MIO: Memories in Orbit launches Jan. 20 on Game Pass, Switch 2

MIO: Memories in Orbit landed on consoles and PC, arriving on Xbox Game Pass at launch and opening access to a handcrafted, painterly Metroidvania set aboard a derelict ark called the Vessel. Developed by Douze Dixièmes and published by Focus Entertainment, the game puts players in control of the nimble android MIO as they explore overgrown corridors, recover lost memories, and work to prevent the ship’s shutdown.

The release covers PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Windows via Steam, Epic, and the Microsoft Store, and both generations of Nintendo Switch hardware. Steam Deck support means the title is playable on Valve’s handheld, expanding options for portable PC players. Owners of the original Switch release receive the Switch 2 version at no extra cost, an upgrade path that will matter to anyone balancing hardware upgrades without wanting to repurchase a favorite indie.

Art direction is a major selling point. The studio describes the visuals as hand-drawn and graphic-novel inspired, with painterly backgrounds and animated page-like transitions that emphasize atmosphere as much as traversal. The soundtrack is by Nicolas Gueguen, adding an original OST that complements the game’s mood-driven exploration. Those who want to test the waters can try the demo available on digital storefronts, and trailers and store pages went live with the launch.

Pricing is straightforward: the full game is set at $19.99 with limited discounts available at launch. The Game Pass availability offers immediate value for subscribers who want to sample an indie Metroidvania without an added purchase, while the low price point and demo make it accessible to players who prefer to buy outright after a hands-on try.

For the local community of Metroidvania fans, speedrunners, and art-focused players, MIO offers both a tight platforming loop and a strong visual identity to discuss and dissect. The combination of a compact price, Game Pass inclusion, and a free Switch 2 upgrade lowers barriers to entry and encourages multiplayer conversation around routes, memory recovery strategies, and soundtrack highlights.

What comes next is player response: expect guides, route breakdowns, and community impressions to appear quickly as folks push for sequence breaks and optimal builds. If you follow handheld play or are eyeing the Switch 2 library, MIO is a neat, budget-friendly entry with an aesthetic that will keep community streams and clips rolling through the weeks ahead.