As the Hollow Knight Silksong wait continues, try gorgeous new Metroidvania MIO

With no more than a passing mention at the Summer Game Fest showcase, the wait for Hollow Knight Silksong feels more agonizing than ever. A week of backend Steam updates have raised anticipation to the max, and we're tingling for news. There's still a chance; the Xbox Games event on Sunday would be a reasonable place for it to appear, given its presence on Game Pass. But rather than waiting, why not satisfy those action platformer cravings with stunning new Metroidvania MIO: Memories in Orbit, which you can try for free right now courtesy of a just-released demo.

Built by French developer Douze Dixièmes and published by Space Marine 2 studio Focus Entertainment, MIO: Memories in Orbit is the perfect salve to those Metroidvania cravings. It's absolutely beautiful, captivating the eye from first glance with its detailed environments. As the eponymous MIO, a nimble robot that's awoken in an abandoned technological ark called The Vessel, you must set out to attempt to prevent the ship's shutdown, revive its lost memories, and discover who you are.

The Vessel is a living organism that plays home to a range of diverse ecosystems. In true Metroidvania fashion, you'll gradually unlock new ways to traverse the environment and access new areas – a grappling hook, wall clinging, gliding, and so on. MIO can enhance their abilities by scavenging components from defeated enemies or the world, offering a wealth of build options. You could employ your grapple to evade or wield it as an offensive lasso, for example, or sacrifice your shield to earn a damage boost.

With more than 30 enemy types to discover and 15 battles against the guardians that roam The Vessel, you'll need to carefully consider how you adapt to each fight and counter your opponent's strengths. It looks pretty magnificent, and now feels like the perfect time to give it a shot before the inevitable wave of Silksong hype actually crashes over us. A new demo has just landed on Steam, allowing you to get an early taste without spending a thing.

The MIO: Memories in Orbit demo is out now on Steam. The full game is scheduled to launch in 2025. Head here to download it. Douze Dixièmes warns that its gentle looks belie a challenging game: "Expect to die. A lot!" The developer does note, however, that difficulty settings are included in the demo version if you'd like a less stressful experience.

Alternatively, we've rounded up the best action games and the best platform games on PC right now to ensure you've got plenty of options.

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