2026’s Best Metroidvania Might Outclass Hollow Knight: Silksong Already

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Hollow Knight: Silksong is highly anticipated and widely praised as a fantastic Metroidvania game, living up to the expectations built over several years. However, some players have criticized its difficulty and certain features when compared to the original Hollow Knight. Interestingly, a newer Metroidvania released in 2026 appears to address these issues while still sharing many similarities with Silksong.

Okay, so I’ve been following Silksong and while most people on Steam seem to really like it, it’s not without its flaws. The game is absolutely beautiful – the art style is unique and the worlds are incredibly detailed, making exploration a real treat. However, it can be pretty tough! The open-ended design, while cool, sometimes left me feeling lost and a little frustrated, especially when I first started playing.

MIO: Memories In Orbit Represents The Pinnacle Of The Metroidvania Genre

I’m absolutely blown away by MIO: Memories in Orbit! It’s a gorgeous Metroidvania where you wander through this abandoned space station, called the Vessel. It’s become this wild mix of alien plants and malfunctioning machines, and you play as a robot trying to save it all from falling apart. What really grabbed me was how much detail is packed into the world – it feels like exploring a crumbling sci-fi city, and the lore is just as deep and fascinating as what I’ve seen from Hollow Knight: Silksong. It’s a really immersive experience!

Everything in MIO: Memories in Orbit – from the characters to the environments – is beautifully hand-drawn, giving the game the look of a vibrant, moving painting. The scenery is inspired by comics, anime, and classic art. The soundtrack is haunting and lovely, filled with choral harmonies that change depending on what you do in the game. And unlike many games in the Metroidvania style, MIO makes it fun to revisit old areas, with hidden paths and secrets waiting to be discovered around every turn.

A standout feature of Hollow Knight: Silksong is how well its combat and exploration blend together, and Memories in Orbit (MIO) does this even more uniquely. In MIO, your ability to explore and fight is directly linked to your sense of rhythm – perfectly timed actions give you extra speed and power. Getting into the flow of the game and mastering precise controls is key to success, especially as you learn new skills along the way.

Both Silksong & MIO Have Similar Approaches To Creating Fluid Gameplay

Both Silksong and MIO: Memories in Orbit let you heavily customize how you play. Silksong lets you tweak Hornet’s attacks to create a style that suits you, focusing on specific skills to overcome challenges. MIO: Memories in Orbit expands on this, offering even more options to build a protagonist perfectly tailored to your preferences.

In MIO, the player character’s grappling hook isn’t just for getting around – it can also be used to dodge attacks or pull enemies closer. Players can tailor their playstyle by sacrificing defense for more damage, or weakening their attacks to withstand more punishment. Almost every combat ability in MIO is customizable, letting players create a uniquely personal experience. Like mastering the combat in Silksong, customizing your fighting style in MIO: Memories in Orbit feels smooth and satisfying.

Both Silksong and MIO offer engaging combat, but in different ways. Silksong focuses on how well each move connects with the next – like perfectly timed blocks or using aerial attacks to evade enemies. MIO, on the other hand, emphasizes quick, aggressive gameplay and customizable gadgets. MIO’s base movement is faster than Silksong’s, resulting in quicker, more action-packed fights. The clear feel of movement in each direction makes MIO especially well-suited for the fast-paced style of a Metroidvania game.

The smooth and engaging combat in Silksong extends to its exploration, letting you use your skills to navigate the world. A key strength of the game is how well each ability helps you move around, though some areas have frustrating obstacles. Compared to other Metroidvanias, MIO: Memories in Orbit excels at creating refined gameplay systems that feel fair, unlike certain challenging sections in Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Do you believe MIO: Memories in Orbit could be a better Metroidvania game than Hollow Knight: Silksong? Share your thoughts in the comments or discuss it on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-01 18:40