Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 83 | 200 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 83% | 77 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 82 | 95 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 84% | 77 | 1935 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Mar 12, 2026) · 300 reviews sampled · 1935 total reviews in window · weighted 234.1 up / 30.5 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (133)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“MIO: Memories in Orbit is as beautiful as it is punishing. With an abundance of adventure, solid gameplay and music that’ll make your ears tingle, it’s an excellent addition to the Metroidvania genre, only the combat falls a little short.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“MIO: Memories in Orbit is a visual and auditory masterpiece that offers a solid, if occasionally frustrating, Metroidvania experience. With a distinct art style, a compelling "chip" customization system, and satisfying traversal (once unlocked), it stands as a strong entry in the genre. However, slow pacing, backtracking issues, and some odd combat design choices keep it from perfection.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Memories in Orbit delivers outstanding atmosphere and exploration, held back slightly by combat that never quite evolves.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“MIO: Memories in Orbit features a beautiful and artistic world, inspired by paintings, comics, and sci-fi, that is rewarding to explore, and the combat is satisfying. It ticks all the green signals of a brilliant Metroidvania and is the perfect game to start your 2026 list of great games to complete. The levels are brilliantly designed, and the enemies are challenging and look cool. It also features an excellent soundtrack with a brilliant audio design that completes an amazing Metroidvania experience. It is still an indie game, and some elements do tend to show that. Still, I loved playing it, and if you like playing Metroidvania titles, MIO: Memories in Orbit is the perfect game for you to jump into.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MIO: Memories in Orbit is an example of a safe and very player-friendly Metroidvania with medium-difficulty bosses and flexible difficulty settings.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Douze Dixièmes' Metroidvania boasts breathtaking visuals in an experience that stands out thanks to its distinct identity. MIO: Memories in Orbit is an experience that captures the essence of what makes a Metroidvania great: the joy of discovery and personal growth in a hostile yet beautiful world. It’s a game that left a lasting impression on me thanks to its fantastic art style.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A sense of environmental storytelling similarly drives MIO, justifying the scale of the massive biomes and the sometimes frustrating ways in which you have to backtrack through them. It’s necessary to force players to repeatedly take a minute-long elevator ride into and out of The Vessel’s depths, because it drives home just how big (and how empty) it is. Hopeless as things may seem, even the comparatively small Mio is still capable of carrying a spark of hope.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MIO is a compelling adventure with solid platforming and combat. The Vessel is a great place to explore and the mod system adds versatility. A great Metroidvania, then, though its similarities to genre heavyweights stop it from being essential. If you are in the mood for another tightly designed Metroidvania on Switch, however, this is an easy recommendation.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MIO tries to shake up the Metroidvania formula in a few interesting ways. Some of its design choices may not appeal to everyone at first, but the challenge ultimately pays off. Fans of the genre willing to stick with it will likely find something to enjoy.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MIO Memories in Orbit doesn’t try to reinvent the Metroidvania genre. It refines it with confidence, style, and a clear creative vision. If you value atmosphere, exploration, and movement that feels genuinely satisfying, this is absolutely worth your time.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Finishing MIO: Memories in Orbit leaves an impression that is hard to define immediately, yet profoundly resonant. The game does not rely on spectacular set pieces or dramatic climaxes; its impact is cumulative, emerging through a slow, deepening relationship between the player and the world. Rather than imposing its rhythm, it invites the player to adapt to its measured pace. Immersion is the game’s defining strength. The orbital station is not merely a backdrop to traverse, it is a space to engage with, revealing itself gradually and rewarding careful observation. Progression is equally thoughtful. Abilities are acquired gradually, reshaping how spaces are perceived and experienced. Returning to familiar areas with new capabilities transforms them into fresh opportunities for discovery, sustaining a sense of growth and maintaining engagement even in later stages. The game’s consistency is remarkable. Every element, from art direction and sound design to level layout, aligns with a cohesive vision. At no point does the game compromise its identity or resort to conventional shortcuts, ensuring clarity and integrity throughout. However, this unwavering focus may feel inflexible to those who do not connect with its design language. Emotionally, MIO: Memories in Orbit leaves a subtle but lasting impact. Its narrative is understated, relying on atmosphere, silence, and environmental storytelling rather than overt drama. The game’s emotional resonance often emerges retrospectively, revealing the depth of its reflective, contemplative design. The game’s limitations are purposeful. Combat is deliberately restrained, and its measured pacing may test players accustomed to fast-paced action or varied gameplay. Likewise, the fragmented, interpretive narrative challenges those who favor clear, linear storytelling. Far from being shortcomings, these design choices are intentional, shaping the game’s distinctive character and contemplative identity.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“There will be a lot of familiar elements to those with prior metroidvania experience, and while they’re all implemented serviceably, they simply don’t do as much heavy lifting as the platforming, world building, and music.”
read full review ↗
TheBigBois
TheReviewGeek
GamesHedge
GameMAG
La Orden del Pixel
Slant Magazine
Nintendo Life
PLAY Zine
Invision Community
Indie Games Devel
Gamer Escape…and 121 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Patch 2 now live!Mar 12, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.2 is live!Feb 6, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Autumn Devblog 🍂Dec 5, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- MIO: Memories in Orbit’s Demo: Major UpdateDec 4, 2025significant · resets scoring window