Catherine HuSummary: MIO: Memories in Orbit offers an engaging sci‑fi Metroidvania experience, with gameplay length varying based on exploration and side objectives, providing players with a rich adventure through the mysterious Vessel.
Curious about how long MIO: Memories in Orbit takes to complete? This sci‑fi Metroidvania has captivated players with its stunning art style, immersive exploration, and the mysterious Vessel waiting to be uncovered. Whether you’re focusing on the main story or aiming to complete every side quest, knowing the estimated playtime can help you plan your journey.
Additionally, tools like XMOD can enhance your experience on PC, allowing you to optimize performance, adjust quality-of-life features, and apply mods once full support becomes available.
In this guide, we break down how long MIO: Memories in Orbit really is, what influences playtime, and how XMOD can help you make the most of your adventure.
- What is MIO: Memories in Orbit?
- How long is MIO: Memories in Orbit?
- MIO: Memories in Orbit Progression Structure
- All Objectives in MIO: Memories in Orbit
- How Can You Enhance MIO: Memories in Orbit Gaming?
- Conclusion
What is MIO: Memories in Orbit?
You wake up in the Vessel, a space ship drifting aimlessly in space. This enormous technological ark lies now as a field of ruins, overgrown with lush vegetation and machines gone rogue.
MIO: Memories in Orbit is a single-player metroidvania that blends challenge and breathtaking sceneries. While the game may look serene at first glance, its gameplay will pleasantly surprise and challenge you — expect to die, a lot. The game will test your reflexes and patience, but the satisfaction of mastering MIO’s abilities is worth every death.
You can enhance and customize MIO’s abilities by scavenging enemy components, using Modifiers to transform MIO into a formidable force tailored to your playstyle. Players must master precision-based traversal using grappling hook, gliding, and wall-cling mechanics while facing over 30 enemy units and 15 formidable guardian bosses.
How long is MIO: Memories in Orbit?
MIO: Memories in Orbit should last between 20 and 30 hours. Total playtime varies based on exploration thoroughness, combat proficiency, and completionist tendencies:
Main Story Progression: ~15–20 hours
The demo lasts 2–3 hours, showcasing the beginning and a secret area. Metroidvania players focusing on main areas complete the story faster.
Story + Secret Discovery: ~20–25 hours
The ship features multiple biomes, secrets, and shortcuts. Exploring hidden passages and repairing robots adds hours to completion.
Full Completion & Modifiers: 25–30+ hours
Exploration, challenging combat, and an atmospheric world appeal to Hollow Knight and Celeste fans. Completionists unlocking all Modifiers and defeating optional bosses take longer.
Challenge Runs & Mastery: Additional Hours
Difficulty can be adjusted via Settings > Accessibility for easier progress. No-death runs and speedruns significantly extend playtime with repeated attempts.
Playtime varies based on how deeply you engage with precision platforming challenges, Modifier experimentation, boss mastery, and thorough exploration of the Vessel’s interconnected environments.
MIO: Memories in Orbit Progression Structure
Early Awakening & Tutorial
The demo offers 2–3 hours of atmospheric exploration, secrets, and a real skill check. Initial hours introduce MIO’s basic abilities, Hairpin grappling mechanics, and the fallen Vessel’s mysterious atmosphere.
Ability Unlocks & Exploration Expansion
Earn game-changer abilities to help MIO progress through twisted and interconnected space — climb walls like a spider or float through the air with Glide power. New traversal options unlock previously inaccessible areas and secrets.
Modifier Customization
You can enhance MIO’s abilities by scavenging enemy components and using Modifiers to transform MIO into a formidable force. Build experimentation becomes central as players discover synergies between different Modifier combinations.
Boss Encounters & Challenge Areas
The game is not afraid to be difficult, with challenging boss encounters appearing approximately four hours into gameplay. It boasts precision platforming that initially feels difficult, with double jumps and elegant grappling requiring skillful execution.
Environmental Storytelling
Interact with the Vessel’s environments to learn more about its past and memories. Repairing damaged robots and discovering memory fragments gradually reveals the ark’s tragic history.
Interconnected World Discovery
As a gigantic labyrinth, the Vessel is a true living organism with its own ecosystems, bestiaries and architectures. Late-game progression focuses on connecting disparate areas through newly acquired abilities.
All Objectives in MIO: Memories in Orbit
Master Core Traversal Abilities
Learn Hairpin grappling, wall-cling mechanics, gliding, and double-jump timing. Master precision, rhythm, and timing to find the perfect flow through environmental challenges.
Defeat Guardian Bosses
Overcome 15 formidable guardian bosses requiring pattern recognition and precise execution. Combat shares similarities with Ori games, featuring swift precision and potentially lethal encounters.
Unlock All Modifiers
Scavenge enemy components to discover Modifiers that customize MIO’s combat and traversal capabilities. Experiment with builds tailored to different playstyles and challenges.
Repair Damaged Robots
Repair damaged robots to help them unveil the Ark’s past and gain valuable bonuses. These encounters provide lore insights and gameplay rewards.
Discover Secret Areas
Discover a mysterious and inter-connected world made up of various colorful ecosystems with countless secrets and hidden passages. Thorough exploration reveals optional content and upgrades.
Revive Vessel Memories
MIO explores the Vessel to revive its memories and prevent imminent shutdown. Environmental interactions gradually restore the ark’s functionality and unlock narrative progression.
Complete Challenge Sections
Players need to develop platforming skills as sections become increasingly difficult, requiring mastery of all traversal tools. Optional challenge rooms test precision and timing.
Explore All Biomes
Navigate multiple distinct biomes across the Vessel’s vast interior, each with unique ecosystems, enemies, and environmental hazards requiring different approach strategies.
How Can You Enhance MIO: Memories in Orbit Gaming?
XMOD offers tools that can improve your MIO: Memories in Orbit experience in several ways:
Hairpin Precision Aids:
Enhanced grappling hook connection feedback, trajectory visualization, and mid-air correction assists help master the demanding precision platforming without compromising challenge.
Combat Timing Indicators:
Enemy anticipation animations telegraph attacks, and XMOD can enhance these visual cues with optional timing overlays for dodge windows and counterattack opportunities.
Modifier Management Tools:
Build calculators, Modifier synergy displays, and quick-swap configurations streamline experimentation with different ability combinations during exploration.
Accessibility Customization:
The demo includes accessibility settings for struggling players. XMOD expands these options with additional difficulty tweaks, visual assists, and control customization.
Boss Pattern Recognition:
Optional attack pattern overlays and health tracking displays help players learn challenging encounters without repeated blind attempts.
XMOD helps tailor the experience to your skill level while preserving the atmospheric wonder and precision-based satisfaction that define the game.
Conclusion
MIO: Memories in Orbit should last between 20 and 30 hours, delivering a comprehensive metroidvania experience with challenging souls-like combat and intricate precision platforming. The game launches January 20, 2026 on Steam, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch & Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and is fully Steam Deck Verified.
Fans of the Ori games will find much to love with swift and precise platforming and similarly exacting combat. Main story completion takes approximately 15–20 hours, while full exploration and Modifier mastery extend playtime to 30+ hours for completionists.
With optional XMOD enhancements, you can optimize performance, improve traversal precision, and better manage ability customization — ideal for players who want both atmospheric immersion and quality-of-life improvements while exploring the mysterious Vessel’s fallen corridors.
