloomy, which I appreciate. A lot more Metroidvania games have moved away from the gray and dilapidated looks in favor of something more colorful and unique that feels beautiful while still maintaining the eeriness of the genre.
Metroidvania For All
Last but not least, MIO: Memories in Orbit attempts to make the game accessible for everyone. There were many accessibility options during the demo, which allowed me to tune the difficulty. Some included the option to let bosses keep the damage I dealt to them even after I died. Another, let me heal while standing still. This is a fantastic addition that will help those who’ve been too afraid to jump into a Metroidvania before.
As first impressions go, MIO: Memories in Orbit enthralled me in seconds. While I’m intrigued by its story, the smooth gameplay and mesmerizing art style were the ultimate highlights. Every element in MIO is crafted flawlessly, and while the final product is still far away, this upcoming title has caught my attention. Hopefully, the release date will arrive soon because I can’t wait to see all the mysteries that hide behind this hauntingly beautiful spaceship.
