Essential Tips & Tricks for MIO: Memories in Orbit

Hitting an enemy resets your double jump - this is GAME-CHANGING. Combat encounters become mobility tools.

• Chain attacks between multiple enemies to stay airborne indefinitely
• Intentionally engage enemy groups in platforming sections
• Practice timing attacks to maintain altitude
• Downward strikes also reset jumps (even though they don't deal damage)

MIO's combat allows 8-directional attacks (up, down, sides, diagonals)

• Attack upward to hit aerial enemies without jumping
• Downward strikes bounce you upward (jump reset)
• Diagonal attacks for precise positioning
• Side attacks control horizontal momentum mid-air

Dodge provides invincibility frames - timing is everything

• Dodge THROUGH attacks, not away from them
• Practice i-frame windows in safe areas before boss fights
• Enhanced Dodge modifier increases i-frame duration
• Can be used mid-air for aerial evasion

Energy bar (bottom of screen) powers abilities

• Recharges when touching ground
• Energy Leecher modifier: restore energy on hit (NEVER touch ground!)
• Save energy for crucial moments in boss fights
• Learn which attacks consume how much energy

Hairpin Grapple maintains velocity

• Build speed by chaining multiple grapple points
• Launch across massive gaps using momentum
• Swing low to gain speed, release at upward angle
• Practice in safe areas before combat applications

Environmental destruction reveals secrets

• Attack suspicious walls (look for cracks)
• Press Down+X to phase through certain leaves/floors
• Use Slingshot Punch on distant barriers
• Ice gates block valuable resources (return with abilities)

Find Shii in Severed Spine ASAP

• Donate 500 Nacre for basic map access (view through Shii)
• Donate 2000 more Nacre for portable map (access anywhere)
• Essential quality-of-life for exploration
• Reveals visited areas, not full layout

Metroidvania golden rule

• Wall Climb unlocks vertical secrets in early areas
• Glide reaches distant platforms
• Slingshot Punch breaks barriers seen earlier
• Flowing Steps (optional ability) accesses waterfall areas

Listen carefully

• Hidden areas have distinct sound effects when nearby
• Collectibles emit subtle audio pings
• Boss telegraph attacks with audio cues
• Environmental hazards have warning sounds

Vertical exploration is crucial

• Climb walls to find upper secrets
• Drop through hidden floors (Down+X)
• Glide to platforms barely visible from main path
• Some areas have false ceilings

Health is king in difficult fights

• Costs 200 Nacre + 1 Old Core
• Requires 20 matrix slots
• +1 health layer changes boss difficulty dramatically
• Purchase additional matrix slots from Mel if needed

Limited but not overly scarce

• 15-20 available in full playthrough
• Protective Overlay is must-buy
• Other high-value purchases: Effective Dismantlement, matrix expansions
• None are "wasted" on wrong choices - all useful

Death loses unbanked Nacre

• Use Crystallisers to convert to Nacre Droplets (permanent)
• Crystallisers found in major hub areas
• Before tough boss attempts, bank everything
• Portable Crystalliser modifier adds convenience

Rescue NPCs to expand Mel's inventory

• SIN unlocks: Thinner Frame, Reduced Latency
• COS unlocks: Pain Conversion, Defragmentation
• TAN unlocks: The Heart's Favourite, Portable Crystalliser
• All rescues missable until post-game cleanup

Progression priority

• New abilities open map areas (Dodge, Glide, Wall Climb)
• Modifiers enhance existing capabilities
• Don't grind Nacre for modifiers before exploring
• Natural exploration provides sufficient Nacre

First attempts should be defensive

• Observe full attack rotation before committing to offense
• Identify safe damage windows
• Note attack telegraphs (visual/audio cues)
• Accept first attempt might be reconnaissance

Don't blow everything at once

• Maintain consistent DPS rather than burst damage
• Save dodge for crucial attack dodging
• Keep energy reserve for emergency escapes
• Ability rotation prevents downtime

Movement efficiency keeps you alive

• Some attacks can be walked under/over (no dodge needed)
• Unnecessary dodges waste stamina and positioning
• Learn which attacks require full evasion vs. simple movement
• Stay close to bosses to avoid projectile attacks

Free full heal before fights

• Basins often hidden near boss arenas
• Check above/behind arena entrance
• Single-use until next Network Gate
• Worth exploring for before tough fights

Counterintuitive but true

• Close range avoids projectiles
• Constant damage staggers some bosses
• Defensive play prolongs exposure to attacks
• Learn which bosses punish aggression vs. reward it

No shame in difficulty customization

• Invincible Mode: Learn patterns without punishment
• Pacifist Mode: Enemies only aggro when hit first (great for backtracking)
• Ground Healing: 5 seconds on ground = non-recoverable shield
• All assists toggleable anytime

Unlocked mid-game

• Network Gates become fast travel points
• Eliminates tedious backtracking
• Essential for collectible cleanup
• Unlocked automatically through story progression

Mental or physical notes

• Ability-gated areas to return to
• Suspicious walls to check later
• NPC locations for quest completion
• Areas with unusually difficult enemies (likely guarding secrets)

Dialogue changes with progression

• New information unlocks after bosses
• Some NPCs move locations
• Hidden quests triggered by repeated conversations
• Lore fragments reward thorough NPC interaction

Skilled technique

• Use Hairpin during attack animations to cancel and reposition
• Maintains combat flow
• Essential for speedruns
• Practice in low-stakes areas first

Broken build technique

• Equip Energy Leecher modifier (energy restore on hit)
• Attack enemies mid-air to maintain energy
• Attacks reset double jump
• Never touch ground if enough enemies present

Advanced movement tech

• Intentionally take damage for knockback momentum
• Useful in speedruns
• Thinner Frame modifier increases knockback
• Risk/reward technique for experts

Strategic modifier changes

• Different builds for exploration vs. combat
• Boss-specific modifier loadouts
• Network Gates allow free respec
• Plan builds around matrix slot constraints