MIO: Memories in Orbit (2026) – Ultimate Early Game Progression Guide for Beginners

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This guide is tailored for beginners searching for early progression routes, survival tips, and the best abilities to unlock first in MIO: Memories in Orbit — a single‑player Metroidvania set aboard a massive decaying spaceship known as the Vessel. You play as MIO, a nimble robot exploring overgrown corridors, uncovering memories, battling rogue machines, and mastering precision movement and combat.

The world doesn’t hold your hand — the map doesn’t auto‑unlock, enemies are unforgiving, and resource management matters. That’s why a solid early progression plan will save time, frustration, and unnecessary deaths.

You wake up alone on the Vessel — a forgotten ark drifting through space, its systems failing, and its corridors tangled with flora and peril. In MIO: Memories in Orbit, early progression isn’t just about brute strength — it’s about mastering traversal, understanding mechanics, and planning your route through a meticulously crafted Metroidvania maze. This guide will help you cut through the confusion and build momentum with smart early decisions.

πŸ”§ Core Survival Skills & Early Upgrades

✅ A. The Grappling Hairpin

Your first major ability — the Hairpin — acts as a grappling hook and a lifesaver. As you explore, you’ll use it constantly for traversal and combat. Learning to chain grapple movements will open up hidden areas and make navigating the Vessel more fluid.

* Priority: Essential early‑game ability
* Why It Matters: Opens up movement, dodging, and exploration paths

✅ B. Understanding Modifiers

Modifiers are spread throughout the world and grant powerful passive effects like revealing enemy health bars or adding defensive boosts. Early on, focus on modifiers that increase survivability (e.g., health regeneration, extra protection bursts) or quality‑of‑life effects (like enemy health display).

Tips for Modifiers

  • Most modifiers are hidden; check every nook and chest.

  • You can also purchase modifiers with in‑game currency Nacre at shops like Mel’s.

  • More Modifier slots appear as you expand your Allocation Matrix later.

πŸ›‘️ C. Coating Components (Health Upgrades)

MIO: Memories in Orbit Early Game Progression Guide for Beginners

Unlike traditional RPGs, health growth comes from collecting Coating Components. Every 4 components permanently increase your Protective Coat (health bar). Early zones hide many of these components and some are even purchasable from Mel when her shop expands.

Early Priority

  • Focus on gathering Coating Components as soon as possible

  • Check Mel’s shop frequently — she often stocks useful upgrades

🌍 Safest Early Zones to Explore (Progression Path)

🧭 A. Nexus & Immediate Vicinity

Start here. The Nexus is your hub and safe zone. Practice basic combat, learn enemy patterns, and make Mel’s shop a regular stop.

🌿 B. Haven (Right Side)

After securing basic abilities and modifiers, heading toward Haven is a solid choice. Enemies here are more manageable, and the area offers valuable Nacre and minor upgrades.

πŸ•―️ C. Bell Tower Lower Levels

Before attempting tougher platforming segments, clear out the lower Bell Tower to snag modifiers and explore safe pathways.

⚠️ Zone to Avoid Early: Metropolis
This sprawling city region contains higher‑level enemies and complex pathways better tackled once you’ve unlocked glide, crawl, and more modifiers.

πŸ—Ί️ Map & Fast Travel – Don’t Explore Blind

Unlike many Metroidvanias, you start with no usable map. You unlock it by offering raw Nacre to an NPC named Shii near the Nexus. Once enough Nacre is contributed, you unlock initial map viewing — and with more contributions, you can access the map everywhere and track your progress more easily.

Key tips for map use

  • Map updates only occur when you visit Network Gates (save checkpoints).

  • Only after unlocking and saving near an Overseer will the map properly track your location.

Fast Travel

  • Unlock Overseers throughout the Vessel to enable fast travel between discovered regions — essential for efficient exploration.

⏱️ Progression Shortcuts & Time‑Savers

πŸͺ™ Bank Nacre Often

Nacre is the main currency dropped by enemies. If you die, you lose unbanked Nacre — so bank frequently at Network Gates before tackling risky corridors.

⚙️ Use Accessibility Options When Stuck

If a segment or boss feels repetitive or unforgiving, the game’s assist features (like difficulty tweaks) can help you get past roadblocks without major frustration.

πŸ“Œ Landmarks Over Memory

Since the map won’t update in real time, rely on distinctive landmarks and memorable environmental cues to help you orient — a method many early players recommend.

πŸš€ Suggested Early Upgrade Roadmap

  1. Mandatory: Unlock and master Hairpin Grapple

  2. Early Combat: Learn dodge and evade moves

  3. Exploration Boost: Unlock Glide and reach Haven

  4. Health Priority: Collect Coating Components

  5. Modifiers: Build a survivability‑weighted loadout

  6. Fast Travel: Unlock Overseers to cut down backtracking

πŸ“Œ Final Thoughts & Community Call‑to‑Action

The early hours of MIO: Memories in Orbit are designed to be rewarding, not just challenging. Every new ability you unlock expands your world, and every modifier reshapes your playstyle. By focusing on the right upgrades, exploring manageable zones, and learning how the map and currency systems work, you transform overwhelming exploration into confident, enjoyable progress.

πŸ”₯ Your Turn: What was your first major early game breakthrough — a hidden shortcut, a modifier combo, or mastering a tricky grapple route? Share your thoughts in the comments to help other new explorers! 

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