Hollow Knight-Like Game MIO: Memories in Orbit Is Getting Rave Reviews

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The indie metroidvania game, MIO: Memories in Orbit, has launched to positive feedback from critics and players. Many people appreciate its art style, which is similar to the highly anticipated Hollow Knight: Silksong, but early reports show that MIO offers a unique experience and isn’t simply copying Team Cherry’s games.

This new game is just the second release from French studio Douze Dixiemes, known for their puzzle platformer Shady Part of Me, which came out in December 2020. It launched on January 20th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, and was also immediately available to play for Xbox Game Pass subscribers.

MIO: Memories in Orbit Debuts to Strong Reviews

Just four days after its launch, MIO: Memories in Orbit is receiving excellent reviews. OpenCritic currently gives the game a “Strong” rating, with an average score of 83 and a recommendation rate of 81% from 69 critics. This puts it in the top 9% of all games on the site. Players generally agree with the positive critical reception, giving the metroidvania a nearly 75% positive rating on Steam after more than 500 reviews. On PlayStation, the game has a 4.39-star rating, while Xbox users give it 3.3 stars. The lower score on Xbox may be due to the game being available through Game Pass, as titles in that subscription service sometimes receive lower user ratings.

MIO: Memories in Orbit Review Roundup

  • OpenCritic: 83 average score, 81% recommendation rate
  • Steam: 74.80% positive reviews
  • PS Store: 4.39 stars
  • Xbox Store: 3.3 stars

As a fan of metroidvanias, I’ve been hearing a lot about MIO, and reviewers keep bringing up Hollow Knight: Silksong – it seems like they see a lot of similarities in the art style and how the game plays. But what’s really cool is that MIO isn’t just trying to be Silksong; it’s doing its own thing! Most critics say it’s a bit easier overall, but still a really great experience. They especially loved exploring the world – the game really makes you feel rewarded for going off the beaten path and being curious. And the movement? Apparently, it’s super smooth and intuitive, which is awesome because so many games in this genre make you wait ages before you can really move around freely. It sounds like a really refreshing take on the formula!

Reviewers also praised the game’s fun and challenging platforming, and the boss battles were generally well-received, though not as strong. Many critics enjoyed learning and perfecting the tricky movement sections, which were enhanced by a fitting soundtrack. Combat was more inconsistent. While bosses weren’t as difficult as those in Silksong, some were criticized for using frustrating tricks and being difficult to control. One boss, about five hours into the game, received particular criticism for requiring difficult and awkward aerial maneuvers to defeat.

Many players find the game’s difficulty manageable thanks to optional accessibility features in MIO. One helpful feature gradually makes bosses easier each time you fail, while another gives you an extra life after tough platforming sections, letting you try again and again. Using these together can make the game much easier and prevent frustration. Like Hollow Knight: Silksong, MIO: Memories in Orbit has multiple endings to unlock one after another. According to data from HowLongToBeat, most players will reach the standard ending in around 15 hours, but unlocking the true ending will take considerably longer.

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2026-01-25 06:04