u/Mystic1217

So this is just a random personal story I thought someone here might appreciate. I've played 60 endings into Hundred line so far (having a phenomenal time with it) and have recently gotten my boyfriend into playing it too. Everytime we talk about the game without fail the conversation eventually drifts into an in depth conversation about Eito. Even talking about routes where he's dead the conversation still eventually drifts over to him.

We have dubbed this the "Aotsuki test" in the same vein as the Bechdel test. Debating on putting up an effective "swear jar" for it as a joke. We have a handful of other friends playing the game and the same thing happens with them too. Its become a running bit for us at this point.

Maybe it's just the circles I'm running it but recently it feels like there's been a big wave of people getting into Remake and Rebirth. It makes sense with the Switch 2 ports, Revelation on the horizon and Tifa being announced for Street Fighter. There's a lot of buzz for Final Fantasy rn and that great to see! As someone who's played the games at launch on PS4/PS5 it's really fun seeing people post online about how fun Wall Market, how dumb Johnny is, how satisfying Queen's blood, etc. Its genuinely helped get me even more excited for Revelation!

I just finished up my time with MIO: Memories in Orbit and I have to tell more people about this game! I think it might be my new favorite Metroidvania of all time (overtaking Metroid Dread). It was shown off in a couple indie showcases but seems to have gone largely under the radar. MIO is all about exploring a derelict arc managed by robots as it floats through space. The ship is run by the 6 ethereal "voices" known as the Spine, the Breath, the Blood, the Eye, the Hand and the Heart. They are the embodiment of various systems of the vessel, the Spine controls the information network, the Breath controls the oxygen levels/manages plant life, etc. The story is primarily told nonlinearly through finding artifacts and interacting with NPCs around the world. The game feels very sad and philosophical but not depressing in the same way something like Hollow Knight or Nier is. Despite everything it feels distinctly warm and comforting. The game is intensely emotional through its music, visual design and overall atmosphere.

Gameplay is very fun if not revolutionary. Takes a couple hours for it to open up but the movement really becomes super fun to engage with zipping around everywhere with a little grappling tendril and going through utterly brutal platforming sequences. The game takes HEAVY inspiration from Hollow Knight (including stealing the charm system wholesale) but where as I'd say Hollow Knight is about bosses with some platforming on the side. MIO is all about the platforming but also has cool bosses every so often (Doesn't stop it from having one of the coolest final bosses ever though). The platforming is HARD though I will say. I love that aspect of it but it will kick your butt more than a couple times. I haven't been challenged to that extent since Celeste. The world has so many secrets and a couple world puzzles that genuinely blew my mind. The characters possess such differing philosophies and views on the current situation. Being robots everyone is pretty stoic but that adds to how profound it feels listening to them espouse their thoughts on the vessel.

It has music that digs into your soul not unlike a good Nier or Xenoblade track. In concert with the stunning visuals it really helps draw out the emotions of the world. Alongside the gameplay and narrative it really does just work in perfect concert to make something greater than the sum of its already stellar parts. You can really feel that someone had a vision here, it feels like a genuine work of art without being too preachy or direct. This game has become something special to me and I really wanna see it get the love it deserves!