The indie game that will kick off the new year of 2026, ‘MIO: Memories in Orbit’ (hereafter referred to as MIO), was officially released on January 20th. Developed by French indie studio Douze Dixièmes and published by Focus Entertainment, this work has set a new standard for the Metroidvania genre and is receiving rave reviews from gamers.
A mystical journey aboard the spaceship ‘Vessel’
Gamers take on the role of the agile android MIO, exploring a massive spaceship drifting through space called “The Vessel.” Once managed by AI administrators called “Pearls,” the cutting-edge technology has now become a ruin overgrown with overgrown plants and runaway machines. To prevent an imminent “complete shutdown,” MIO must explore the labyrinthine depths of the ship, recover his lost memories, and uncover the truth behind its collapse.
Watercolor-like visuals and captivating soundtrack
The game’s most striking feature is its beautiful, hand-drawn visuals. The use of pastel tones and watercolor-like textures has been praised for bringing every scene to life. This unique artistic approach, inspired by manga, paintings, and animation, is more than enough to give each biotome a distinct personality.
The soundtrack is also a highlight. A unique and dynamic soundtrack that blends low-pitched beats with choral melodies, it perfectly captures both the tranquil moments of exploration and the intense battles, adding to the game’s appeal. Some reviewers even named it one of the best game soundtracks of early 2026.
Challenging platforming and strategic combat, with a ‘high’ difficulty level.
MIO combines sophisticated platforming with dynamic combat. Players must navigate increasingly complex environments while acquiring game-changing abilities like grappling hooks, aerial gliding, and spider-like wall-climbing. Featuring over 30 enemy types and 15 powerful bosses, players can customize MIO’s abilities to suit their playstyle.
The game’s difficulty is quite challenging. The difficulty level increases rapidly towards the middle and end of the game, which may be a barrier for some gamers. However, Metroidvania enthusiasts will find it a fun and challenging element.
Vessel is a vast labyrinth, designed like a living organism, with intricately interconnected areas with distinct ecosystems and architectural styles. Repairing damaged robots, interacting with the environment, and uncovering Vessel’s past and secrets is a rewarding experience, but the high degree of freedom it offers can also be a double-edged sword. The game’s lack of clear guidance can easily lead to lost thoughts, leading to aimless wandering and wasted time.
Critics’ reactions were generally favorable, and it went beyond the limitations of its predecessor.
According to Metacritic, the game received generally favorable reviews. On Steam, it received 79% positive reviews out of 472 reviews, with Destructoid giving it a rave review of 9/10, and Polygon calling it the perfect embodiment of the Metroidvania genre.
Interestingly, MIO was born as a kind of reaction to its predecessor. Producer Sarah Hourcade said, “After four years of making the same puzzle game, I got tired of it. I knew all the puzzles and all the answers, so it wasn’t fun anymore. But MIO, even after hundreds of hours of testing, doesn’t get boring.”
While its predecessor, Shady Part of Me, was a linear, introspective puzzle game, MIO marks a clear shift toward a more interactive, open-ended, and challenging experience. The team has stated that they were inspired by games like Sekiro, Ori, and Hollow Knight, but reimagined them in their own unique way.
A vision realized with our own engine
Another hallmark of Douze Dixièmes is their commitment to developing their own engines. The studio exclusively uses their own engines, prioritizing the game’s graphics, rendering, and cultural message. For this MIO project, they developed a dedicated engine, allowing them complete freedom to implement all aspects of the game.
“We wanted to capture everything we love about the game,” said Sarah Hourcade. “We combined a genre we’re passionate about with challenging mechanics, a mysterious sci-fi world, and a strong visual identity made possible by our own engine.”
From demo play first, one of the games you shouldn’t miss in the first half of 2026
MIO is available on PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2. It’s included with Xbox Game Pass from day one and can also be played on Steam Deck. You can also try a 2-3 hour demo before purchasing the game.
While MIO: Memories in Orbit doesn’t offer any truly groundbreaking innovations, it manages to stand out through its solid fundamentals, flawless presentation, and challenging and diverse gameplay. The game’s stunning visuals, captivating soundtrack, and sophisticated platforming are its hallmarks. For gamers who enjoy Metroidvanias, enjoy challenging difficulty, and appreciate artistic flair, this is undoubtedly a must-play indie title released in the first half of 2026.
What about the French indie game powerhouse **Douze Dixièmes**?
Douze Dixièmes, meaning “12/10” in French, is a French indie studio founded in 2017 in Saint-Ouen, Paris. Comprised of creators with a background in animated films and video games, the studio boasts a hybrid team of artists who strive to tell visually striking and emotionally compelling stories.
Founded by seven equal co-founders, the studio’s first game was Shady Part of Me, which was announced at The Game Awards in December 2020 and immediately released. This puzzle platformer game received rave reviews from both press and players for its unique mechanics that shift between 2D and 3D gameplay, shifting between light and shadow, its watercolor-style visuals, and its emotional narrative.
The success of ‘Shady Part of Me’ led to the acquisition of Focus Entertainment in October 2021, and the second title, MIO, which was released on January 20, 2026, has been recognized for its quality, surpassing approximately 2,200 concurrent users within a few days of its Steam release.
| division | Key Contents |
| Studio name | Douze Dixièmes |
| Representative and Director | George Hiro Herrmann |
| Year of establishment | 2017 |
| scale | About 16 people (as of 2025) |
| Key milestones | • 2017: A studio was founded in Saint-Ouen, France, by animation filmmakers and game developers. • 2020: Started to receive critical acclaim with the release of his debut album, Shady Part of Me. • 2024: New game “MIO: Memories in Orbit” revealed for the first time through Nintendo Direct • 2026: Global release of the second major title, MIO: Memories in Orbit |
| Official website | https://pullupent.com/en/entities/douze-dixiemes?utm_source=chatgpt.com |
| Official Trailer | Official Gameplay Trailer |
| Steam page | Steam Store |
